Before the invention of the clothesline, people used various methods to dry their laundry, depending on the geographical location, climate, and available resources. Here are some traditional ways people dried their laundry:
Laying on Rocks or Grass: In sunny and warm climates, people spread their wet clothes on rocks, grassy fields, or other flat surfaces to dry under the sun.
Hanging over Bushes or Shrubs: Clothes were draped over bushes, shrubs, or tree branches to catch the sun and breeze.
Drying Racks: Wooden or metal drying racks were commonly used. These racks were placed outdoors, and laundry was laid flat or hung on them to dry.
Walls and Fences: Wet clothes were hung over walls or fences to take advantage of the sun and wind.
Indoor Drying: During inclement weather or in colder climates, people hung laundry indoors near the fireplace or in areas with good ventilation.
Clothes Horses: Wooden or metal clothes horses were used indoors to hang clothes for drying. These structures resembled the shape of a horse and allowed garments to be hung on horizontal bars.
Hanging from Windows or Balconies: In urban areas with limited outdoor space, people would hang laundry from windows or balconies.
Wringing and Beating: Before drying, laundry was often hand-wrung or beaten with sticks or paddles to remove excess water, which would speed up the drying process.
Using Clothelines or Rope Systems: Though not as sophisticated as modern clotheslines, people used to tie ropes between two structures, like trees or poles, to create makeshift clotheslines.
Stone or Brick Walls: In some cultures, stone or brick walls with extended ledges or grooves were built specifically for drying laundry.
These methods required an understanding of weather patterns, airflow, and the ability to adapt to local conditions. While these traditional drying methods were effective to some extent, the advent of clotheslines and later mechanical dryers revolutionized the laundry drying process, making it more convenient and efficient.