Last updated: 27 September 2026
Quick Answer
Mark hole centres 2353mm apart at head height, drill 10mm holes, fix the brackets with the M8 masonry bolts, assemble the frame, then thread and tension the line. The Clothesline Store's Hills Compact guide.
Setting up your Hills Compact Folding Frame Clothesline is a straightforward task, but taking a little extra time to prepare properly will ensure it operates smoothly and lasts for years.
In this guide, we'll walk you through each step, whether you're mounting the clothesline on a brick, masonry, or concrete wall.
By following the steps carefully, you'll have your Hills Compact Folding Frame installed securely, making laundry day easier, faster, and more efficient for the long haul!
Installing your Hills Compact Folding Frame Clothesline is a straight forward process, but a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring it works perfectly and stands the test of time.
Installation Hills Folding Frame Clothesline - Compact Model
Please ensure you read the Hills Folding Clothesline Instructions prior to commencing the installation process of your new hills compact fold down clothes line.
Tools
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary tools and follow the step-by-step instructions supplied for the hills folding frame clothesline carefully to avoid any complications.
Important Information Hills Ground Mount Kit or Hills Plated Ground Mount Kit
The Compact - Hills folding frame clothesline can be wall or ground mounted. If you choose to ground mount, you will need to purchase a Hills Folding Frame Post Kit, which is sold separately:
Please follow the instructions provided with the Post Kit for a ground mount installation by clicking here.
Important Information: Hills Wall Fixing
The included Masonry Bolts are specifically designed for use on masonry, brick, or concrete walls. If you plan to mount your clothesline on a different material, such as wood or steel, we recommend consulting your local hardware store for the appropriate fixings and fasteners suited to your chosen surface.
For optimal stability, it's crucial to properly mount the wall brackets and assemble the compact folding frame clothesline according to the instructions. A secure installation ensures that your clothesline remains stable, easy to operate, and fully functional, allowing you to enjoy its benefits for years to come.
Installation of the Hills Compact Folding Frame Clothesline
1.1 Select a Suitable Location
Select an outdoor location preferably where the sun light will reach with good air circulation to ensure faster drying of wet clothes.
Ensure there is sufficient clearance and space around the new compact hills folding frame clothesline.
Hills clotheslines recommend leaving a space of 500mm on the long sides and 750mm from the front (Figure1).
1.2 Marking the Hole Centres
Mark the hole centres. Using the brackets as templates, mark the hole centres.
The hole centres should be exactly 2353mm apart and Hills recommend the lower hole centres are in line with the users head height.
Use a spirit level to ensure the hole centres are level vertically and horizontally (Figure 2).
1.3 Adhere the Hills Folding Frame Clothesline Wall Brackets.
If you are mounting to masonry, brick or concrete, drill 10mm holes at the marked points and secure into position using the M8 × 70 Masonry Wall Bolts supplied with the folding frame clothesline (Figure 3).
If using alternative fixings, secure and adjust the wall brackets in an appropriate manor for your substrate.
Assembly of the Compact Hills Folding Frame Clothesline
2.1 Hills Folding Frame Clothesline Arm Caps
Slide the x4 Arm End Caps onto the end of each arm and strut, then secure the arms and struts into to the wall brackets using the x4 Chicago Bolts (Figure 4).
2.2 Hills Folding Frame Clothesline Assembly
Moving from right to left and keeping weight supported the whole time:
1 Insert x 1 Front Bar into the right arm
2 Slide the Joining Bar onto the Front Bar
3 Slide the remaining Front Bar into the Joining Bar
4 Carefully slot the assembled bars into the left arm corner.
The clothesline frame will now be fully assembled (Figure 5).
Attaching the Hills Compact Cord
3.1 Threading the Hills Clotheslines Cord
Your Hills Folding Frame Clothesline comes with the Line Tensioner and Line pre-attached.
Thread the cord through the folding frame clothesline in alternating directions, keeping tension as you go (Figure 6).
3.2 How to Tie Off the Hills Compact Clothesline Cord
Follow the below steps to tie off (Figure 7).
Align the line tie off with the hole in the hills clothesline arm, and pull the line straight through the frame and line tie off.
Pull the line tight and down, then wedge it right to secure it into the gap at the base of the line tie off.
Thread the clothes line back and forth through the holes on the inner of the line tie off, so it finishes back on the inside of the arm.
Wedge it again, this time into the opposite side gap at the base of the line tie off, and snip off the excess.
Do not cut, until you are happy the clothes line cord is secure.
3.3 How to Tension Your Compact Hills Folding Frame Clothesline
To tension the clothes line, rotate the line tension dial in a clockwise direction until the lines are taut (Figure 8).
Adjustments
You may need to adjust the lines when you first hang your wet washing out to dry. This is the ideal time to check the cord tension and adjust accordingly.
Operating Hills Folding Frame Clotheslines
4.1 Raising the Compact Folding Frame Clothesline
To raise, fold and lock the folding frame clothesline, grip the frame in the middle and lift upwards until you hear both folding brackets 'click' (Figure 9).
4.2 How to Close the Hills Compact Folding Frame Clothesline
To lower and close the folding frame clothesline, grip the frame in the middle and raise slightly above your head until you hear both folding brackets 'click! Then guide the frame into the folded closed position (Figure 10).
Congratulations! Your high-quality Compact Hills Folding Frame Clothesline is now fully installed, and you're all set to enjoy the convenience it brings. We hope this guide has been clear, helpful and easy to follow, making your setup a smooth experience. Enjoy your new Compact Hills Clothesline!
Professional Clothesline Installation Service
If you're not keen on installing your new clothesline at The Clothesline Store we make clothesline installation incredibly easy, with our professional clothesline installation service that ensures your clothesline is set up effortlessly.
Whether you're choosing a fold down mounted, retractable, or a folding rotary clothesline our expert installers are ready to help across the East Coast of Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and beyond, covering areas like Geelong, the Gold Coast, and Newcastle for all outdoor clothes line installations.
To book your clothesline installation, simply select "Yes, Install My Clothesline" (or "Yes, Install and Remove Old Clothesline") when placing your order. If you have any questions, you would like answered, about clothesline installation please feel free to call and speak to one our helpful team who will be happy to assist you.
The Clothesline Store has great quality brands to choose from, once you have chosen your new clothesline, select the clothesline installation option, and you're on your way to having your new clothesline installed!
Want More Size Options? Consider Air Dry
If a standard size doesn't suit your wall, an Air Dry fold down clothesline is 100% Australian made from 100% Australian steel, in a wide range of ready made sizes or made to order for the perfect fit. It's The Clothesline Store's number one fold down pick.
Related Guides from The Clothesline Store
Find out what to do if your Hills fold down clothesline is sagging, how to fix a Hills folding frame that is hard to lift or lower, why ground mount installation beats fence mounting, and how to choose the right sized clothesline.
FAQs: Installing the Hills Compact Folding Frame
How far apart are the Hills Compact bracket holes?
The hole centres should be exactly 2353mm apart, with the lower hole centres in line with the user's head height.
How much clearance does the Hills Compact need?
Hills recommends 500mm on the long sides and 750mm from the front.
What walls can I mount it on?
The supplied M8 masonry bolts suit masonry, brick and concrete walls. On weatherboard, install structural timber support first. Never mount a clothesline on a fence.
Can the Hills Compact be ground mounted?
Yes, with a Hills Folding Frame Post Kit, sold separately.
How do I tension the line?
Rotate the line tension dial clockwise until the lines are taut, and recheck the tension when you first hang out wet washing.
Where can I buy the Hills Compact fold down clothesline?
Online from The Clothesline Store, Australia's largest private clothesline stockist since 2003, with a 4.9 out of 5 star customer rating.
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 protect your clothing from the harsh Australian UV rays. A ClevaCover clothesline cover gives your washing high UV protection from the Australian sunlight while it dries, and shelters it from overhead rain, bird droppings and falling leaves, so you can hang your washing out and leave it with confidence.
ClevaCover for fold down clotheslines. Fits Air Dry, Hills Folding Frame, Austral, Eco, Daytek and other fold down brands, mounted on a wall or ground mount legs.
ClevaCover for folding rotary clotheslines. Fits Hills, Austral and Daytek folding rotary clotheslines.
ClevaCover for fixed head rotary clotheslines. Fits Hills Hoist and Austral fixed head rotary clotheslines, giving shade across the whole hanging area.
