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Original poster

Straight washing line versus rortary... your thoughts please!

46 replies

Alambil · 05/08/2013 23:36

I prefer straight lines, but have nowhere to "hook" it on to at the other end; I have a cheap retractable one already, but can't use it due to nowhere to hook it!

I am getting my garden totally renovated soon and would like your thoughts; find somewhere to hook the straight one, or purchase a rotary (to be stored in shed as only used at weekends!)

What would you do?

Also, how hard is it to construct a 6ft pole for the thing to hook on to!

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 05/08/2013 23:42

I am a rotary person. I had no idea, though untill I answered this thread.

Why on earth would you want a line? Unless you are going for the 1940's look.

Nicknamegrief · 05/08/2013 23:43

Rotary.

More line for less space!

None of that clothes prop malarkey as well.

stealthsquiggle · 05/08/2013 23:45

I like my straight, retractable line as it can disappear altogether when I want it to, and we have not shortage of space. Straight lines also suit long thin gardens and stuff dries quicker.

Jan49 · 05/08/2013 23:48

I'm using a straight washing line in my rented house for the first time in years. It's a PITA. It fits less than one load of washing. It's heavy to pull up. Some of the greenery is in the way. So I'd rather have a rotary airer. You can fit a lot more on it.

You would probably want a pole taller than 6 feet for a straight washing line. If the top is only 6ft then you'd be walking into your washing when you went in the garden. My garden has fixed posts and I think they are around 14ft. I bring the line down to around 5ft and put the washing on before pulling it up high. You'd need a wooden pole and concrete to secure it in the ground and maybe something to secure the pole to like a fence or wall.

LynetteScavo · 05/08/2013 23:50

But every spring I have to bribe my DC to find the hole again...despite noting the coordinates...where the hell the hole go, I've no idea. Confused

Original poster
Alambil · 06/08/2013 00:25

lol Lynette!

I favour a straight (retractable) line because I have a 10ft wide, 40ish ft long garden - it's a double line thingy I have (but can't put up)... and my mother has always had straight ones and I think it's just "what I know"

What are good, reliable retractables?

OP posts:
poppingin1 · 06/08/2013 00:32

I have a straight line which runs from one end of my garden right to the other end. It is a very long garden so I can hang two loads at once.

My neighbours have a decent rotary and it seems to take about half the amount my line can take. Plus I get the feeling it takes longer for clothes to dry as rotary's have one garment in front and one behind, reducing direct exposure to air and sunlight. I do put my minky airer out on days I do more than two loads and find items on my airer take longer to dry which is what I am basing that idea on. Plus rotary's can be quite flimsy from what I hear.

So personally, I would have a straight line, even if it would only be long enough to hold one load at a time. My only issue is that mine is a fixed line and I have to take it down if I don't want it in my way during BBQ's etc... But with my line this is relatively easily done. If I could though, I would have an actual retractable washing line.

AlohaMama · 06/08/2013 01:22

I have straight lines. It's probably about 10m long, but has 4 rows on it (the poles are T shaped) so it can fit loads of washing on. It works for me as we have a bit round the side of the house that isn't part of the main garden. I guess if it was visible all the time I might not like it. I find rotarys a pain to put up and down so they get left up and look ugly anyway.

AlisonL1981 · 06/08/2013 04:50

I had a rotary but it was just a cheap one and found everything was too close together and took days to dry.

Dp put up a retractable between the house and the shed and now my washing dries in no time!

BeginnerSAHM · 06/08/2013 08:33

Does anybody have/rate the retractable Brabantia one? It looks like a rotary but don't think it rotates... Looks quite neat although have to drill it into a wall... A straight retractable one won't work in our garden but I don't want to plonk a rotary one in our lawn!

BeginnerSAHM · 06/08/2013 08:45

This is what I mean. Rather pricey!

WaitingForMe · 06/08/2013 08:58

I have the cheaper Brabantia one (fabric cover for about £70) and it was one of the best purchases of my life. Looks like new at 2 yrs old, pops up and down in seconds and holds 3 loads of laundry with enough space for it all to dry.

I love it!

BeginnerSAHM · 06/08/2013 12:14

Ooooh, tempted now!! Thank you!

BoffinMum · 06/08/2013 19:00

Definitely a rotary, because if it rains you can bring the whole thing in in a hurry if you want, plus it holds loads and spins them to dry them really quickly.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 06/08/2013 19:05

Straight every time, but I have a long thin garden and a rotary would block the view of it unless I stuck it at the far end in the shade. A long line of washing flapping in the breeze looks lovely and dries in no time. I can fit 2-3 loads on mine by using those smalls driers with lots of pegs on at one end.

Rotary ones are a strangulation hazard for young children unless you either take it indoors or put a tight cover over it (or leave it up the whole time)

ShoeWhore · 06/08/2013 20:14

Rotary works for me. Plenty of drying space, easy enough to pack away when we have visitors etc.

maybe3x · 07/08/2013 11:41

Rotary for me, no problem drying, fits up to 2 loads of washing on and I can fold it down and put it away when not in use which I like Smile

bamboobutton · 07/08/2013 11:45

rotary dryers are absolute shite. we lived in the barren middle of nowhere, the wind was strong enough to take the skin off your face some days but washing on the rotary still took days to dryConfused how is that even possible?!

Seff · 07/08/2013 15:15

I had a rotary in our last house but have a line now and much prefer it. Things dry so much quicker on a line, I think the wind can get to everything better. In nice weather even towels can dry in a couple of hours.

It doesn't hold as much, but I have an airer which I use for socks, underwear and anything else small.

babyphat · 08/08/2013 19:48

Another vote for brabantia wall mounted rotary, it's brilliant. Takes up no space when folded and fits 3 loads. Expensive but worth it. Our last one was on our tiny roof terrace and after 5 years was still good as new.

MissMarplesBloomers · 08/08/2013 20:01

Minky retractable

Cheap & easy to use just get a hook for the end & it whizzes away afterwards. I HATE rotaries with a passion as I go cross eyed at the lines & all the laundry touches & takes ages to dry.

sparkle12mar08 · 09/08/2013 12:40

We have a large three sided rotary and on a good breezy day I can dry four loads of washing perfectly well. I don't understand how you can't? As long as you peg out properly and don't leave stuff scrunched up and bunged on any old way with just one peg say, how can it nor dry?

fussychica · 09/08/2013 14:56

Glad I read this - have an ordinary straight line but hate leaving it up but too much of a pia to take it down so just ordered the Minky retractable. I'll report back once it's in use. I hate rotary lines with a passion tooGrin

didireallysaythat · 09/08/2013 21:37

I have a covered rotary rotaire.com Not pretty I admit and somewhat dangerous in high winds, but bird and rain protection is good.

Mintyy · 09/08/2013 21:40

I have a rotary line because I can hide it completely out of view behind the apple tree at the far end of my long garden.

If I had a tiny garden where washing always had to be visible I would probably use a conventional clothes horse on the patio, tbh.

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