The Best Clothesline Selection Guide for Your Location, Space, & Budget
When it comes to drying your garments, a clothesline might not seem like the most glamorous purchase, but it’s certainly one of the most practical!
The right clothesline can save you time, money, and valuable space—while helping your laundry dry to perfection.
Whether you have a large family to manage, limited room in your home, or simply want something durable and reliable, this ultimate guide will help you choose the perfect clothesline for your needs. TABLE OF CONTENTS
How Much Space Do You Really Need?
Before you get too excited about new clotheslines, take a moment to think about the space you have available.
Line space your washing load determines the amount of hanging area needed for to accommodate your clothes on a clothesline.
If you're a busy family with multiple large loads a week, you’ll want a clothesline that offers plenty of drying space and can handle heavy loads.
However, if you live in an apartment or have a narrow space, a retractable or folding clothesline might be the ideal choice. These are perfect for tucking away when not in use, making them a great solution for smaller areas.
Choosing the Right Clothesline for Your Home
Location is one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a clothesline. Do you have an outdoor area, like a backyard or garden?
Then an outdoor clothesline is your best bet. A traditional rotary clothesline, like the famous Hills Hoist, gives you lots of line space and makes hanging washing a breeze.
If your outdoor area is limited, an indoor clothesline or wall fixed folding clothesline might be a good alternative.
Also, durability matters. After all, you want a clothesline that can handle your regular washing, come rain, hail, or shine. Go for one made from galvanised steel or durable metal, which will withstand the harsh Aussie weather.
What Type of New Clothesline Should You Choose?
With so many options available, it’s helpful to know a little more about each type of clothesline before making your decision. Here are some of the most popular options:
Folding Head Rotary
A folding head rotary clothesline is a practical and space-saving outdoor drying solution.
Its rotating head allows for effortless access to laundry from a central spot, while the arms conveniently fold down and can be removed from the ground socket when extra backyard space is needed.Â
Built for durability, it features multiple strong lines that provide ample drying capacity for large laundry loads. This versatile and efficient clothesline is a smart choice for modern homes, offering both functionality and flexibility.
Folding Frame Clothes Line
If you're short on space but still need to dry a large wash load, folding frame clothes lines are a fantastic choice.
These fold down clotheslines are installed on to your wall, and you can fold them down when you’re not using them, there are models that have purposely designed for narrow spaces and take up no foot print of land!
Whether you're installing a fold down clothesline indoors or outdoors, these handy clothes lines are a great space-saving solution for any home plus the larger models can carry a heavy load or two of washing.
Ground Mounting Kits
If you don't have a suitable wall to install your fold down clothesline, then a ground-mounted clothesline is a great option.
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These models can be permanently fixed in the ground with a sturdy steel ground mounting kit, making them ideal for larger homes or backyards.
Whether mounted in soil or on concrete, these clotheslines offer fantastic stability and durability, in in really windy conditions, for everyday use.
Custom-Made Clothesline
Sometimes, standard clotheslines just don’t fit the bill. If you have unique location or laundry requirements, consider an Air Dry custom-made clothesline.
At The Clothesline Store, you can tailor your clothesline to your exact needs, from size to colour, ensuring it blends perfectly with your home's exterior.
Custom options also allow you to select the length and depth of your clothesline, so whether you need 9 metres or 48 metres, there’s a solution for you.
Fixed Head Rotary Clothesline
The rotary clothes line is an iconic choice for Aussie homes with lots of space. Offering multiple lines around a central pole, these are perfect for families with large laundry loads.
Remember, rotary clothes lines should not be confused with the folding rotary as the fixed head model can not be folded down nor does it have a ground socket like the other models, but the amount of hanging area they offer more than makes up for it.
The classic Hills Hoist is a staple for a reason—this sturdy and reliable clothesline can handle big washes, even those king-sized sheets. It’s also great for a good breeze to naturally dry your clothes.
Retractable Clotheslines
Perfect for homes with limited space, a retractable clothes line is a smart way to maximise your hanging area.
These clotheslines can be mounted on the wall, or installed on purpose made posts and extended when you need them, and then retracted back into their compact casing once you're done.
Retractable lines can be used both indoors and outdoors, so you don’t have to worry about the weather and provide a surprising amount of hanging space —just extend the line when you need it and retract when you’re finished.
The Benefits of Line Drying vs. Using a Dryer
While clothes dryers are a convenient solution, line drying has so many benefits, When you hang your clothes you receive an immediate and direct benefit by choosing to be eco-friendly and enjoy the cost-effective benefit of the alternative to running an electric clothes dryer.
You’ll reduce your electricity usage, reduce wear and tear on your clothes, and save money by keeping your power bills down.
Plus, there’s nothing in life quite like the fresh, crisp scent of clothes that have been air-dried in the great outdoors.
Not only does it save you money in the long run, but it also benefits the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
Installing Your Clothesline: Easy as Pie
Installing your new clothesline is simple, and before you know it, you’ll be hanging out your garments with ease.
Whether you opt for installation of a wall-mounted style clothes line or a rotary option, just be sure to follow the installation instructions carefully.
Pro tip: When installing your outdoor clothesline, try to pick a location that’s away from trees. You don’t want to deal with falling leaves or—worse yet—bird droppings on your freshly cleaned laundry!
Making the Right Choice
The key to finding the perfect clothesline lies in considering a suitable location of the clothesline, laundry load, and lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking for a rotary clothesline for your large family or a compact folding clothesline for your apartment, there’s a clothesline for everyone.
By carefully considering the line space you need, where you'll install it, and how much you typically wash and hang, you’ll find the right model for your needs.
Use our clothesline buyers guide to help make a really good and informed decision.
Conclusion
Choosing a clothesline doesn’t have to be difficult! With so many options to suit different spaces, budgets, and laundry habits, you’ll be sure to find the perfect match .
A high quality clothesline will save you money, reduce your environmental impact, and give your clothes that fresh, air-dried scent that dryers just can’t replicate.
So, whether it’s a retractable clothesline, a wall-mounted folding model, or a classic rotary clothesline, get your washing hanging in no time, and enjoy the benefits of line drying!
Happy hanging!
Click here to review The Clothesline Stores – Clothesline Buyers Guide.
