The Best Clothesline Selection Guide Compare Types, Sizes & Install Options – The Clothesline Store

When it comes to drying your garments, clotheslines, might not seem glamorous, but it’s one of the most practical purchases!

The right clothesline can save time, money, and valuable space—all while helping you dry your washing 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 purchasing into your new clothesline, think about your available area, your lifestyle, and washing habits. Your laundry load will determine how much line space you need on a clothesline.

Large households with frequent washes benefit from clotheslines that offer generous amount of clothesline cord and strong construction. 

For smaller yards or smaller spaces, retractable or fold-down clothes lines are ideal. These save space and tuck away neatly when not in use.

Choosing the Right Clothesline for Your Home

Location matters. Do you have an outdoor area like a backyard or garden that gets lots of sun? A rotary clothesline—like the iconic Hills Hoist—is a fantastic option, offering plenty of line and drying capacity.

If your outdoor space is limited, wall-mounted or indoor clotheslines may suit better. These compact designs are perfect for balconies, patios, or even laundry rooms.

Durability is key—look for quality, Australian made options built to endure Australia’s climate.

What Type of New Clothesline Should You Choose?

There are plenty of options, and the good news is, using a clothesline over a dryer will always save on electricity! Here are some popular types:

Folding Head Rotary

Folding head rotary clotheslines are 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. 

Built for durability, it features multiple strong lines that provide ample drying capacity for large laundry loads. 

Folding Frame Clothes Line

If you're short on space but still need to dry a large wash load, folding frame or fold down clothes lines are a fantastic choice.

Mounted to a wall, fold down clotheslines simply fold down when not in use, making them great for like courtyards or balconies.

Air Dry Clotheslines have a custom made range with options and sizes that suit your drying needs.  These clotheslines come in 11 different colours with hanging area ranging from 9 metres or 48 metres of hanging space, there’s a solution for you.Another benefit of a fold down clothes lines, they can also be installed in soil or on concrete surfaces using ground mount kits or base plate kits—giving you flexibility no matter your space.

Top brands for fold down clotheslines are Air Dry Clotheslines, Hills and Austral.  

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

Retractable clotheslines are ideal for versatile drying. Pull them out when needed, retract them when done—perfect for laundry rooms, garages, or outdoor areas.

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.

Portable Clotheslines

Portable clotheslines are great for renters or anyone who moves frequently. Lightweight and easy to set up, they can be used both indoors and outdoors.

When the rain hits our backyards, our happy customers almost always state how they love that they can continue to line dry their laundry on their portable clotheslines.

If your lifestyle demands flexibility, this is an easy, perfect and affordable option to keep your laundry routine stress-free. 

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.

Installation and Professional Services

Correct installation ensures your new clothesline functions as it should. At The Clothesline Store, our expert installers provide reliable, professional installation services across Australia. 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.

Better yet The Clothesline Store provides a professional installation service at a click of a button! Check it out here...

Quality and Australian-Made Clotheslines

We’re proud to stock only quality clotheslines, many of which are Australian made. Built to handle the demands of daily use and our tough climate, our selection includes trusted brands like Air Dry and Austral.

Buying Australian made means supporting local jobs and investing in clotheslines designed for Australian conditions—delivered fast from a company that’s proudly Australian operated.

Shop with Confidence

We’re committed to great customer service, with a shop that’s easy to use and a team that’s always here to help. Our extensive range of clothesline brands include something for every budget, lifestyle,and space that can fit perfectly. —whether it’s a new clothesline for a family home or compact clothes lines for apartments.Explore our sale section, use filters to find your perfect style, and buy with confidence. We’ll help you find the best fit at the right price.

Use our clothesline buyers guide to help make a really good and informed decision.

Free Delivery of Clotheslines

At The Clothesline Store, we guarantee the fastest dispatch to ensure the quickest delivery of clotheslines, by operating our own national clothesline warehouse. Don’t take our word for it—check out our Google reviews!

As Australia’s largest private stockholder of clotheslines and accessories, we ship in-stock items the same or next business day. Unlike other retailers who rely on third-party distributors, our dedicated team handles every order directly, ensuring speed and reliability.

With our extensive range of clotheslines stored in our own clothesline warehouse and national centres, we deliver faster and more consistently.