Clothesline Supply and Installation: 18 Do’s and Don’ts You Must Know!
Purchasing a clothesline nowadays is no longer like a simple walk in the park.
There are so many options out there in the wild that it can get quite overwhelming mostly when looking for the ideal clothesline supply and installation experts in your area.
That is exactly why we have created a list that can help you avoid the many problems that can stem from trusting the wrong people.
Problems like getting the wrong clothes drying line or even purchasing the right model of airer only to end up with an installation job that is far from ideal.
Let us start it all off with the things that you should take into consideration when choosing a clothesline as well as clothesline supply and installation experts in your area.
The Do’s:
1. Do Pay Attention to the Brand
This one is a no-brainer, it is not hard to see why you would want to shell out your hard-earned money on a clothesline brand that is engineered and manufactured in Australia.
Local companies have the knowledge and expertise to design products that can withstand our extreme climate—a major factor if you want your clothesline to last for the decades to come.
Simple features that are often overlooked include the type of metal used for the frame, nuts, bolts, and other parts that complete the clothesline.
The type of finish like powder coat paint versus the typical polyurethane coating used by lesser brands are big things to consider, too, since those are what makes for a reliable clothes line.
We have already discussed this in a previous post, you can check out our really helpful article on how to buy a clothesline that really lasts for an in-depth look at the materials and build quality of a good clothesline.
Companies like Hills, Austral, Eco, Brabantia, Foxydry, and TopLine are some of the more popular brands that design/manufacture washing lines in Australia.
We have a very good track record with these companies and the customer ratings reflect our positive sentiments.
You might want to keep these brands at the top of your list if you want a long-lasting clothesline that will serve you problem-free in the years to come.
2. Do Your Research
Knowledge is power, nothing beats knowing what you are dipping your toes into and that may seem like an overstatement since we are ‘just’ talking about clothes lines, then again, these simple little workhorses can be considered as investments.
Considering the overall cost of acquiring one, they will definitely last a very long time if cared for so it is best to think ahead and make sure that you have got all the bases covered.
It is a good practice to browse forums or social media networking sites for people who discuss about the clothesline model that you want since those are the places where people exchange ideas and experiences on their own purchases.
Some shops offer clotheslines with lower prices compared to others, however, do take into account the consequence of saving a few dollars but comes with the headache that you might encounter in the long run.
You may have bought the clothesline at a cheaper price but is the store you bought it from renowned for its after-sales support? Think hard about that.
Remember, you are not just paying for the product itself but also the customer experience!
It is completely fine to spend a tiny bit more on the same model of washing line if the store has excellent customer service that is backed by thousands of reviews that are 101% real and verified not just on their own website but on third-party product review sites as well.
3. Do Read Reviews About the Seller
Google is the your number one source for reliable ratings when it comes to clothesline supply and installation services in your area, if you cannot find localised results you can always get in touch with clothesline stores that cover your suburb.
Always make sure that the websites you visit are reputable, if something is too good to be true or if the clothesline and store ratings seem shady then it probably is! Some companies even go as far as to make fake reviews to lure potential customers!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We decided to install a second clothesline after 6 years of building our house. The quality of the first Austral clothesline is what made us by another Austral from Lifestyle.
After 5 years our original Austral is still in pristine condition unlike other brands thrat we have purchased in the past where the plastic fitting have deteriorated in the harsh Aussie sun.
The process of purchasing through Lifestyle Cotheslines was very easy and quick. The staff were very helpful in answering my questions.
Lifestyle Clotheslines Testimonial via ProductReview.com.au
It is pretty easy to tell if the reviews are fake, if the review body for the clothesline you are interested in is empty yet has five stars, if you do not see any ‘verified review/purchase’ label of some sort...
...or if the statements on there are pretty general or vague like “Awesome!” or “Great” then something is up.
It is a must for the seller to be trustworthy since they the front-liners when it comes to warranty claims should anything happen to your clothesline in the future.
So make sure to purchase from a reputable clothesline supply store or retailer that have a good history in terms of after-sales service and customer satisfaction.
4. Do Read Reviews About the Installers
Apart from the clothesline supply store, it should be clear by now that the clothesline installers that they have or have chosen as partners are knowledgeable of the products they install.
Installation jobs are not a one-size-fits-all kind of affair, in most cases, installation procedure differ from one model to another regardless if they are of the same brand.
It is important for the clothesline installation professionals to follow the manufacturer’s requirements for each model they install and to follow specified installation procedures.
Make sure to find out about the experience of other people who have dealt with the installers of a certain clothesline shop that you are eyeing on, this is a good indicator of how your experience might turn out.
Installation jobs are not a one-size-fits-all kind of affair, in most cases, installation procedure differ from one model to another regardless if they are of the same brand.
It is important for the clothesline installation professionals to be adept at the manufacturer’s requirements for each model they install.
They must follow the manufacturer's recommended installation requirements to guarantee the safe and stable mounting of your clothesline.
5. Do Educate Yourself About Warranty Coverage
Knowing the length of your clothes line’s warranty is one thing, being aware of what it covers is another.
Do not be blinded by manufacturers or clothes line supply centres that just say they have the longest warranty.
Read about the warranty details, some brands have warranties that only cover certain parts of the airer, parts that rarely encounter problems in the short term like the frame, hinges, etc.
When something goes wrong you will be surprised to know that the connecting parts/brackets, latch mechanism, reeling system, and other components which experience the most failure are only covered for one year.
Just like fridges and washers that have huge “10 year warranty!” stickers on them, look closer and more often than not, there will be a smaller text that says ‘on compressor’ which rarely breaks down anyway.
The same marketing tactics apply here.
Even if you purchase from a different store, you will most likely see the same information so you can take a look at the warranty period for the clothesline you are interested in right here without having to do some more digging on the internet.
6. Do Find Reputable and Authorised Service Providers in Your Area
It is imperative that you choose a clothesline supply store and installation professionals that are easy to get in touch with, obviously you will want to be able to have any issues the future resolved as swift as possible.
Nothing beats the feeling of complacence knowing that you can rely on your chosen clothesline supply and installation experts when it comes to fixing problems with your clothesline in the future.
With our wonderfully extreme climate, there is definitely a possibility for your clothes airer to wear down prematurely or even be damaged in the event of a bad storm and such, you will certainly require the help of a washing line professional.
If you opt to for a washing line outlet that offers installation services in your area, chances are, they can easily deploy someone to take care of things for you.
However, if you chose to have a clothesline shipped to your home and you installed it yourself, there is no way of knowing if they can service your area reliably unless you give them a call and find out for yourself.
Good thing a lot of clothesline supply shops have multiple installation partners in many cities throughout Australia so no need to worry.
You will not end up empty-handed unless you live in an extremely remote area that is at least four hours away from areas like Dubbo!
7. Do Choose the Right Surface for Installation
As we have discussed earlier, the washing line installer’s knowledge is just one aspect of the process, what’s important at the end of the day is that the clothesline will be installed where you want it to be.
Do keep in mind that it is a good idea for you to seek advice/suggestions from the installers themselves since they know what’s best in this regard.
Ceiling Clotheslines
Requires sturdy supporting underneath the ceiling panels, great for saving space inside your home.
Freestanding Clotheslines
Offers the best flexibility when choosing a location but requires the most work.
You can ask them for opinions while taking into consideration your preferences in terms of aesthetics and convenience.
This guarantees a perfect installation job that won’t end up being an eyesore, will be reliable, and [most importantly] allow your clothesline to do its magic efficiently with the help of sunlight and a steady breeze.
Different mounting surfaces call for different installation procedures so drilling concrete to mount a fold-down clothesline have a few different steps/equipment compared to securing one on masonry or wood panelling just to set an example.
Take a look at this page to find out more about installation of washing lines on various surfaces.
8. Do Listen to Your Peers’ Experiences
The best insight is the one provided by people who actually experienced the product themselves.
Know the pros and cons of owning a clothesline that your friend/relative has and try to visualise or compare your usage scenario to theirs.
That is a surefire way to determine if a washing line will work for you or not!
Make sure to ask not just about the pros and cons but minor quirks and convenience when using a certain model.
Ask them if it is worth the money or if they would have chosen something else, ask why so you will know which route to take when your purchasing decision will soon be made!
Don’t forget to take into account if you have issues with mobility or ailments like arthritis which can make the use of knobs/dials difficult.
This may pose as an issue when it comes to ease of use, ask your friends if the washing line might work for you since they most likely have an idea about your usage at home.
9. Do Size Your Clothesline Properly
We have said this before and we will say this again: it is a good idea to oversize your washing lines a little bit.
Yes, a little oversized clothes line is a properly sized clothesline.
While most manufacturers and clothes drying line centres recommend at least 8 to 9 metres of drying line space per person, we recommend 10-12 metres of line space per user.
There are times when you will need to dry large articles like bed linen and curtains, the more people in a given household, chances are, the bigger the house is so more beddings, curtains, and towels to dry.
This eliminates the need for using the tumble dryer and in the event of a clothes drying emergency like friends/relatives staying over for extended periods.
A spacious clothesline will give you tons of room to do just that without the additional effort of loading the washer in multiple partial batches.
Not only will you save on energy and detergent, you also get to spend more time entertaining friends and family or relaxing by simply having a bigger washing line.
Couples and small families living in larger homes like townhouses can definitely opt for the roomier yet economical Eco 300 fold-down clothes lines which can give you the best in terms of flexibility when choosing a location since it can be converted into a freestanding unit.
If you want the best of the best and your home has the space for it then nothing beats the Hills Hoist family of rotary clothes drying lines.
These tried and tested iconic works of wonder are available with more than 50 metres of drying line space without consuming too much area in your yard—perfect for big, happy families!
The Don'ts:
1. Don’t Be Impulsive
When looking for clothesline supply and installation experts, last minute decisions are a huge no-nos, you are basically asking for regret and headaches if you take that route.
Think of the vital things we have mentioned above, if you want to ensure a hassle-free clothesline experience then it is pretty obvious what you are supposed to do.
Do not be blinded by the unnecessary bells and whistles that some clotheslines come with, the more moving parts your clothesline have the greater the chance of something breaking in the future.
What’s important is the simplicity, build quality, materials used, and the suitability of the washing line for your usage.
If you have big and heavy articles like jeans then go for a solid washing line like Hills Hoists, Eco, Evolution, or even Austral clothes airers that will easily handle anything.
2. You Don’t Have to Buy the Most Expensive Model
Always bear in mind that you do not always get what you pay for and the most expensive clotheslines are not always the best but some can most certainly be.
The wonderful thing nowadays is the fact that you can get really good quality clothesline systems that will hardly break the bank, there are so many options out there in the wild that it can get quite confusing for many of us!
Most fold-downs, retractables, and portable clotheslines are priced within the $50 AUD to $250 AUD range.
More premium ones like stainless steel and laser welded models like the Eco and Evolution 316 [respectively] can run you anywhere between $300 AUD to $700 AUD or more (depending on the size).
Galvanised Steel Clotheslines
Highly durable and affordable but not as resistant to rusting, can still last a lifetime if done right.
Aluminium Clotheslines
Reliable, resistant to corrosion yet economical. Aluminium clotheslines offer the sweet spot!
The latter pair may seem a bit excessive at first but you will realise that the workmanship involved in making stainless steel washing lines is no mean feat and their astounding reliability only increase their value much further!
Stainless steel washing lines really do last a lifetime and most of the time, even more than a few lifetimes! Also, per our statement earlier, it is not just the product you are paying for but the assurance of peace of mind and great service should anything happen.
The Evolution clothesline’s price may be up there but the 80 year warranty alone more than makes up for its amazing craftsmanship and top-notch engineering so we think that this one is actually pretty worth it.
3. Don’t Be a Penny Pincher
While being practical is a good thing, do not forget that a reliable clothes line doesn’t come cheap either; you will most certainly get what you pay for if you make the right choice.
It is all about research and knowing your priorities when selecting an airer in order to determine the right amount of money you will have to spend.
Here is a checklist that will help you determine your budget and perfect clothes line for your needs:
Start with your required drying line space (at least 10-12 metres of line space per person in a household)
Determine where the airer will be situated (to find out if you will need a free standing, wall mounted, ceiling mounted, etc.)
Type of washing line to get per your preferences in terms of convenience and aesthetics (ie. fold-down, retractable, standard hoist, folding hoist, portable, etc.)
Finish and build quality of the clothes line.
Once you have got all of that sorted out then you are pretty much ready to start clothesline shopping but keep reading until the end before you start clicking on that ‘Add to Cart’ button.
4. Do Not Believe Everything That the Sellers or Installers Say...
...but don’t rule out their suggestions unless they are blatantly hard-selling you into getting something that you do not want.
Personal gains can always be an agenda when it comes to some retailers, some will offer washing line models that are more expensive without actual gains on the customer’s end.
This is simply because most do not need the added features and those might not be suitable for their needs.
At the end of the day, the customer experience should be the priority for both the clothesline retailer and the installers.
They can make suggestions but they should not insist on providing products and services that the customers do not need!
Some salespeople can be too pushy, it is important for customers to not get themselves in too deep.
They should only trust washing line stores and installers that have their best interest and like always, reviews and ratings can and will do the talking when it comes to their credibility.
5. Don't Read the Fine Print
Not all warranties are the same, some say certain years or even decades but you might be surprised to know that only the frame itself—not crucial parts that break down most of the time are covered.
Plastic moving parts, creaky hinges, wobbly main assembly, etc. those are the telltale signs of a badly made/designed clothes washing line for you to avoid.
If you have no other choice due to budget constraints or lack of choices, it is best to read the warrant coverage to make sure that you get your money’s worth should problems arise.
6. Don’t Undersize Your Clothesline
We know that we are stating the obvious and we have already talked about this earlier but let us stress it again, you do not want a clothesline with a paltry amount of drying line space!
Getting a clothes drying line that is too small will just annoy you and force you into getting another one to compensate for the lack of space.
Installation services are not exactly cheap and the additional cost in the future might be something to keep in mind mostly if you are on a tight budget.
7. Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions
Tell the installers/store what you want, and what your expectations are.
It can be easy to forget that you are actually the office in charge. In order for clothesline supply and installation experts to to actually cater to your needs, you have to tell them what you want.
This will help them cater their suggestions and service to your needs and virtually eliminates the guesswork as well as minimise the margin of error so the chances of a satisfactory clothesline shopping experience will be very high.
Don’t be a know-it-all either and reject every suggestion they make they are the experts on this front.
If you chose a reputable washing line shop/installer you should trust them, you can ask them for help if you are confused about something or not sure about the clothesline you are getting too.
8. Don’t Choose a Bad Area for Clothes Line Installation
We always recommend that clotheslines be placed anywhere except near trees.
Tress can significantly affect the drying performance of your washing line due to the chances of wind/sunlight being blocked.
Tall plants can wreak havoc on your clothes by means of hard-to-clean sap and resin that can find their way onto the drying lines then your clothes.
It is also a good idea to keep your clothesline away from bushes and shrubs to minimise the odds of ants and other insects from ending up in your freshly laundered articles.
Finding the right spot to install your washing line just boils down to these four rules:
Find a breezy space with the best sunlight exposure.
Avoid any sort of ventilation or exhaust port.
Keep distance from trees and bushes.
Take advantage of partially covered areas while taking into account the first rule.
9. Don’t Forget About Clothesline Cover
Most people think of having a rotary washing line cover only because they need to shield their clothes from the rain.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of rewards to be reaped in having one and it's not just to protect our clothes from getting wet in the event of a storm.
It will also keep clothes from being exposed to excessive amounts of intense ultraviolet/UV rays.
As many of us know, the sun’s UV rays cause premature damage in our skin.
A blatant proof of this is clotheslines with cheap plastic fittings which tend to suffer from brittleness and colour fading as the years pass by, the same thing can be said about clothes.
Nothing beats the feeling of complacence knowing that your clothes are protected from the rain when you are busy doing something else.
So getting a washing line cover won’t be like letting your money go down the drain—it adds value to your investment and makes your garments last even longer.
Final Words
We believe that customer satisfaction is the number priority above all else, after all, not every clothesline store is the same.
We hope that this article helped you in finding the clothesline for your needs.
Choosing the right clothesline supply and installation centre will surely make your laundry days ahead so much more satisfying and worry-free.
If our recommendations here didn't make the cut and you want to know more about finding the perfect clothesline that will suit your specific requirements, check out this article.