Why should I buy an Austral Clothes Line rather than another Brand?

Austral’s Clothes Lines offer a greater choice of styles with more line space for greater drying flexibility. You can reduce your carbon footprint by buying an Austral Clothes Line too. Not only are Austral Clothes Lines manufactured right here in Australia, they’re built to last in Australia’s harsh climate. Even the price will surprise you. Strong, sturdy Austral Clothes Lines cost about the same as some imported brands!

What percentage of Austral’s clothes lines are Australian made?

100% of Austral’s Clothes Lines and Accessories are Australian Made in our own Victorian factory using all Australian labour. All steel, plastic, wire and cord are manufactured in Australia to Austral’s own Specifications to ensure Austral Clothes Lines remain a durable product in your backyard.

Do Austral products carry a Warranty?

Yes. Austral Clothes Lines offers a 10 year structural guarantee. Austral guarantees the tubular frame against breakage caused from rust and distortion on all Galvabond products given fair wear and tear. All Austral’s Clothes Lines are manufactured using Galvabond steel to ensure long term protection from the elements.

Can I install a Fold Down Wall Mount on my wall if the wall is shorter than the length of your Clothes Line?

Yes. All Austral Fold Down Clothes Lines have tubular steel front bars which may be easily reduced in length with a hack saw or angle grinder. Reduce the front bar by the required length prior to inserting into pre-assembled side arms during installation.

Can I hang my sheets without folding or gathering them to fit?

Yes you can. Most of Austral’s Fold Downs are 2400mm long – long enough to fit a Queen sized sheet. Even the Fold Away 45 Rotary will hold a Queen sized sheet on the external lines and the FoldAway 51 will hold a King sized sheet . The RetractAway 40 only needs to extend 2.4m to fit a Queen sized sheet.

At what height should I install my clothes line?

The general recommendation for a Fold Down Wall Mount, is to fix the wall bracket’s top bolt approximately 50mm above the user’s head height. Consideration may need to be given to taller family/friends if they help to hang the washing out, or the Fold Down Wall Mount is to be installed in a walkway.

I don’t want a Clothes Line in my back yard. Can I put one down the side of the house?

Yes. Austral manufactures one of the narrowest Fold Downs available. Most side paths are only 800-900mm wide. The Austral Slenderlines are only 59cm deep and will easily fit into a narrow side path. Both the Slenderline 16 and 20 may be wall mounted or free-standing.

I have a cement path down the side of my home and not enough wall space to place a Fold Down. Is there an alternative?

Yes. Austral manufactures Fold Down Ground Mount Kits (for the rectangular framed lines) and RetractAway Posts with welded metal base plates. These plated kits are pre-drilled and powdercoated for direct fixing onto cement slab/path and tiled floors etc. The alternative is to core drill a neat hole in which you can install the upright legs or rotary column. This is generally not an alternative for upper level dwellings.

Can I install a Clothes Line on my garage/shed wall?

As long as you have sufficient structural support on the intended wall you can install a Clothes Line directly on the wall. You may need to install the Clothes Line using a Ground Mount Kit near the garage/shed if there is not sufficient structural support.

Can I install a Clothes Line directly onto a fence?

That depends on several factors. Firstly, it is recommended you check with your local Council (or Strata Corp.) if there are any regulations governing the installation directly onto a fence in your area. The fence posts would need to be very strong and well supported – your neighbour is likely to hold you responsible if the fence collapses. A Colorbond fence is not suitable for direct fixing. It is advisable to install a Ground Mount Kit as close as possible to the fence to ensure adequate support.

Can I install a Clothes Line on a blue sheet wall?

Yes as long as there is sufficient structural support. If you are about to renovate or your home is at planning stage, you could allow for additional structural support to suit your choice of clothesline.

I want a second Clothes Line for wet weather drying. What options do I have?

You have several options. The Austral RetractAway Clothes Line is suitable for use in carports, garages and verandahs and will lock in at a minimum distance of 2m in length.

The Fold Downs range in depth from 59cm – 94cm – 150cm. They have more line space than other Fold Downs so offer far more flexibility for winter drying. The Fold Downs are suitable for internal and external use as they can fit into any distance required.

Some home owners have installed a second Ground Socket for a FoldAway Rotary under a pergola or carport. During summer the clothes are dried in the sun and during winter they move their FoldAway Rotary under cover for wet weather drying. Remember that line drying your clothes for even a few hours will save power and energy – even if you do finish them off in the electric dryer!

I love my Rotary Clothes Line but I’m worried about down sizing to a Fold Down.

How does line space compare?

Yes the Fold Downs do hold less washing than the traditional Rotary but Austral’s Fold Downs do have more line space than other Brands. Austral’s Add-A-Line Fold Down holds a massive 35.7m of line space – that’s approximately ¾ the line space of a Rotary! Even the Standard and Compact Fold Downs hold 28.5m. If you do a lot of washing at once – for example on your one day off – you could install 2 Fold Downs side by side. That would be equivalent to the largest of Rotaries.

My partner has arthritis. How easy is it to operate your Fold Down lines?

The Austral Fold Downs have a one-handed operation to raise or lower the frame. Pull up with one hand on the centre front bar until the line locks into position. Push up firmly to release the catch and allow the line to fold down.

Why is the recommended area greater than the clothes line size?

You should allow approximately 25-30cm extra depth for operational ease of a Fold Down. A Rotary requires a little more room around the exterior line. This allows sheets, blankets etc. to blow in the wind without brushing against shrubbery or fences.

How easily can I get spare parts?

Austral’s Clothes Lines are made in Australia so spare parts are readily available for all models.

Why should I use an outdoor clothes line rather than my electric clothes dryer?

The obvious answer is duty to your environment. Not only do you reduce your carbon foot print significantly by line drying your clothes but you will also have much smaller power bills. Your clothes will last longer and smell fresher when line dried.

We realize it isn’t always practical to dry outdoors all year around but ask you to consider an alternative greener approach. Consider a second undercover clothes line or line drying wet clothes for as long as possible before finishing damp clothes in an electric dryer.

Austral’s Clothes Lines use free solar and wind energy to dry your clothes. Our clothes lines are virtually maintenance free and will continue to save you money for many years.

What environmental advantages do clothes airiers provide

Buying a Cast in Style Kitchen Maid Clothes airier is one of the most ecological and environmentally friendly solutions you can do for your home and our planet. By using the naturally warm rising air which occurs in any home, the Kitchen Maids will dry a whole load of washing in around 2-4 hours. Always try to buy the longest airier you can accommodate in your home to take the maximum advantage of the airiers. Everything we do to produce our clothes airiers has the environment in mind. Our wooden slats come from well managed sustainable  forests who employ the principle of every tree which is cut down at least one new one is grown to replace it. Cast iron is one of the most recyclable materials available on the planet. Every run off and unwanted metal is never wasted, everything is recycled and melted back down to make more cast iron parts.

Are the wooden laths treated with anything or left natural

The wood is deliberately not treated with anything as if it is it can sometimes stain the clothes. We suggest you keep the laths as we send them to you and they will provide many years of service for your airier.

What is powder coating

Powder coating is a special coloring technique which is mainly used on metal as an excellent way to not only color but provide a very tough protective coating to the metal part. It is sprayed onto the part as a free-flowing dry powder. The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that the powder coating does not require a solvent solution to keep the color in a liquid form, instead it is spray applied electrostatically using the dry powder. The coating is then baked in an oven to cure it under heat. This allows it to flow and form a hard skin over the surface of the iron. This process can look very unusual to someone who has never seen it before as the dry powder is usually nearly always white in color, baking it changes its chemical composition and it changes color before your eyes to the final color you want, as it enters the oven. It is used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. Powder coating is mainly used for coating of metals and is perfect for cast iron. It creates a vibrant beautiful color finish which will enhance the beauty of your clothes airier.

Can I use your airiers on a sloping ceiling

Yes you can. Our clothes airiers are perfect for sloping ceilings. The airier must be kept level for correct operation so it simply means that the rope from one end of the airier to the ceiling pulley is longer than the other end, therefore holding the airier level. The only thing you need to consider it that the airier can only be pulled as high as the lowest point on your sloping roof. If this is high enough so as to allow the airier to be pulled up out of the way then it won't be a problem. Ceiling can slope in all sorts of directions but our airier will work with any of them.

What is the purpose of extra pulleys

Our clothes airiers are supplied with one single pulley and one double pulley as standard which provide a full working pulley system for your airier to travel up and down on. Should you wish to position the clothes airier away from the wall it may be necessary to extend the run of the rope across the ceiling so that it may travel to the cleat hook at a right angle as opposed to diagonally from the main pulley. When fixed above the cleat hook, a second double pulley provides the pivot to allow you to do this.

What is a cleat

The cleat is a small retaining hook used to secure the rope of the pulley airier to the wall and hold it securely in place. It is needed to hold the airier in the chosen position once you hoist it up to the ceiling, it is also used to hold the airier in position when loading it with clothes. The cleat is fixed to the wall near the airier with screws provided.

Do they come with instructions are they difficult to fit

Our clothes airiers come with full instructions and are available on our web site.We have made them as straight forward as possible to assemble. All you will need is a drill to drill 2 pilot holes in the ceiling joists for the pulleys, and 2 holes for the fitting of the cleat. The joists are found under most ceilings and our instructions guide you through how to locate them.

What is the history of clothes airiers

Clothes airiers have been around for about 200 years. Popularly used by the Victorians from the early 19th century, they were common in many households. Originally called creels, Scotch airiers and Magic Airiers these ego airiers have made an amazing come back. With modern day concerns about the environment they have become an old age idea brought straight into the new, and provide a beautiful and practical solution to global warming by reducing electricity used by conventional tumble dryers. Ask grandma, she knows best!