Last reviewed: 29 September 2026
The Clothesline Store - Our Quick Answer
For families, compare Hills Double Fold Down and Austral Add-A-Line. For smaller spaces, consider Austral Compact 28 or Air Dry Made to Order. Check width, open-frame depth and hanging space before choosing.
A fold down clothesline should fit the space you have and the washing you actually dry. This guide compares eight Air Dry, Hills, Austral and Evolution options for different homes, with a direct link to each product or range.
Measure the clear width and the distance the frame can project when open before choosing. If you need to mount the line away from a wall, check whether the model supports an optional ground mount or base plate kit. A fence is not our recommended mounting surface; consider a suitable wall or independent ground mount instead.
Air Dry Made to Order Clotheslines
When standard won’t do, an Air Dry Made to Order fold down clothesline can be built to fit your space. Choose the width, depth and colour that suit your home. The single-frame range includes widths up to 3.3m, with depth choices depending on the width. It is Australian made using Australian steel.
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Consider it when: you have measured a wall and a standard width does not fit properly.
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Check before ordering: the available depth for your chosen width and whether you need wall, ground or base plate mounting.
Hills Double Fold Down Clothesline
The Hills Double has two frames, giving households flexibility for different washing loads. The current product is 2.4m wide, projects 1.2m when open and has 26m of hanging space. Measure the full open depth, not just the wall width.
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Best for: families that want the flexibility of two frames in one fold-down clothesline.
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Key measurements: 2.4m width, 1.2m depth, 11 lines and 26m hanging space.
Austral Compact 28 Fold Down
The Austral Compact 28 provides approximately 28.5m of hanging space in a frame about 2.49m wide and 0.94m deep. It is a useful comparison when you have room across the wall but less space for a frame to project outwards.
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Best for: a narrower side path or courtyard where projection matters.
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Key measurements: approximately 2.49m width, 0.94m depth and 28.5m hanging space.
Air Dry Ready Made Clotheslines
Air Dry Ready Made offers pre-manufactured fold-down clotheslines in popular widths and depths. Choose this range when a stocked configuration fits your space and you want an Australian-made frame without made-to-order manufacturing time. Confirm the exact configuration and current dispatch details on the product page.
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Best for: a standard-sized wall and a stocked Australian-made choice.
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Check before ordering: the width, depth, number of lines and mounting accessories for the selected model.
Hills Single Fold Down Clothesline
The Hills Single has one folding frame, 26m of hanging space and a 2.4m by 1.2m open footprint. It is a different choice from the Double for customers who prefer one frame but still need room for regular family washing.
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Best for: someone who wants a single folding frame with 26m of line.
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Key measurements: 2.4m width and 1.2m open depth.
Air Dry 3000 Made to Order
The Air Dry 3000 is a 3m-wide made-to-order model with several depth choices. It suits a wider wall where you want to choose the projection and hanging space to match your washing. If your available wall width is below 3m, check the product's width cut-down option before ordering.
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Best for: a wider space and a family needing a choice of line capacity.
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Check before ordering: the depth and hanging space of the exact configuration you select.
Austral Add-A-Line Fold Down
The Austral Add-A-Line has a smaller inner frame and a larger outer frame, so you can use the inner section for a lighter load or extend the full line when you need more room. The current model is approximately 2.49m wide and 1.5m deep, with 35.6m of hanging space.
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Best for: households that want to use a smaller inner line or the full frame as needed.
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Key measurements: approximately 2.49m width, 1.5m depth and 35.6m hanging space.
Evolution 316 Stainless Steel Clothesline
The Evolution 316 is an Australian-made wall-mounted fold-down clothesline made from marine-grade 316 stainless steel. It comes in several sizes and is a premium option for customers who particularly want a stainless steel frame. Check the chosen size and installation surface before ordering.
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Best for: a premium wall-mounted installation, including suitable coastal locations.
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Check before ordering: the chosen width and the wall fixing requirements.
How to Choose the Right One for Your Space
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Measure width first. Allow for the full frame and installation clearances. A made-to-order Air Dry may suit a wall that does not fit a standard width.
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Check open depth. This is how far the clothesline projects from the wall or posts when raised. Make sure the path remains usable.
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Compare hanging space. This is the total usable length of cord, not the width of one line. Check whether your chosen width accommodates the sheets you want to hang flat.
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Choose a sound mounting surface. Check the model's wall fixing instructions or choose a compatible ground mount or base plate kit. We do not recommend mounting a fold-down clothesline on a fence.
For more detail, read our guide to measuring for a folding frame, our fold-down depth guide, and our fence installation advice.
Installation Help
Always follow the instructions for your exact model and mounting surface. We can help you select the appropriate installation option, including a wall mount, ground mount kit or base plate kit where the model supports it. See our installation and removal service for available locations and details.
Why Choose The Clothesline Store?
Our team can help you select a clothesline that suits your home and laundry needs. Before you order, we explain the benefits and any drawbacks of the width, depth, hanging space and mounting options you’re considering.
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, Urbanite Living 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.
Ready to Choose Your Fold Down Clothesline?
Start with your available width and open depth, then compare the models above for line space, frame design and mounting. If you are unsure which one will fit, contact our team before ordering.
