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.

Editors Pick

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

9.5

£84.99

£84.99 Buy On Amazon

Runner Up

Brabantia - Topspinner - 50 Metres of Clothes Line

9.0

£132.00

£99.99

£99.99 Buy On Amazon

Best Budget

Minky Freestanding Portable Rotary Airer Washing Line

8.5

£39.21

£39.21 Buy On Amazon

Amazon price updated: August 5, 2025 1:20 pm

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

Discover the ease of outdoor drying with the Brabantia Lift-O-Matic Rotary Clothes Line. This advanced drying solution offers a seamless height adjustment from 129 to 187 cm, ensuring you can find the perfect working height without straining your back.

Key Features -

• Effortless Use: The dryer arms rotate smoothly, even when loaded with wet laundry, making it easy to hang your clothes without hassle.
• Ample Drying Space: With 50 meters of UV-resistant line, you can hang up to four machine loads of laundry at once, accommodating everything from small garments to large bed linens.
• Sturdy and Stable: Includes a 45 mm metal ground spike with a closable cap, providing a solid foundation that stands strong against the wind.
• Eco-Friendly Choice: By using this rotary line, you’re not only reducing energy costs but also supporting WeForest in planting more trees.
• Durability and Guarantee: Brabantia offers a 5-year guarantee, ensuring long-term reliability and customer satisfaction.

We've had the opportunity to test the Brabantia Lift-O-Matic, and it's clear why this rotary clothes line stands out. Its user-friendly design is a major benefit, particularly for those of us with physical limitations.

Adjusting the height is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to work at your ideal level without the need for bending or reaching. Additionally, it comes equipped with some very handy accessories like a protective cover and a peg bag, which keep everything neat and organised.

While some of us initially found the setup of the ground spike a bit challenging (especially in harder soil), once in place, the stability and durability of the Lift-O-Matic are undeniable. It holds up well even under heavy loads and in breezy conditions—a testament to its solid construction.

The Brabantia Lift-O-Matic is an excellent choice if you're looking for a top-quality and sustainable option for drying your laundry outdoors.

Built to last and backed by a responsive customer service team, this rotary line represents a smart investment for your home. We confidently recommend it for its superb functionality and problem-free use.

£84.99 Buy On Amazon

Runner Up

Brabantia - Topspinner - 50 Metres of Clothes Line

The Brabantia Rotary Topspinner is a robust clothesline designed to make laundry days more efficient and less of a chore. With its substantial drying space and user-friendly design, it offers a dependable solution for drying multiple laundry loads outdoors.

Key Features:

• Generous Drying Space: Equipped with 50 meters of UV-resistant drying line, the Topspinner can accommodate up to four machine loads of laundry, making it ideal for family use.
• Sturdy Design: The clothesline includes a ground spike for stability, ensuring it remains fixed in place even in strong winds, providing reliability and peace of mind.
• Easy to Operate: Featuring an ‘umbrella’ system, the Topspinner opens easily and locks securely, supporting a fully loaded line without any hassle.
• Convenient Storage: A sturdy hanging loop allows for straightforward storage, and the design ensures that even when fully loaded, the clothesline remains easy to handle.

We've put the Brabantia Topspinner through its paces and are thrilled with its performance. This clothesline handles large volumes of laundry effortlessly, enhancing air circulation for faster drying times—a real boon for busy households.

Its robust construction stands out, easily withstanding the elements thanks to a protective cover (a thoughtful addition that ensures durability).

While it performs superbly in many respects, it's important to note that the 'top spin' feature might need a bit of a breeze to show off its full potential, and its height could be a stretch for those of us not quite reaching the average.

In conclusion, the Brabantia Topspinner is an outstanding, durable, and highly practical addition to any home. Offering substantial drying space paired with user-friendly features, it represents a superb investment for those prioritising efficient and environmentally friendly laundry solutions.

Its minor limitations hardly dim its overall value—making it a top choice for optimising your outdoor drying routine.

£99.99 Buy On Amazon

Best Budget

Minky Freestanding Portable Rotary Airer Washing Line

The Minky Freestanding Portable Rotary Airer is an adaptable laundry solution designed for those who need flexibility in their drying options. With its straightforward design and substantial 15 meters of drying space, this airer is a handy accessory for both home use and outdoor adventures like camping.

Key Features:

• Powerful Capacity: This can handle over one washload, making it ideal for large items and multiple pieces of clothing.
• Robust Design: The airer's sturdy tripod base and moulded joints add extra strength, supporting full loads without buckling.
• Ease of Use: Setup is hassle-free; it folds up and secures into position with a simple click, ready for storage or transport without needing any drilling or fixtures.

We recently tested the Minky Freestanding Portable Rotary Airer and were impressed by its versatility. It seamlessly adapts to various environments, ensuring efficient laundry drying whether at home or on the go.

The Airer's compact design and foldability make it perfect for those with limited space, and it sets up in seconds—ideal for quick drying solutions when travelling.

Although the airer is optimal for light loads and indoor use, it may face stability issues in windy conditions, and the close lines could restrict airflow around thicker garments, possibly extending drying times. However, these are minor drawbacks considering its overall functionality.

Despite these points, the Minky Airer remains a top choice for anyone needing a reliable, easy-to-use drying option.

It’s particularly effective for travellers and those needing a temporary or movable solution. If you're looking for flexibility and sturdiness in an airer, this product is definitely worth considering.

£39.21 Buy On Amazon

Addis 40 m 4-Arm Rotary Airer

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.

Homegear Outdoor 4 Arm 50m Rotary Clothes Airer Dryer

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.

Leifheit Linomatic Rotary Washing Line 500 Comfort, 50 m

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Katie Mills( Content Editor & Fitness Fanatic )

Content editor, marketer and product tester. A regular contributor for the ‘Home And Garden’ and Modern Homes Magazines, now part of a close-knit team, I oversee all the content on Posh. All roads have led to this job which I love. I get to focus on my love of interior design and health and work with a fabulous team. The role brings me a good level of freedom to my family and me and keeps me productive