Thanks for taking your time to read our reviews on the best rotary washing lines that are currently available on the UK market.
Some people prefer a standard washing line and other people prefer this type of rotary washing line. Below we have included our best choices based on online buyer ratings. We have also included a buying guide and some advice on installing a rotary washing line or changing one out.
Rotary Washing Line Reviews
1. Brabantia Lift-O-Matic Large Rotary Airer Washing Line
This is the biggest selling rotary washing line online with over 23,000 online buyer reviews.
This is their large line at 27.9 x 45.7 x 208 centimetres
It weighs 6.16 Kg and suitable for outdoors.
This line has been designed so as the pole does not rotate in the ground spike, and it is the arms that rotate on this model making tit so much easier to spin around
You can also adjust the height of the pole (from 129 - 187 cm) to suit your own height
In the lower position it is ideal for airing cushions and bedding
All of the various arms are fitted with special holes for clothes hangers, making it perfect for drying delicate laundry
This also comes with a 5-year Brabantia guarantee
This is not the cheapest option, but it is certainly the best quality option. It is UV-resistant so it won't fade in the sun. It has a unique umbrella system that keeps the lines tight. It comes with a ground spike, pegs and a cover that you can use when the line is not being used.
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £105.99 - 94% buyer satisfaction based on 23,000 buyer reviews
2. Vileda 45m 4 Arm Rotary Dryer
This rotary line is made by the popular Vileda brand
It is classed as an outdoor rotary dryer and made from good quality alloy steel
It is a 4 arm rotary airer that has a total line length of 45 metres (about 4 lots of washing)
It has been fully painted to protect it from rust and prolong its life
It use a simple easy to use 3 position height options
The width from arm to arm is 1.65m with a 2.64 meter turning circle and a span of 2.32m.
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £49.99 - 84% buyer satisfaction based on 2,000 buyer reviews
3. JVL Compact & Robust 30M 3 Arm Steel Rotary Clothes Airer
This rotary line is made by the popular JVL brand and is the most affordable option.
It is classed as an outdoor rotary dryer and made from a coated steel frame
It is a 3 arm rotary airer that has a total line length of 30 metres (about 3 lots of washing)
The line is made from a coated PVC
It has a ground spike into which you put the bottom part of the pole. The top part with the rotary airer slides onto that.
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £24.94 - 82% buyer satisfaction based on 1,000 buyer reviews
Rotary Line Buying Guide UK
The biggest problem with any rotary line is actually fitting it so as it is secure. There are two main installation methods:
- Hammering a spike into the ground - (use a block of wood on top of the spike to prevent damage)
- Cementing the spike into the ground
Which is better?
If you can dig a hole, add a little drainage and cement the spike in, then it will not move and be very stable. However, be aware that you now have a spike that will never move. If you ever need to change the line, you need to make sure that the pole fits the existing spike or use some type of adaptor.
If you hammer the spike in, then over time with wind movement, and the weight from the laundry, the pole will work its way loose. There will come a time when you will need to re-position the line. (Or fill the hole and reset)
No matter which method you choose, you need to make sure that the spike is level, otherwise your rotary line will lie at a slant. This can be quite difficult to achieve. It takes time and patience, but worth doing it right at the start.
Changing a Rotary Line
Many homes will already have a rotary line in place. They may want to change that out. The biggest difficulty is not knowing if the new line will fit into the old holder in the ground.
This JVL spike with an adaptor is a popular solution to that problem
This helps with a quick installation of rotary airers in to firm ground
It will fit pole diameters of 40mm OR 32mm
It comes with a heavy duty galvanized steel spike and a plastic adaptor.
Check Amazon UK - Price when reviewed £7.59 - 86% buyer satisfaction based on 7,000 buyer reviews
Rotary Line Features
There are a few features that we think you should know about before making your mind up. We have listed these below with an explanation of each feature.
Basic Construction
Most lines have a number of arms and that can vary from 3-5 arms. The line is threaded through these arms, so in essence, the arms give the stability and tightness of the actual line. 5 will always be better than 3 but usually more expensive.
Length and Type of Line
Most rotary lines use standard washing lines which are coated for easy cleaning. This is usually a PVC coating which is easy to wash down with a cloth.
Opening and Closing
This can be a real pain for some people, especially if the mechanism for doing that is a standard slide up or down. The better quality rotary lines have a simple mechanical operation. The cheaper versions rely on the brute strength of your arms and hoping the line doesn't pull out of the ground.
Rotary Line Covers
If left out in the open weather these do eventually start to rust. One method of stopping this is to cover it up. Some of the better brands like Brabantia do include a cover with their lines. However, if you don't have a cover, then you can buy one.