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Reviewed by Carly James, Posh.co.uk Editor and former Which? magazine contributor. With years of hands-on testing experience, Carly specializes in evaluating laundry and home solutions for real-world performance and durability.

Tumble dryers are bad for the environment, bad for your household budget and actually bad for your clothes. Because of this, although air drying takes longer, it actually wins on sustainability, economy and gentleness. You can air dry clothes indoors, but it's generally preferable to do it outdoors, partly because it's quicker, partly because the fresh air helps freshen your clothes and partly because it avoids issues with condensation.

For the sake of completeness, we should mention that drying clothes indoors can be a perfectly reasonable option, especially in wet weather, however, if you do opt to dry clothes indoors, you want to do so on a hard floor if at all possible (if not put a cloth down) and preferably with the window open.

In general, however, it's preferable to dry clothes outdoors if you have the opportunity to do so and rotary washing lines are a great way of packing a whole lot of washing line into a relatively small space. They take their name from the fact that the head of washing line turns in a rotary motion around a static pole.

How We Evaluate Rotary Washing Lines

Our recommendations combine manufacturer specifications, verified UK retailer data, independent testing sources, and where we've had access, direct hands-on experience. We focus on the factors that matter most for outdoor laundry drying: capacity, durability, and ease of use across different weather conditions.

What We Look For

• Performance & reliability: Drying capacity, line tension retention, smooth rotation mechanisms, and stability under full loads
• Build quality: Frame materials (steel vs aluminium), corrosion resistance, UV-resistant lines, and expected lifespan in UK weather
• Ease of use: Installation requirements, height adjustment features, opening/closing mechanisms, and storage convenience
• Value: Drying capacity per metre, warranty coverage, and included accessories relative to typical UK pricing
• Safety: Ground spike stability, maximum load ratings, and wind resistance

Note: Where exact measurements aren't available from manufacturers, we provide clearly marked estimates. We never list live prices—our focus is on function, features, and value.

How to choose the best rotary washing line for you

Most rotary washing lines sold in the UK are folding rotary washing lines, which means that the arms fold to the pole when out of use, basically in much the same way as an umbrella folds in on itself. If, for some reason, you want a fixed rotary washing line, then you may need to look at a specialist supplier but before you go to such lengths, make sure that you have enough space for one as they really are big.

Size will also be a consideration. If you opt for a larger rotary washing line, then you can space out your clothes more and this helps to encourage good air flow and hence speedy drying time, however, you want to make sure that your rotary washing line is small enough to be able to move freely, which means you want to think about your garden in summer, when it's at its most vibrant and ensure that you can position your rotary washing line where it is free of snagging hazards such as branches.

Finally, you will need to think about the weather where you are. Obviously, you are going to want to avoid using your rotary washing line when the weather is bad, but if you want it to stay outdoors all year round, you're going to need a decent level of weatherproofing. If you're only planning to use it in the warmer months then weatherproofing may be less of an issue, but you will need to think about storage.

Installing a rotary washing line

There are basically two ways you can install a rotary washing line. One way is to install it directly into the ground and the other way is to install it into concrete. Basically the former makes it easier for you to remove your rotary washing line for storage or when you move, whereas the latter gives more stability.

Installing a rotary washing line directly into the ground

Basically once you have a suitable location you just put the ground spike where you need it to be. We suggest putting a flat block of wood on top of the spike and striking this with a mallet as this will provide the necessary force while maintaining the shape of the ground spike. Aim to leave about 10cm of your spike above the level of the ground.

Installing a rotary washing line into the concrete

Dig a hole about 20cm square and deep enough to hold all but about 10cm of your ground spike. Fill the hole with concrete to about half way and put the ground spike vertically in the centre. Have someone hold the rotary washing line in the upright position while you continue to pour the concrete until the hole is filled. Once the concrete has set enough to hold the rotary washing line in place, you can stop holding the rotary washing line, but allow about 48 hours before using it so that the concrete can set completely.

NB: The reason you generally want to leave about 10cm of your ground spike out of the ground is because it will reduce the likelihood of water getting into the tube and causing rust.

Maintaining your rotary washing line

While it may be tempting to leave your rotary washing line permanently "ready for action", it is preferable to lower the arms out of use and put on a rain cover. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on your rotary washing line for any dirt which could be transferred to your laundry, e.g. bird damage.

Rotary Washing Line Reviews

Here is our pick of the best rotary washing lines on the market.

Editors Pick

Brabantia - Lift-O-Matic - 50M of Clothes Line

Runner Up

Brabantia - Topspinner - 50 Metres of Clothes Line

Best Budget

Minky Freestanding Portable Rotary Airer Washing Line

Addis 40 m 4-Arm Rotary Airer

Best for: Budget buyers wanting robust construction and easy installation

Like all Addis rotary washing lines, this rotary washing line is made from fully-painted steel and hence has a decent level of protection from the wind and rain. Speaking of rain, the rotary washing line is based on an umbrella mechanism and the whole rotary washing line sits on top of a 32mm metal ground spike. There is 40m of washing line in total and the maximum supported load is 25Kg.

Pros

• Fully painted steel for weather protection
• Includes 32 mm metal ground spike
• Handles 25 kg maximum load
• Simple umbrella mechanism for smooth use

Cons

• Lacks height adjustment
• Basic aesthetics compared to premium brands

Specification	Value
Drying capacity	40 metres
Number of arms	4
Maximum load	25 kg
Material	Painted steel
Ground installation type	Metal spike
Warranty period	2 years
Portability rating	Moderate
Weather resistance score	Good
User convenience index	Very good

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Homegear Outdoor 4 Arm 50m Rotary Clothes Airer Dryer

Best for: Compact gardens and budget-conscious households

Basically, this rotary washing line is one you either love or you hate. The first point to note is that the maximum height of this rotary washing line is just 1.9M, which is fine for clothes, but can be on the short side for hanging up larger items such as sheets, especially if you have double bed (or bigger).

The second point to note is that the main pole is in two sections, which is very convenient for transportation and storage, but some people find it difficult to use the mechanism to raise and open the rotary washing line. Basically you have to hold the short extension tube in place when you push the arms up and some people find it hard to get suitable traction. Having said that, once you do have the arms up, they spin very nicely.

While the Homegear rotary washing line is clearly not for everyone, if you need a rotary washing line for a compact space and your plan is essentially to install it and leave it be, then there is a lot to like about this Homegear rotary washing line. For all its svelte dimensions, it offers 50m of drying space and while Homegear doesn't specify a maximum weight, they do say it can handle up to four wash loads. This seems fair given that the line is 2.8mm thick and the central pole is 32mm in diameter.

The rotary washing line is made of powder-coated steel, so it has good protection from the elements and it comes with a protective cover and a metal ground socket.

Pros

• 50m drying space despite compact frame
• Powder-coated steel protects against rust
• Includes protective cover and metal ground socket
• Smooth spinning once raised

Cons

• Low 1.9 m height limits hanging large sheets
• Two-section pole and raising mechanism can be tricky

Specification	Value
Drying capacity	50 metres
Number of arms	4
Material	Powder-coated steel
Height	190 cm
Ground installation type	Socket
Included accessories	Cover, metal socket
Warranty period	1 year
Portability rating	Moderate
Weather resistance score	Good
User convenience index	Average

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Leifheit Linomatic Rotary Washing Line 500 Comfort, 50 m

Best for: Heavy-duty users seeking rust-proof design and line protection

The Leifheit Linomatic rotary washing line offers 50m of drying space, plus each of its four arms has a hook from which to hang clothes hangers if you want to give extra protection to special items. Leifheit does not specify a maximum weight but it does say that this rotary washing line can cope with five loads of washing, which seems entirely feasible.

Not only does the Leifheit Linomatic very easy to open (with a retractable pull-cord) and to close (with a lever-release), it has a very special trick up its sleeve, or more accurately in its arms, when this rotary washing line closes, the washing lines retract fully into the arms for total protection from the elements and other hazards (like birds). Similarly, when the rotary washing line is open, the pull cord retracts completely.

The overall build quality is excellent. Unusually, the frame is made out of aluminium, which eliminates the issue of rust, while the line is made of woven nylon, which is very resilient to stretching and so can be expected to stay taut year after year after year.

Pros

• Aluminium rust-free frame for durability
• Lines retract into arms to stay clean
• Woven nylon lines resist stretching
• Easy open/close via cord and lever system

Cons

• Higher price range
• Slightly bulkier design

Specification	Value
Drying capacity	50 metres
Number of arms	4
Material	Aluminium frame, woven nylon lines
Ground installation type	Socket
Included accessories	Hooks for hangers
Warranty period	3 years
Portability rating	Moderate
Weather resistance score	Excellent
User convenience index	Excellent

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The Home Laundry Company Extra Large 4 Arm 60 Metre Rotary Washing Line with Hoist

Best for: Large households wanting maximum drying capacity

The Home Laundry Company rotary washing line offers a massive 60 m of line area. It is designed to be loaded at a height an average-sized person can reach easily (165cm) and then raised partly so that the items are higher of the ground and partly so that the rotary head can catch more of a breeze.

Although this system works very well, you may need a bit of practice to use it without having to stop and think first. Basically, there is a catch, like an umbrella catch, to open the arms to the "low" position (via an umbrella mechanism, appropriately enough) and then there is a separate crank you use to raise the rotary head. As is often the case in life, it's easy once you've had a bit of practice.

The Home Laundry Company does not specify a maximum weight for this rotary washing line, but it's made out of heavy-gauge steel so we'd expect it to be very robust over the long term. It also comes with a ground socket and a water-resistant zipped rotary washing line cover.

Pros

• 60m total line length for very large loads
• Hoist lifts laundry higher for faster drying
• Includes ground socket and zipped cover
• Heavy-gauge steel build for durability

Cons

• Learning curve with crank and catch system
• Bulky when folded

Specification	Value
Drying capacity	60 metres
Number of arms	4
Material	Heavy-gauge steel
Ground installation type	Socket in concrete or soil
Included accessories	Cover, socket
Portability rating	Low
Weather resistance score	High
User convenience index	Good

Extra Large 4 Arm 60 Metre Rotary Washing Line with Hoist plus FREE Cover, FREE Socket. Super Strong Construction.

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Best rotary washing line

It's very difficult to pick out a single, best, rotary washing line. Overall, we'd say the Addis is the best budget option and the Homegear is the best option for small spaces (assuming you can live with its quirks). The Brabantia is possibly the best option for the "average family" and the Home Laundry Company is the best option for people who want the speediest possible drying time, especially when there is little wind. The Leifheit, meanwhile, is probably the best option for people who want maximum robustness.

Best heavy-duty rotary washing line

Overall, we'd say the Leifheit was the best heavy-duty washing line. Its aluminium frame defeats rust, it has superb build quality and the fact that the lines retractable into the arms gives and extra element of protection.