My laundry room is right off my kitchen and on hot days I can really heat up the house if I'm feeling particularly domestic (okay, so maybe it doesn't happen very often, but the point is that it does happen). While I finally have a main floor laundry, I don't have direct access to the backyard without trekking through the basement. It was my husband who suggested a deck-sized line might work, and that was the all the urging I needed to locate a small 20 foot retractable line for about $13.00 at Home Depot. They also carry a 40 foot version for under $20.00.

The line was super easy to install and is small enough to stay unobtrusive (unless it's strung out across your tiny deck with swimwear pinned along it). I was so excited to hang my laundry on the line for the first time, no matter how it looked (thankfully the neighbors don't have a clear view). Maybe it's because I know it's a great alternative to heated drying or because I can't help but think of my Nannie and her old clothesline; but for whatever reason, it makes me smile. . . and this is laundry we're talking about.

So I only have to hide these from him till I discover their "full potential"! You see the potential don't you?