Last updated: 27 September 2026
The Clothesline Store – Quick Answer
Measure the space first, then compare width, depth and hanging space. Width determines the length of each line; depth can add more lines but takes up more room when open. The Clothesline Store can help you find the right balance.
A clothesline can look like the right size on a product page and still be awkward to use at home. The frame might fit along your wall, but project too far across a path when you open it. Or it may fit the space beautifully but leave you short of lines on washing day.
At The Clothesline Store, we suggest measuring the area before deciding on a model. You need three figures: the width available for mounting, the depth available when the frame is open, and the hanging space you need for your washing.
Start With the Space You Actually Have
Measure the usable width of the wall or area where the clothesline will sit. Check for downpipes, taps, doors, windows and anything else that could affect the mounting position.
Next, measure out from the wall to see how far an open frame can project. Think about the space you need to walk past the clothesline, reach the lines and open or close the frame comfortably. If the clothesline crosses a frequently used path, its depth may matter more to you than its maximum capacity.
Finally, think about what you hang. A few everyday garments need less line space than towels, school uniforms and sheets. The best size is one that fits the location and handles your normal washing.
What Do Clothesline Width and Depth Mean?
Width is the measurement along the mounting wall, from one end of the clothesline frame to the other. On a fold down clothesline, a wider frame generally makes each drying line longer. It can also make it easier to hang larger items, such as sheets, without folding them as much.
Depth is how far the frame projects from the wall or mounting posts when open. A deeper frame takes up more of your outdoor area. Depending on the model, it can also hold more drying lines and give you more total hanging space.
Hanging space is the combined usable length of all the lines. Look at this figure as well as the outside dimensions. Two clotheslines with the same width can hold different amounts of washing if one has more lines.
Width or Depth: Which Should You Increase?
If you have plenty of wall width but a narrow side path, a wider, shallower frame may give you useful line length without blocking the walkway.
If wall width is limited but there is room in front of the clothesline, a deeper frame may provide more lines. The trade-off is that it extends further into the space whenever you use it.
For example, The Clothesline Store lists an Air Dry 1.8m wide, 0.6m deep frame with six lines and approximately 11 metres of hanging space. At the same 1.8m width, the 0.9m deep version has ten lines and approximately 18 metres of hanging space. The extra depth changes the capacity because it allows more lines. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}
That is why we would not choose a clothesline by width or depth alone. Check all three measurements together: width, open-frame depth and total hanging space.
Which Clothesline Depth Suits Your Space?
0.6m deep: Start here if keeping a path or courtyard clear is the main concern. This is the shallowest Air Dry fold down option. It provides fewer lines than a deeper frame, but choosing a wider model can still give you practical hanging space. Available in Ready Made and Made to Order.
0.75m deep: A middle option when 0.6m feels too limited but you cannot spare the projection of a 0.9m frame. This depth is available in the Air Dry Made to Order range.
0.9m deep: A useful balance for many homes. It provides more lines than the shallower Air Dry frames, provided you have enough room to open it and move around it. Available in Ready Made and Made to Order.
1.2m deep: Consider this when regular family washing needs more hanging space and the open frame will not obstruct access. Check the full 1.2m projection at the installation location before ordering. Available in Ready Made and Made to Order.
1.5m deep: This offers substantial hanging capacity, but it needs substantial room in front of the wall. Measure carefully; do not assume that the largest depth will be the easiest to live with. Available on suitable Ready Made and Made to Order models. The 3.3m wide Made to Order model does not offer a 1.5m depth.
Air Dry Ready Made or Made to Order?
Choose Ready Made if one of the standard sizes fits your space. Air Dry Ready Made comes in 1.8m, 2.4m and 3.0m widths, with 0.6m, 0.9m, 1.2m and 1.5m depth options. These clotheslines are pre-manufactured, so in-stock options can be dispatched the same or next business day.
Choose Made to Order if the standard width does not suit your wall or you want a different combination of width, depth and colour. Air Dry Made to Order includes a 0.75m depth and custom-width options on suitable single-frame models. Check the product options carefully before entering your measurements.
For example, if you need a clothesline narrower than a standard 3.0m model, ask us about the custom-width option before ordering. We can help you check that the finished frame and mounting points will suit the space.
What About the Steel?
Once you know what size will fit, look at how the clothesline is made. Air Dry fold down clotheslines are manufactured in Australia using Australian steel. They are available in different widths and depths, so you can compare the frame and the hanging space as well as the material.
Also check the frame design, finish, warranty and mounting requirements. A claim about where a clothesline is made does not tell you its dimensions or whether it will work on your wall. If you are comparing models, ask us about the specific products rather than relying on a general claim about a brand.
Explore Each Air Dry Depth in More Detail
Once you know the maximum depth your space can accommodate, use these guides to compare available widths and hanging space:
0.6m deep Air Dry clotheslines – for minimal wall projection.
0.75m deep Air Dry clotheslines – a Made to Order middle option.
0.9m deep Air Dry clotheslines – a balance of projection and line space.
1.2m deep Air Dry clotheslines – for more regular washing.
1.5m deep Air Dry clotheslines – for suitable spaces needing a deeper frame.
Our Advice Before You Order
Do not start with the biggest clothesline in the range. Start with the space where it will be used. Measure the wall, check how far a frame can open without getting in the way, then compare the number of lines and total hanging space.
If two sizes both fit, think about what you dry most often. A wider frame may be more useful for sheets. A deeper frame can give you more lines for smaller garments. There is no need to give up a walkway for capacity you will rarely use.
If your measurements fall between standard sizes, Air Dry Made to Order may help you use the available wall space more effectively. Our team can help you check width, depth, mounting and hanging space before you place the order.
Related Guides from The Clothesline Store
How to Measure for a Folding Frame Clothesline explains the measurements to take before installation.
Best Australian Made Fold Down Clotheslines compares options when local manufacture is important to you.
How to Measure Space for a Rotary Clothesline is useful if you are also considering a rotary model.
FAQs: Choosing the Right Sized Clothesline
Does a deeper clothesline hold more washing?
It can. A deeper fold down frame may have more lines, which increases total hanging space. It also projects further into your yard or path when open. Compare the line count and hanging space of the actual models you are considering.
Should I choose more width or more depth?
Choose based on the space available. More width generally makes each line longer; more depth may allow more lines. Check the total hanging space and make sure you can still use the area when the frame is open.
What depth works in a narrow side path?
A 0.6m depth is a sensible starting point, but measure the full width of the path and leave enough room to walk past and reach the lines. A wider, shallow frame may provide enough hanging space without blocking access.
What depths do Air Dry clotheslines come in?
Air Dry Ready Made offers 0.6m, 0.9m, 1.2m and 1.5m depths. Made to Order also includes 0.75m. Available depth depends on the width and model; the 3.3m wide Made to Order model does not come in a 1.5m depth.
What if a standard width does not fit?
Look at the Air Dry Made to Order single-frame range. Eligible models can be made to a custom width. Measure your usable mounting area and check the product options, or contact The Clothesline Store before ordering.
Can The Clothesline Store help me choose?
Yes. Tell our team your available wall width, the clear space in front of it, how you plan to mount the clothesline and how much washing you normally hang. We can help you compare sizes before you order.
Shipped Direct From Our Warehouse
As Australia's largest private stockholder of clotheslines and accessories, The Clothesline Store ships in-stock items the same or next business day from our own national warehouse, with a 4.9 out of 5 star customer rating.
Clothesline Covers for Your Clothesline
Clothesline covers help shelter washing from overhead harsh uv rays, bird droppings and falling leaves while it dries.
ClevaCover for fold down clotheslines. Fits suitable Air Dry, Hills Folding Frame, Austral, Eco, Daytek and other fold down models mounted on a wall or ground mount legs.
ClevaCover for folding rotary and fixed head rotary clothesline covers fit suitable Hills, Austral and Daytek folding rotary clotheslines.
