Strung Out

Clotheslines growing more popular in U.S.

The clothesline, nemesis of backyard cyclists everywhere, is making a comeback thanks to green awareness and energy costs. Many communities and homeowner's associations have banned the misunderstood expanse of rope, assuming that neighbors aren't interested in each other's dirty -- or clean -- laundry. But as a burgeoning "right to dry" movement airs its concerns about energy-sucking dryers, some states are writing legislation to override clothesline prohibition. Why try line dry? Let us count the ways: you can save money and reduce your risk of dryer fires, and your threads will smell fresher, be free of static cling, and last longer. Plus, nothing entices a good-looking neighbor like a line full of sexy skivvies.