Brabantia WallFix Retractable Washing Line with Protective Fabric Cover (24m) Wall-Mounted Foldaway Clothes Air Dryer (Silver)

As has been stated by other reviewers, this item is moderately fragile. The alloy is quite thin, and does not instill confidence in it's tensile strength. However, that being said, if this is used with care it works just fine. It took me about 20 minutes to install it on the wall, including finding an 8mm drill bit and it feels quite solid once mounted. There are four rubber gromits that fit on the back of this to cushion it against the wall, and I suppose to give it some cushioning from vibration in the wind. This also has the benefit of reducing vibration noise against the wall. The screws are adequate and fit the unit well enough with the supplied washers. You do need to use a reasonable amount of strength to pull this from the wall until the catch clicks into place, and of course as has been mentioned here - to lift it away from the wall to disengage the catch before folding it away. It is best to do this with a bit of caution, simply because the frame is not very solid, so is fairly easy to bend or buckle.There is no template for mounting this, which I think is something the company should supply. It's all well and good giving us the measurements on the sheet in small print with a small diagram of the mounting plate. I mean, how much extra cost is it to put in a paper template? It would save time and trouble for the customer. For myself I made my own template from the back place, rather than dismantling the thing or fiddling with the assembled unit to mark the holes.There is no fixed height to mount this unit, it is advised to mount it at a comfortable height, so the top of the mounting plate is slightly above the head of the person using it. When you see how it works, this makes a lot of sense. Once I showed my wife how this unit works, and how to release the catch again, she has been using this comfortably. We're both getting a lot of use out of this as the main rotary dryer is out the back of the property in the middle of the grass, this one is mounted closer to the back door at the end of the patio. It's easier to get to when the weather is questionable, and as it folds away neatly it doesn't interfere when we are sitting out there or entertaining.Once this is pulled out and locked, it is quite large and will take a fair amount of washing. For us this means that the larger household items can go on the bigger rotary dryer, and smalls, underoos, t-shirts and other washing can go on this thing. It does mean we get more washing done in a day which is a bonus in some ways and a bane in others (more ironing for instance...)This answered a need for us, and allows us to hang washing out on days when the weather is less than perfect, and dash out to grab it quick if there's rain, without a long sprint down the garden and a wet trudge back carrying a heavy load. I suspect that because of it's convenience it is going to get more use than the larger rotary dryer.Great idea, well made and finished. Some care needs to be taken when fitting and using this item because of the way it is constructed, but overall this is a very nice unit that has made our lives that little bit easier. As it folds away neatly into it's own housing - either the alloy box or the provided rain cover which clips to the sides and sits tight on the top cap and bottom of the legs, it is unobtrusive and tidies away neatly.

I am so impressed by the WallFix I wanted to write a review and recommendation. I paid £92 from Amazon and it faithfully arrived the next day (thanks Prime!). I'm aware a rotary line, clothes airer or piece of rope could cost much less - I've had too many snapped, buckled, broken bits of plastic to throw away that I wanted something of better build quality. Here's why I am delighted with my purchase choice...Fixing:It is largely assembled in the box, just a case of adding a few bits once the back plate is in place. There is a guide for holes and distance on the box so all you need is to drill the holes. Long wall plugs and sturdy long screws provided, depth of hols is about 5cm. Once the holes are done, assembly is easy. The highest line will be around 30cm above the top holes. As I understand, the fixture holes are the same as older versions of the Wallfix.Use:It's easy to open and close and relises on levers - no great strength is required. It feels odd the first time to pull it out, as you'd think you need to pull downwards, but you actually pull outwards from the wall until you hear a little click. It also pushes back in very easily: when you want it to, can't see it collapsing with a wash load on it! The handle requires little grip, though you could easily tie something to it if required. The whole this can easily be placed lower unlike traditional rotary lines. This is very user friendly for anyone with a disability, such as those who use a wheelchair or experiences problems with dexterity, movement, strength or grip. The material cover has 2 poppers to keep in in place, this could be a little fiddly as the poppers are quite close to the wall once installed: I believe there is a hard casing which may be easier to open and close, though for additional cost. If it's about the asthetic, I think the bag cover looks just fine. Either way, it will keep your line clean and dry and will last longer. The washing line looks sturdy and strong. Each washing line is individually fixed: if one did snap, it would not effect the others like a traditional line. I'm unsure if Brabantia do replacement line, but normal washing line tied off at each end once threaded would work just as well.Efectiveness:It dries laundry! It doesn't rotate like a rotary line does in the wind. I guess this would decrease the drying time a fraction if it did. It easily fits 2 wash loads (I have an 8kg washer) with it's 24cm washing lines. 20kg is described as the limit. Washing would blow against the wall it is fixed to, so I'd advise that's a clean ish surface.Quality:The whole thing is strudy and feels trustworthy - it's not going to snap. The box, fixtures... everything about it is premium quality. I love that it can be folded away and forgotton about. I have read older version of this were flimsy and buckled: I am confident this one is not bending or going anywhere.Overall:Innovative and useful product... saves damaging floors with various holes - I can confidently say I've never managed to get a traditional rotary line vertical and sturdy in my life! Would very much suit smaller outside spaces: patios, balcony, courtyards, shared areas. Or even indoors, in a utility room or garage. I could also imagine it (with different bold fixings) easily attaching to a mobile home, caravan or camper van. That said, larger homes and famililies will also find it meets their needs. With the increasing cost of energy as well as the environmental impact of most electrical drying options, outdoor drying is by far my preferred option, as well as tradition and freshness. Bonus: I have a tree planted for me! I can now dry clothes easily and effectively without compromising space / asthetic or comfort.In short... Excellent product, 10/10!!

Did a lot of research on options as this was a lot of money to spend on a clothes drier but having tried everything else decided to go for it. I have a small garden with Astro turf so no options for putting a drier into the ground. Have tried many types of freestanding and they end up blowing over and also quite restricted on size. No regrets so far with this. My son found it easy to fit using the template that was on the box and it seems strong and solid. Only downside is I have severe arthritis and so far have been able to ‘click’ the catch into place (though I can put it down) but as I leave it up most of the time, this is not proving a problem. The cover is great and when line not in use its becomes very compact and discrete. Excellent item.