DIY travel clothesline

[Ginkgo]

I love this! I followed Miking's instructions with 18 feet of cord I bought at REI, and I used it on my trip to a farmhouse in rural France where I did not have the option of hanging up my laundry in the bathrooms. I almost wish I made it longer, but as it is, it suited my needs very nicely. I primarily used it to dry underwear. I did my laundry in the sink with my J.R. Liggett's shampoo bar soap. The tension within the braid allowed me to stick the fabric into it, which the braid held really well with no worry of the underwear hitting the floor. No clothespins needed.

It cost me less than $5 and now I have the confidence to delve even more deeply into minimalist packing. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this tutorial, Miking!

[jeff]

If you have a latex sensitivity/allergy, you might want to consider using silicone tubing. Even with the sheathing, wet shock cord could potentially transfer the latex compounds to your clothing.

[Miking]

Im glad to see many people are finding this helpful, I have added a TB triangle hook and S-biner to mine using a tripled girth hitch, I tried to post a picture but it isn't letting me, I think I have filled up my allotment of pictures. I think I can go into the "manage attachments" part and delete some old ones but I don't want to delete photos in use elsewhere on the forum... Maybe one of our lovely moderators can chime in?

Bchaplin, 1/8" is the perfect width, you can go a bit skinnier or fatter but you are making sacrifices to strength or bulkiness

Scribe, I'm glad you are getting use out of the girth hitch, it is quite handy, sometimes I'll use it to hang TB pouches,cubes and side effects from a doubled up 16" key strap. I find it funny that most of my posts feature some sort of knot, I'll make good boy scouts out of everyone yet!

[bchaplin]

This is great, thanks! Your instructions and photos make it easy to understand.

* I got 16 feet of 1/8 inch shock cord at REI. Not sure if that's the right width -- guess I'll find out. It cost $4, so that's cheaper than the last pre-made clothesline I bought, which didn't work very well.

[thorn]

I like to simplify things. Every hotel I stay at has a shower and shower rod. After everyone is done taking a shower, then wash clothes. Hang them to dry over the shower rod, on towel rods, or on hangers. No clothes line needed.

[Nli]

Cool! Bihnions: I am not a forum expert and a total search dropout. Is there a way to create a personal bookmark to this thread for future reference? Thank you!

[maverick]

Tonight's laundry - done early enough that it should dry by the morning.

I re-did the line so that it all gets used - ends up running 6 times across. I will braid it as you described when I get home.

[scribe]

Miking would you mind making a version with Tom Bihn hooks instead of knots?

This sounds like a job for double carabiners - I keep adding them to my orders as I find them so useful!

If the towel bar is too thick for a carabiner, the girth hitch is dead easy (thanks, Miking, for introducing me to this term!):



So you just need to work out how to fasten the other end, since the girth hitch requires a free end.

[SKIMT]

The one I made using Miking's instructions has worked fantastic! My S25 now seems so big for even a week trip since I could care less about rotating between 3 shirts, 2 golf pants, socks, etc...

[maverick]

Dear Miking,

Your post inspired me, and though I didn't braid my clothesline (yet!), my clothes are drying in my hotel bathroom!

I am hoping they will dry before I head out, otherwise I can leave the do not disturb sign up.

Thanks for a great idea!

I think with some discipline (doing laundry everyday, early enough in the day), it should be easy to travel with just two changes of clothes (including what you're wearing)!

[SKIMT]

I made my own clothesline just like this one over the weekend - cost me a grand total of $3.

Thanks for the awesome tip!

[flaneuse]

On my list of things to make before our next trip. Thanks!!

[backpack]

Miking would you mind making a version with Tom Bihn hooks instead of knots?

I am. unfortunately, related to Mr Bean and Inspector Clouseau when it comes to "complicated" (to me) D.I.Y

I am bound to bound myself on my way to freshen up or tie myself into a pretzel while unravelling the mystery of the room service menu.

[SKIMT]

This is very cool! Thank you - I will try this the next time I travel!

Ditto!!!! Thanks for taking time to share this great idea!

[maverick]

This is very cool! Thank you - I will try this the next time I travel!