Rotary washing lines save a lot more space than the traditional ones. You don't need a prop and it's much easier to hang and remove your clothes.
Here's our shortlist of the 5 best rotary lines on the UK market in 2022.
The 6 Best Rotary
Washing Lines Of 2022
Last update on 2023-11-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which Rotary Washing Line Is The Best?
The Barbantia Topspinner is sturdy, well-made, and it's 5 year manufacturer's warranty puts it head and shoulders above the competition.
- Laundry days will take a turn for the better with this Brabantia Rotary Topspinner, Spins like a charm, even when fully loaded with wet washing and is...
- Easy opening due to the easy to operate ‘Umbrella’ system, With 40 m/131 ft of superb Uv-resistant drying line the rotary dryer can hold up to...
- Because of the ø 45 mm metal ground spike, that comes with closable cap for sturdy ground anchorage, the rotary dryer is always standing strong
Last update on 2023-11-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why Buy A Rotary Washing Line?
Is the space you have for drying clothes at a premium? Have a small garden or yard? In that case, a rotary airer is ideal.
These clothes lines are really compact and you can dry a lot of laundry on them. The great thing is they fold up so you're kids and pets won't keep bumping into them.
They're also a lot less hassle than a regular washing line. These often sag in the middle and need a prop to stop clothes trailing in the mud.
Drying wet clothes indoors is also a primary cause of damp and mould. An outdoors clothes line can prevent this happening to you and your family.
Here are some important things to consider before buying your new line.
Rotary Washing Line Features To Consider
What separates a cheap rotary washing line from an expensive one?
The following list will give you an idea of how they all differ and the features you should look out for.
3 or 4 Arms – in our opinion, the best designs all have four arms, and we reckon that makes quite a difference in terms of stability and efficiency.
Length – those we looked at range from 30m to 50m in length; this will determine how much laundry you can dry at once. If you have a big family with a larger washing machine, a longer line is going to be better.
Turning circle – check the space needed for the rotary airer to turn freely, and add a bit so that you can get around it easily.
Those on are list are all suitable for smaller areas – some are very compact indeed – but make sure it will work in the space you have available.
Ease Of Use – this applies not only to the actual use of the device – you want it to be easy to assemble and to lift the arms into position – but also to how easy it is to dismantle for storage and to move around.
If you want one that you can use and put away, some of these come with a protective bag with a hanging loop.
Adjustable - The best clothes airers can be adjusted to different heights. This makes things more comfortable for you. You can lower the line for heavier items like wet sheets and then hoist it higher again.
Additional Hanging Points – some of these feature holes in the arms and hooks at the end to give you added capacity, and this can be a very valuable asset if you have a larger load of washing to deal with.
Wind Power - If you buy a heavy-duty airer, it will be able to turn in the breeze. This will help dry your clothes faster and keep them smelling fresh.
Rotary Washing Line Reviews
When considering the best rotary washing lines of 2022, we kept in mind all the key features that we outlined above.
We're confident you'll an airer on our list that fits with your budget and space.
Our first choice is this model from Brabantia, who offer a wide range of rotary airers. This one is a sturdy, four-arm rotary washing line, and is made from long-lasting metal with strong nylon.
The lines offer a choice of three different positions; this serves the purpose of changing the tension, so you can adjust the line for a full load or for lighter laundry.
You also get a 45mm metal spike that drives into the ground, into which the rotary airer slots neatly, for easy removal if needed.
The model featured here is the 40 metre version – that’s how much drying space you get when it is fully extended.
There are larger models – 50m and 60m available. 40m should be adequate for a small family.
This line's smooth rotation will take full advantage of even the lightest wind. When fully extended it comes to 2.72m across, so you need clearance of a little more than that to enable effective use.
Also, it is designed to be easy to lift into position thanks to a clever yet simple mechanism.
This is a high-quality clothes airer from a brand that really stands behind it's products. They offer a 5-year guarantee on all their lines, so you'll definitely get your money's worth.
Before we go into detail, it’s worth noting that this clothes airer is designed to be portable. It is somewhat smaller than most – with only 16m of line – and is perhaps more suited for a single person or a couple.
It is also useful as a camping washing line, or on a caravan holiday. It's easy to take apart and carry around.
Despite its limited capacity, this airer is a clever little rotary dryer with some interesting features.
To begin with, while most of the bigger models are designed to be slotted into a buried spike or fitment, this one has a retractable base with four legs.
There are pros and cons to this: the advantage is it can be used on a hard surface, so if you just have a yard this is perfect.
The downside is that it will not be very steady in anything more than light winds, which sort of defies the object.
This design shouldn’t be written off though, as it is well-made and does the job, with a smooth turning action thanks to clever design.
It’s made from sturdy aluminium, too, and is light enough to carry around. It’s also very compact, so if you have a small available area, this could be the one you need.
If you're in the market for a portable rotary washing line, this is available at a great price.
We have included this model from the Brabantia range as it represents their basic and budget model.
It’s a three-arm design, which may put some buyers off, but at the price it is very good value and may be just the thing for a family on a budget.
There’s no need for fancy bits when it comes to rotary airers, so this one fits the bill.
Unlike many cheaper designs, this Brabantia airer comes with a "Plastic concrete" anchor tube which can slot into a base.
It has 30m of line, but Brabantia also have a 40m model if you need more space. Other optional accessories include a line cover and pegs, which come at an additional cost.
This design's arms are lifted using an umbrella system which is very easy to use, and it can be stored away when folded as it is very compact.
The arms are fitted with holes for hangars – a nice touch that gives you added versatility – and it also comes with a 5-year guarantee for added peace of mind.
This is a good, no-frills rotary airer. It's only let down by being a three and not a four-arm model. Still, it's ideal for an average-sized family.
If you're a family of 4+ and want a heavy duty airer that won't leave your duvet covers and sheets trailing in the mud - this line is ideal.
The design is slightly different as it has three arms instead of 4 (i.e a triangle drying aread and not a square). But the surprising thing is this means it has 60 meters of drying space.
That's 50% more than the cheaper rotary dryers which only give you 40 metres.
Another great USP for this one is it has a crank which hoists the line higher. After you hang your bedding you can crank it up to keep them off the ground.
It also comes with a waterproof cover and a ground spike. The manufacturer recommends that you embed it in concrete to make the line as durable as possible.
However, some users have placed it 50mm below grass so they can take it out to mow the lawn without any problems.
The only drawback with this one is the price as it's twice as expensive as some on our list. But if you need that extra drying space and are tired your clean laundry draping on the ground - this could be for you!
On the face of it, this Parker model looks like a standard 4-arm rotary airer. However, on closer inspection there are a couple of things that need to be considered
First, this one uses a rectangular arm design. This claims to have benefits over the usual tubular models in terms of strength.
Second, it offers 50m of line, which is the most of any model we have included on this list.
The line is 3mm diameter, too, so it is strong, and it has a 40mm pole so will withstand stronger winds.
It is not equipped with alternating tension, however, although it does move freely – users have reported it being effective and withstanding heavy winds.
It also has a two-piece centre pole, so you can dismantle it easily. When fully extended, it needs a little over 2.5m to turn, so is fine for smaller spaces, too.
This Parkland heavy-duty rotary line is one of the cheapest on our list. However, you're still getting 4-arms and 50m of line, so it's easily the best one for the money.
Our final selection is ideal if you're looking for a temporary airer or something to put in your caravan or motorhome.
This is a 4-arm airer that just under 5ft tall. It´s adjustable to different heights and it also collapses. The pole has two pieces with the lines and feet folding in on themselves.
This means it's easy to fold up for storage or take with you on your travels.
What I especially like about this one is you can use it both indoors or outdoors.
When used outdoors, you can place it on flat surfaces like patios. But this only works on days with little wind. You really need to push the pegs into the ground to stop it from tipping over on windy days.
The 4-arms can fit a sizeable amount of washing. And the lightweight yet sturdy design is strong enough to dry things like wetsuits, too.
If you´re looking for a foldable airer you can put up inside or take on trips away, this is a good choice at a great price.
Rotary Washing Line FAQs
What sizes do rotary washing lines come in?
Rotary washing lines usually come in 40M/50M/60M sizes. However, there are some as small as 26M if space is an issue.
What size rotary washing line do I need?
The size you need depends on the amount and type of laundry you typically hang at one time. A 40-meter line is usually ideal for a family-of-four without having to cram everything together.
Can you put a rotary washing line in a parasol base?
While you could use a parasol base for light laundry with little wind - it's not recommended. Rotary washing lines are top heavy and easy to topple over.
How high should rotary lines be?
Rotary lines should be placed 6-inches (15cm) above the head of the person who is using the line. This makes it comfortable to hang clothes and enough space to keep sheets off the ground, too.
How do I stop my rotary washing line leaning?
A leaning washing line is a common problem usually caused by the way it's been installed. Unfortunately, once there is a structural weakness, the spike will continue to lean in that direction. The best solution is to re-concrete the pole, remembering to dig deeper (and not wider).
How do I choose a rotary clothesline?
The most important factor in choosing a rotary washing line is getting the size right. Usually, a 40M line is big enough for an average family with lots of room for bed sheets and duvet covers. If you hang multiple washing loads up at the same time, a heavy-duty rotary line might be a good match.
We hope our reviews have helped you find the best rotary washing line for you and your clothes. Here’s hoping the weather is always right when it comes to laundry day!
For drying clothes quickly indoors, be sure to check out our page on the best heated indoor airers!
