| There are two main types of clothes lines, Outdoor | | | | order to be flexible enough to enable the clothesline |
| and indoor. Indoor clotheslines come in basically three | | | | to fold up. These lines don't last as long as the more |
| different types, Wall mounted, Ceiling mounted and | | | | durable galvanized steel wire lines and they can |
| Free Standing frames. Outdoor clotheslines come in | | | | stretch as well. Most higher quality Folding clothes |
| four types, Folding Frame or Fold down, Retractable, | | | | lines have a line tension lock to help keep lines tight. |
| Fixed Head Rotary and Folding style Rotary. | | | | Another negative is that the lines are closer together |
| Outdoor Models. | | | | than the Fixed models. This does not allow drying to |
| Fixed Head Rotaries at a glance. | | | | be at its optimum compared with the fixed models. |
| - Strong and robust. | | | | The reason they are closer together is to allow for |
| - Massive line space. | | | | maximum line space and minimum head diameter. A |
| - Galvanized wire lines. | | | | lot of cheaper versions of this style have a lot of |
| - Good space between lines. | | | | plastic components which are totally unnecessary. |
| - Aluminum winders. | | | | Choose a higher quality line if you see this kind of |
| - Needs a lot of yard space. | | | | feature too much as plastic deteriates in the sun. |
| - Can be unsightly. | | | | Black plastic usually has the best UV protection. |
| - Permanently fixed. | | | | Folding Frame clotheslines at a glance. |
| Fixed Head Rotary. Fixed head, means that the | | | | - Most popular line style used today. |
| clothesline can rotate around but cannot fold down | | | | - Many variations. |
| and away. Traditionally, Fixed Head Rotary clothes | | | | - Great space saving. |
| lines are the clotheslines of choice being found in | | | | - Lines close together. |
| many homes. They are the old style galvanized types | | | | - PVC lines. |
| with four permanently extended arms that usually | | | | - Smaller line space. |
| wind up and down. You may find that your parents | | | | Folding Frame or Fold Down clotheslines. These are |
| once had or still do have one of these styles. All | | | | the most popular and modern looking of all types of |
| though these clotheslines have traditionally been the | | | | clotheslines. A fold down is exactly that, it is a |
| most popular in times past it does not mean that | | | | rectangular framed clothes line that folds down when |
| they are the best choice for today. For example | | | | not in use. Usually mounted to a wall they also come |
| more styles of clotheslines have been invented since | | | | with optional ground mount kits for use where no |
| your parents day and backyards and family needs | | | | suitable wall space is available. |
| have changed since then. | | | | The positives. |
| The negatives. | | | | These are very discrete clotheslines which, when not |
| Fixed Head Rotary Clotheslines are best suited for | | | | in use are not very noticeable especially when they |
| yards with a lot of space. The typical Fixed Rotary | | | | are purchased in the color of your choice to match |
| can have an average of a 4 meter diagonal span with | | | | your surroundings. There are so many different sizes |
| at least an extra 1 meter needed around its revolving | | | | and formats of Fold Down clotheslines that there is |
| perimeter for laundry to blow about. Fixed Rotaries | | | | one for virtually any conceivable place that you want |
| can blow and rotate around a lot in strong winds so | | | | to put them. Some are big enough to suit a whole |
| you don't want your expensive laundry items getting | | | | family, some will fit on a unit balcony or inside in a |
| snagged on fences or rose bushes etc. Homes these | | | | laundry, some will fit in narrow passageways of |
| days are usually much smaller in the yard space than | | | | about 1 meter wide. When folded away, which is a |
| the old days and sometimes trying to fit one of | | | | "one click" operation, the Fold down takes up virtually |
| these lines into your yard can be a very difficult task | | | | no space whatsoever This is why they are so |
| indeed. Fixed Rotaries can also be a very unsightly | | | | popular because the average space outside in the |
| view either with clothes on them or not. So if you | | | | average home is shrinking. Most higher quality lines |
| live in a neighborhood with prying eyes or you are a | | | | come with sheet separators for aided drying times |
| very house proud person then take this on board. | | | | and line tension locks for nice tight lines. Folding frame |
| These days, modern Fixed Rotaries can be | | | | clotheslines have one advantage over Rotary style |
| purchased specially colored to help make them a | | | | lines in that they have the same length lines from |
| more attractive feature for your yard. Because the | | | | outside to inside which is great for lots of sheets. |
| lines get shorter and shorter as you move closer to | | | | Some manufacturers Fold downs cannot fit queen |
| the middle of the clothesline, this means that if you | | | | size sheets on them so make sure that you buy a |
| wash a lot of sheets then you can only use the | | | | model that can if you need this. |
| outside lines as the inner ones will not be wide | | | | The negatives. |
| enough. | | | | Folding Frame Clotheslines don't always have enough |
| The positives. | | | | line space for large families but if chosen carefully |
| Strong and robust are words that they are usually | | | | they can full fill the requirements of the average |
| described as. Fixed Rotaries normally have no plastic | | | | household. The biggest Folding Frame clothesline with |
| parts, but sometimes the gear case can be plastic. | | | | the most line space that i have seen is the Austral |
| Usually the gear case which winds the clothesline up | | | | Addaline 35, with 35 meters of line space which is |
| and down is made from aluminum which is weather | | | | usually adequate. Some times two Fold Downs are |
| proof and strong. The winder is a help full tool that | | | | needed to make up enough line space for the users |
| allows the user to raise the line to help sheets clear | | | | needs. Fold downs don't have metal wire lines, they |
| the ground, and to lower to aid the user in removing | | | | use the PVC cord style lines which can stretch and |
| or adding laundry. Folding Rotaries also have this | | | | don't usually last as long. High quality brands usually |
| feature. One of the biggest reasons to use one of | | | | have a tensioning device for tightening the lines. The |
| these lines is because of the massive capability to | | | | lines are closer together than a Fixed Head Rotary |
| handle large amounts of laundry at one time. So if | | | | and Folding Rotary. |
| you have a lot of people in your home, more than 4, | | | | Retractables at a glance. |
| then a rotary will handle your loads. In addition to this, | | | | - Good line space. |
| the wire that the clothes are pegged to are made | | | | - Long and Narrow. |
| from galvanized steel and so they are much longer | | | | - Out of sight. |
| lasting than the cord type of the folding or | | | | - 4 configurations. |
| retractable styles. The lines are usually spaced much | | | | - Can droop. |
| further apart from each other allowing plenty of air | | | | - Max/min length req. |
| flow between sheets or larger laundry items. This | | | | Retractable Clothes Lines. Retractable clotheslines |
| aids drying times. Most Fixed rotaries are available | | | | come as a cabinet with usually 4-6 cord style lines |
| from 4 meter spans up to 6 meter spans with the 6 | | | | inside that retract out and attach onto a hook at the |
| meter having around 60 meters of line space. Wow, | | | | receiving end. Retractables can be used in four |
| you will probably need to live on acres and have 20 | | | | different configurations, A. Wall to Wall. B. Wall to |
| or so kids to justify using one of these. They are | | | | Post. C. Post to Wall. D.Post to Post. |
| usually used in blocks of units or flats nowadays. | | | | The positives. |
| Folding Rotaries at a glance. | | | | Retractables are great for hiding the clothesline when |
| - Folds away. | | | | not in use as they retract back into their cabinets |
| - Removable. | | | | and some higher quality units come with removable |
| - Good line space. | | | | posts as optional and color co-ordination. Its always |
| - Winders. | | | | easy to find a spot to use a Retractable as they are |
| - Fits in smaller spaces. | | | | generally only about 800mm wide and so wall space |
| - Less space between lines. | | | | or garden space is usually in abundance. Retractables |
| - PVC cord. | | | | can pull out from their cabinets from just 1 meter up |
| Folding Rotary. These are basically a modern updated | | | | to about 10 meters. Some cheaper models have |
| version of the Fixed Head Rotaries but come with | | | | restrictions on the minimum and maximum retracting |
| features not seen on the old style Fixed Head | | | | length requirements so make sure you research your |
| Rotaries. Such as, the ability to fold the arms away | | | | product first to make sure that yours will do as you |
| and the complete clothesline removes from a ground | | | | want it to. Retractables are great for narrow |
| socket (usually has a safety cap) and can be stored | | | | passageways and small areas. The line space varies |
| away to add space to the yard or to remove | | | | obviously as the distance retracted is customizable to |
| unsightly clothes lines from a visitors view. | | | | the users requirements. When fully extended, most |
| The positives. | | | | quality Retractables have a line space of between 30 |
| The obvious one here is the fact that they foldaway | | | | meters and 50 meters. |
| and can be removed. This great feature style usually | | | | The negatives. |
| has a smaller head diameter span, ranging generally | | | | You really need to do your research on the brand |
| from about 3 meters diagonal span to about 4 | | | | you buy as their are literally hundreds of cheap nasty |
| meters. This is great news for people who need a lot | | | | retractables around. Make sure you purchase one |
| of line space but don't have enough yard space to fit | | | | that has a metal cabinet as this is usually the first |
| a Fixed head version in. The line space is still quite | | | | sign of quality. After this you will need to check on |
| large being usually between 40 meters of line space | | | | the Retractable minimum and maximum line extension |
| and 50. This is great for families, especially those with | | | | capabilities. You don't want a clothesline for a 4 |
| youngsters who love playing in the mud. Folding | | | | meter span if it retracts a minimum of 4.5 meters or |
| Rotaries usually come with a winder as well to help | | | | the other way around. Over larger distance the line |
| the user reach the line and yet still raise the line up to | | | | tend to droop a bit and sheets can drag on the |
| keep sheets from dragging on the ground, just like | | | | ground. Tip, always put your larger, heavier laundry |
| the Fixed Head Rotaries. Most higher quality Folding | | | | items at either end of the clothes line rather than the |
| Rotaries will come with sheet separators on the | | | | middle. |
| outer lines to separate a sheet while hanging to allow | | | | Indoor Clothes Lines. |
| more air passage to speed up drying times. Some | | | | Indoor clotheslines are usually used for those rainy |
| even come with coat hanger hooks so that you can | | | | days or when you are living in an apartment block. |
| more aptly dry expensive clothing to help minimize | | | | These clothes lines are available as Free Standing |
| creasing in the garment. Every Folding Rotary that i | | | | Units, Ceiling Mounted and Wall Mounted. Some |
| have ever seen is colored in a powder coat, usually | | | | outdoor styles such as small fold downs can be used |
| green but they are available in many colors to suit | | | | in laundries and garages. These are the most popular |
| your home decor. As an out door clothesline they are | | | | and are usually of a higher quality than the other |
| usually galvanized underneath the powder coating for | | | | styles. Ceiling mounted clotheslines are great for |
| long lasting protection from the elements. | | | | space saving as well, usually retracting back up to the |
| The negatives. | | | | ceiling when not in use. Free standing clotheslines |
| All Folding Rotary clothes lines these days come with | | | | usually collapse away to be stored when not in use |
| only a PVC winder as opposed to aluminum ones that | | | | and can be used outside as well. Most indoor |
| are found on the Fixed Rotaries. The reason for this | | | | clotheslines are very small in line space, light in |
| is so that the total weight of the clothesline is | | | | construction and generally not as useful as an |
| minimized to aid the user to remove the clothesline | | | | outdoor clothesline. The exception is the Fold down |
| from its ground socket and store. These winders are | | | | clothesline. Almost any size Fold down clothesline can |
| usually pretty maintenance free though and easy to | | | | fit in your garage providing excellent line space and |
| wind up and down. For a Folding Rotary to actually | | | | out of sight drying. |
| fold, they need to have the PVC cord style lines in | | | | |