How to Keep Birds Off Your Clothesline For Good

You just finished doing the laundry, and you step outside to hang your clothes in the sun. Everything smells fresh, the breeze is perfect, and then… you hear it. Chirp. Flutter. Plop. Yep. Birds. Again. And guess what? That white shirt you just washed now has a lovely little “gift” from above.

Been there? Same. I used to think my clothesline had a neon sign that said “Bird Toilet – Open 24/7.” So if you’re tired of birds using your laundry as target practice, and you’ve been frantically Googling how to keep birds off your clothesline, let’s fix that. I’ve put together every trick I’ve tried, seen, or heard from other bird-brained victims like us 😅

Ready to fight back? Let’s do this.

Use Reflective Deterrents (Birds Hate Shiny Things)

Ever noticed how birds freak out when something sparkles in the sunlight? It’s not just because they hate bling. Shiny objects mess with their vision and make them nervous. Perfect.

What Works:

• Old CDs or DVDs tied to the clothesline with fishing line
• Aluminum foil strips twisted so they catch the light from all angles
• Reflective tape that shimmers and flutters in the breeze

Why It Helps:

The movement and light reflections scare birds away. They’re constantly watching for predators and shiny distractions spook them fast.

My Tip:

I strung up some old Justin Timberlake CDs from 2003. The birds hated them. I mean, who knew JT would save my laundry from bird poop?

Hang Fake Predators (But Not Just Any Ones)

Let’s get one thing straight. Some fake owls are about as scary as a teddy bear. If you’re going this route, make it count.

Good Options:

• Hawk or owl decoys with moving heads or eyes
• Plastic snakes curled up around the clothesline pole
• Inflatable predator balloons with those creepy reflective eyes

Things to Avoid:

• Static, dusty owl decoys that haven’t moved since 2007
• Halloween-store rejects that no one takes seriously

Pro Tip:

Move the decoy around every few days. Birds catch on quickly when your “predator” hasn’t twitched since last month.

Ever wondered why that plastic owl didn’t work? It’s because it’s just chillin’ like a statue. Gotta keep things moving, or the birds will call your bluff.

Install a Clothesline Cover or Shelter

This one’s more permanent but seriously effective.

What It Is:

Picture a mini roof over your line. You can go all out or keep it simple:

• Retractable canopy or sail shade
• DIY tarp setup with PVC or wood framing
• Pop-up gazebo if your clothesline is movable

Why This Works:

If birds can’t fly directly over your clothes, they’re less likely to drop a bomb on them. It also helps shield your laundry from surprise rain. So it’s a two-for-one deal.

One Time I Screwed This Up:

I rigged up a tarp using bungee cords, but it sagged in the middle. The next morning? A pigeon was sitting in the dip like it was his personal hammock. Lesson learned. Keep that tarp tight.

Bird Spikes (No, They’re Not Cruel)

I know the name sounds intense but hear me out. Bird spikes don’t hurt birds. They just say “This is not a landing zone”.

Where to Use Them:

• On top of the clothesline poles
• Along any fences or ledges nearby
• Wherever birds like to perch and scope things out

What to Look For:

• Plastic spikes that are easy to install and pet-safe
• Flexible spike strips for curving surfaces

Bonus Tip:

Birds love staging areas. If you remove the nearby hangout spots, they’re less likely to loiter around your laundry.

IMO, spikes are the silent MVP. Not flashy, not techy, just quietly doing their job.

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Hang Laundry Strategically (Yes, It Matters)

Believe it or not, your laundry placement actually affects how attractive it looks to birds.

Try These Tricks:

• Hang light-colored or patterned clothes on the outer lines
• Use clothespins with little bells or mini spinners
• Alternate between clothes and deterrents like foil or hanging tape

My Routine:

I hang towels and big items like sheets on the outer lines and keep my delicate stuff safely in the middle. Ever since, my white T-shirts have been poop-free champions.

Use Smells Birds Hate (Yes, They Have Noses)

Most people don’t know this, but birds have a decent sense of smell. You can totally use that to your advantage.

What Works:

• Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or citronella
• Garlic water spray made with minced garlic and warm water
• White vinegar spray diluted with water around poles or railings

Important:

Please don’t spray your actual laundry unless you’re cool with smelling like bird repellent. Apply these around the area instead.

Pro Tip:

Soak cotton balls in essential oil and stuff them into mesh bags. Hang one on each end of the clothesline. Smells fresh to you and funky to them.

Use Motion Sensors or Wind-Powered Gadgets

If you’ve got a little budget or want something low-effort, this section’s for you:

Motion-Based Options:

• Motion-activated sprinklers that surprise any feathered visitors
• Ultrasonic bird repellers that only birds can hear
• Lights or predator sounds triggered by movement

Wind-Powered Options:

• Garden spinners
• Hanging chimes
• Whirligigs with arms that flap or spin

Birds don’t love unpredictable movement. They’re creatures of habit. So if your laundry area suddenly gets unpredictable, they’ll bounce.

FYI I once installed a spinner that looked like a psychedelic lizard. It scared the birds and also made the neighbor’s dog bark at it daily. Mixed results.

Quick List: 10 Extra Tricks That Also Help

Short on time? Try a few of these too:

• Don’t feed birds near your clothesline
• Move your line occasionally if it’s portable
• Clean bird poop right away to avoid encouraging repeat visits
• Lay gravel under the line so they avoid landing
• Set up a second dummy line with just deterrents
• Play predator calls on a loop from a Bluetooth speaker
• Add zip ties to the line to make it uncomfortable for perching
• Keep nearby trees trimmed
• Paint your line poles in a bright metallic color
• Let your dog hang out nearby while laundry dries

What NOT to Do (Because the Internet Lies Sometimes)

Let’s bust a few myths real quick:

• Skip sticky gel traps. They’re not just mean, they can actually injure birds
• Avoid cheap plastic predators that look more like toys
• Don’t rely on just one trick for months at a time

Ever had a trick work like magic for a week and then totally flop? Yep. Birds are sneaky little learners. That’s why switching things up is key.

Conclusion: Time to Take Back Your Laundry Days

If you’ve made it this far, congrats. You now know more about keeping birds off a clothesline than 99 percent of people.

Here’s the deal. Birds are clever, but they’re not invincible. With the right combo of deterrents, some creativity, and maybe a touch of personal vendetta, you can protect your laundry and your sanity.

My personal recipe? Reflective tape plus peppermint oil plus a plastic snake named Larry. Works like a charm. Weird combo but hey, no poop.

Now go hang that laundry with confidence. And the next time a bird flies over, you can look up and say, “Not today, feathery menace. Not today”.