There are many different types of outdoor washing line out there. These lines have different approaches, designs, and purposes. Before you get started with choosing a particular line, you need to decide what you are going to be using it for and how much you are going to use it. Then all you have to do is go and buy one!
In this article, we take a look at a couple of the most popular types of washing lines you’ll find in gardens up and down the UK.
Rotary Dryers
Rotary driers are the sort most people have in the garden, which involve a central pole mounted into the ground and arms folding out at the top to support the cable. The arms usually spin in the wind to help with the drying process. The size of the line you choose will have a significant impact on how much you can hang at once, so a larger line is a great choice for family use.
Here are some great choices of lines for on the Rotary Washing Line reviews website.
Retractable Lines
These are mounted on a wall, and have one or more cables than pull out, and fix to a hook on the other side of the garden. They’re popular because they wind back into the unit on the wall, hence the name retractable washing line.
While they can stretch across the whole garden, they often don’t offer as much hanging space as the rotary airers, so it’s a bit of an optical illusion!
One of the most popular retractable lines on Amazon is this dual line by Minky.
Eco Credentials
An outdoor washing line is very important in an environmentally friendly world. Not only does it reduce your impact on the environment, but it also saves you money. Some types of lines are even priced to fit your budget. It is important to know what you need before you start shopping so that you will be able to get the right one for you.
The alternative for most homes is a tumble dryer, and they’re one of the biggest electricity gobbling devices in the home. They combine heating and a motor, meaning their energy use can be a significant proportion of the overall electricity bill over the course of a year.
Of course, outdoor washing lines are of little use on rainy days, so may never replace a tumble dryer completely, however there are also other options available like indoor airers to hang washing on too.
All in all, using a washing line instead of a machine to dry is a good idea, both for the environment and to save money. Yes, you need to buy the line initially, but the same goes for a tumble dryer or washer dryer. A line will last many years, usually longer than an appliance too, and a good washing line is a lot cheaper to start with.
Always buy a line that’s big enough for your needs – on hot summer days the clothes will dry quickly, but in the colder seasons you may need to get something to hold a couple of wash loads in case the first isn’t dry before the second wash cycle completes. Many rotary lines in particular are designed to offer large drying capacity.