How to Repair a Broken Clothesline

A clothesline is a traditional apparatus for drying clothes and other laundry. Commonly installed outdoors, clotheslines are used in various configurations ranging from a single line between two poles to more elaborate rotating models. A small diameter rope or cord on which damp clothes are hung to dry is typically used . A break in a rope or cord can occur but can be quickly repaired in a few steps.

Trim the broken ends of the cord or rope with a pair of scissors. Remove only a small amount of material from the rope or cord with the scissors.

Melt the trimmed ends of nylon rope with a lighter or match. Hold a flame two to three inches away from the end of the nylon cord or rope so the fibres will melt together, making the rope or cord easier to tie.

Hold one length of the broken line in the left hand and the other broken length in the right hand.

Tie a square knot to rejoin the broken clothesline by pulling the left end of the rope alongside the right end of the rope. Overlap the two lengths of rope for two to three inches and apply tension to the line if necessary to pull the two lengths alongside each other.

Cross the left end of the rope over the right end of the rope. Feed the left end of the rope under the right end of the rope. Pull the left end so it extends upward from behind the right end of the rope. Turn the right end of the rope up also. At this point the ropes should be crossed with both ends turned upward.

Turn the left end of the rope back toward the main left length, forming a loop. Pull the right end of the rope or cord around behind the loop and then through the loop. Hold both free ends of the rope or cord and pull to tighten the square knot.