Umbrella clotheslines are clothing hanging structures that are also known as rotary dryers/ clotheslines. Unlike traditional T-poles, they feature one major center pole that has four arms extending outwards from the top section. The hanging lines attach to these arms. Additionally, the lines vary in number from one clothesline to another.
The benefits of Rotary Clotheslines
Rotary clothesline have numerous benefits that justify them as a leading choice for outdoor garments dryers.
Portability: The ability to carry a clothesline wherever the need arises is an important factor to consider. For instance, individuals going for camping and hiking can benefit significantly. They carry clothes with them and having lines that are compact and installable anywhere cuts the struggle of drying laundry.
Save space: Rotary dryers are space saving compared to traditional clotheslines. Today, most people especially in urban areas live in homes that have space limitations. That being the case, having one or two umbrella clotheslines can allow one to hang several loads of clothes at ago.
Environmental friendliness: Unlike dryers, rotary clotheslines are extraordinarily safe. They do not release any unwanted gases to the environment.
Ease of use: Umbrella clotheslines rely on natural sunlight and wind to dry clothes. Accordingly, you do not need to electricity or any other source of warmth.
Versatility: Rotary clotheslines are highly versatile because they can accommodate all kinds of garments. In addition, they are suitable for fibers that are not suitable for exposure to high electric dryer temperatures.
Factors to consider when buying an Umbrella Clothesline
Rotary clotheslines come in different shapes and styles. However, here are the most important factors to consider when investing in one.
Size: The size of a clothesline determines the number of garments that it can handle. If your intention is to acquire a dryer for regular home use, a size that can hold many garments might be the best for the purpose. On the other hand, a small rotary clothesline is more suitable for travelling.
Generally, rotary clotheslines come in small and large sizes. A small size can hold from 2-4 loads whereas a large one can hold from 4-6 loads.
Adjustability: An adjustable rotary dryer allows you to change the height of the lines so that you can be able to hang clothes conveniently. In general, adjustable rotary dryers are more accommodative to the needs of a family comprised of people with different heights.
Installation: A clothesline might be hard or easy to install. This depends on the installation accessories that it comes with and the nature of the installation ground.
Tensioning/no tensioning: There are rotary clothesline products that come with lines that require tensioning. On the contrary, there are those that feature lines that are already pre-tensioned. In general, pre-tensioned lines are more user-friendly. However, your choice should depend on personal preference.
Protective cover: A cover is an additional feature that protects your clothesline from collecting dust, excessive sun and other weather challenges when it is not in use.
Hanger Holes: Not all clothes can be hanged with clothespins. Hanger holes allow you to place such garments on your hangers and hang them on your lines to dry.
Best Umbrella Clotheslines
Brabantia Lift-O-Matic Rotary Dryer (Best Overall)
Size: 196 feet
Height adjustability: 40 inches – 74 inches
Installation: Easy
Protective Cover: Available
Hanger Holes: Available
After comparing different products for umbrella clothesline, Brabantia rotary dryer hits the highest points for most of the features. Firstly, if you are looking into hanging a plethora of clothes, the size of the clothesline offers you more than enough space.
With 196 feet of dying space, the room is more than sufficient for multiple loads. Furthermore, the lines are heavy duty. They accommodate items such as duvets, blankets and carpets without bowing to pressure. An interesting feature that adds to the hanging space is holes for holding hangers. Therefore, the clothesline is suitable even for clothes that are not fit for hanging with clothespins.
In respect to height, the manufacturers accommodate the needs of different people by providing a system that adjusts easily. The clothesline can be adjusted between 40 and 74 inches. Additionally, the arms can also turn effortlessly even when there are clothes hanging.
As you might already know, Brabantia and durability are synonymous. However, as an added advantage to good quality, this product comes with a protective cover. Therefore, you do not have to uninstall it during harsh weather conditions. You only collapse it and put the cover in place.
With regard to installation, the clothesline features a closable ground spike that holds firm into the ground. It is strong enough to sustain the stability of the entire item.
Other interesting features to look forward to include non-slip lines and weather-resistant coated steel arms.
Pros
- Suitable for many and heavy garments
- Strong and stable
- Features an adjustable design
- Collapsible with a protective cover for bad weather
- Suitable for clothes that cannot be hanged with clothespins
Cons
- The quality of the cover can be better
Brabantia Wallfix (Best for Wall Mounting)
Size: 78 feet
Height adjustability: Not applicable
Installation: Easy
Protective Cover: Available
Hanger Holes: Available
Brabantia Wallfix offers most of the features available in Brabantia Lift-O-Matic Rotary Dryer but it is smaller and characterized by a wall-mounting design. Accordingly, it is a better choice for people with smaller spaces.
If you live in a place with little or no compound, here is an option that you can install. It can go to the corridor, patio and utility room or on a house wall that receives ample sunlight.
The mention of smaller does not mean it cannot take a full load of clothes. The available space is reasonable. Furthermore, you can also hang big garments effortlessly.
The silver lining to this product is the ease of installation and use. You do not need to a collection of tools or additional manpower. You can do it on own by following an illustrative manual that comes with the product.
Since you get to choose the height to install the clothesline, it is highly user-friendly.
Pros
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
- Easy to install
- Collapsible and portable
- Provides hanger holes for laundry that is not clothespins friendly
- Sturdy and durable
- Folds down easily
Cons
- It does not rotate
- Relatively pricy
Household Essentials 17140-1 Rotary Dryer (Best Parallel Dryer Option)
Size: Available in 182 and 210 feet options
Height adjustability: Not adjustable
Installation: Easy
Protective Cover: Not available
Hanger Holes: Not Available
Outdoor rotary clotheslines come in different styles and if you prefer a parallel one, here is a non-regrettable option. A parallel umbrella clothesline is good. It offers a lot of hanging space with all the lines on the same level. This makes it easy to hang clothes after adjusting the clothesline to a specific height.
Another advantage with this style is the east of spreading large bedsheets and blankets over several lines. This might be harder to achieve with an umbrella shaped dryer because the clotheslines do not sit on the same level.
This dryer has 30 adjustable vinyl lines, which provide more than enough space to hang several loads of laundry all at once. You can literally skip some lines when hanging to increase air-circulation in-between clothes and still get enough space for everything you wash.
Line adjustability is an added benefit you get with this dryer because clotheslines tend to stretch overtime. A dryer without the option to adjust the lines can eventually lead to more and more drag over time.
Another critical feature to like about this dryer is the center pole. It is made of solid steel, a metal that can effortlessly last a lifetime. The pole is easy to install, and the dryer comes with a step by step installation guide.
Other features that you might find attractive include no-rust galvanized arms and a single action open and close design to help protect the clothesline when it is not in use.
Pros
- Sturdy and reliable
- Spacious
- Collapsible design
- Very easy to install
- Adjustable vinyl lines
Cons
- The height is not adjustable
- Does not have hanger holes
Strata Outdoor Rotary Dryer Clothes Line (Best Budget Option)
Size: 91”
Height adjustability: Not adjustable (81”)
Installation: Easy
Protective Cover: Not available
Hanger Holes: Not Available
If you are short of cash but in dire need of an umbrella clothesline, you can go green with Strata Store’s 91 Green rotary dryer. In particular, this is a perfect choice if you are looking for a compact outdoor dryer that you can bring to your next camping or hiking trip.
This clothesline is made to last, with a steel center pole and anchors. The steel is painted and coated with epoxy finish to prevent rusting. The lines come installed and they are adjustable. You can tighten them every time they begin to appear saggy.
Install this clothesline by inserting the ground anchor into then ground. It is as simple as that. You can uninstall the clothesline for storage during bad weather and re-install it back when the need arises.
Pros
- Cost friendly
- Compact and portable
- Easy to install and uninstall
- Sturdy and reliable
Cons
- Does not have a protective cover
- The height is not adjustable
- No hanger holes
Leifheit Linomatic 500 Umbrella Clothesline (Best for all year Outdoor Use)
Size: 164 feet
Height adjustability: Adjustable
Installation: Easy
Protective Cover: Available
Hanger Holes: Not Available
Leifheit rotary dryer may be fairly unknown in the US but users in Europe can attest to its sturdiness. Made with quality and ease of use in mind, there is little not to like about this product.
Unlike most of the umbrella clotheslines that you will come across, you can leave this one outdoors all year round. You only need to open it when hanging clothes, and fold it like an umbrella after unhanging your clothes.
Leifheit rotary dryer features nylon lines that last a long time because they retract to into the unit after you close it. This protects them from dirt and normal wear because of overexposure to harsh weather. The clothesline has 8 lines and 164 feet of drying space.
The arms and center post are made of powder coated rust-resistant aluminum, and the height of the center post is adjustable.
Pros
- Can remain outdoors all year round
- Made of high quality materials
- The lines do not become saggy over time
- Comes with a protective cover
- Adjustable height
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
Cons
- Does not have hanger holes
- Relatively pricy
Brabantia Topspinner Rotary Dryer (Best Turning Option)
Size: 164 feet
Height adjustability: Adjustable
Installation: Easy
Protective Cover: Available
Hanger Holes: Available
If you hate the idea of carrying a heavy bucket of laundry around each side of your umbrella clothesline, here is a dryer that offers a solution to that. The Topspinner turns effortlessly allowing you to hang clothes from one spot. This means that you can hang and unhang clothes on all the lines without moving an inch.
Another convenience feature is height adjustability. You can adjust the dryer to three different heights without the lines becoming saggy. The clothesline offers 164 feet hanging space but you also enjoy additional space from hanger holes that are fitted on all the arms.
The last interesting feature applies to ease of storage and maintenance. You can collapse the clothesline after use and store it until the next time you do laundry.
Pros
- Adjustable height
- Sturdy and spacious
- Spins to increase user convenience
- Easy to install
- You can uninstall for storage after use
- Provides hanger holes
Cons
- Does not come with a protective cover
