THERE are lots of good reasons to ditch the tumble dryer in favour of air drying, from concerns about to environment to accidental shrinking.

Air drying can be done year round, indoors or out, and is perfect in the summer; if you're not sure which one to buy these are the best washing lines that are both durable and substantial.

For those concerned about the environment, air drying clothes on a washing line is an easy way to reduce a rather large carbon footprint in the home - and it can save you money, too.

When looking for a washing line, there are a few factors to consider, like length, design and cost - some of the top washing lines can be yours for under £15, so it's a fairly inexpensive purchase for the home. 

A basic option is to buy a washing line with a steel core - strong and resilient, these can be fastened to trees or fence posts.

For those looking for a more advanced option, consider a retractable washing line: these come as single or dual length lines, and are easy to mount to the wall.

If you need a washing line for travel, you can find peg-free versions, while those with tons of weekly washing might want to invest in a designer bells-and-whistles washing line from a trusted brand like Brabantia.

This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.

This PVC-coated washing line with a steel core can support a lot without requiring a ton of space - the 50m design holds up to 200kg of pulling force and has a 4mm thickness.

Secure it to trees, a balcony or a garden fence, use it to set up an inside drying rack in your utility room, or string it on a rotary clothes horse.

The general consensus? It's incredibly 'strong' and gets the job done.

A retractable washing line is a smart choice that hides away when not in use, and Minky's design is a popular one.

Choose from 15m or 30m - this 15m set includes 24 coloured pegs, and has a UV protective casing.

It also comes with all the wall fixings required to mount it to a wall - although reviewers note you might fare better using your own fixings.

It works well but isn't designed for super-heavy loads (lots of towels, etc).

Fixing a washing line to the wall saves space and when it looks as good as this one from Amazon, it's an amazing alternative to dug up lawns.

At lees than £29, this mid-range washing line has five arms, enough for a big wash to hang out in the sun.

The reviews say it's really easy to fit and assemble too. Win, win.

Suitable for outdoor and indoor use, Livivo's dual retractable washing line is built with two 15m washing lines that can be used separately.

The lines come in a UV-stabilised protective ABS casing that's durable and weather-resistant, with a quick-release wall mount and all of the kit you need to secure it to the side of your balcony, garden wall or in a utility room.

'I’m very pleased. I have a small courtyard back garden and this is ideal. I’ve used it quite a few times and it is strong enough to hold heavy towels, sheets and duvet cover', writes a happy customer.

Argos Home Dri 30m Washing Line & Post, £20 from Argos - buy here

This strong pole and washing line has 30m of drying space and is easy to put up and stabilise.

Reviewers are impressed with the quality and brilliant price - it's also got a two-year guarantee.

This travel-friendly washing line stretches to 3 metres and lets you hang clothes without any pegs - just tuck the clothes in between the strands of elastic to secure, when the line is tense.

The hooks are a good design point that allows for easy looping around trees, poles, etc., and this washing line also hangs easily in the bathroom (just loop the hooks around the shower and towel rails).

This could change your views about travel laundry for good...

Brabantia Lift-O-Matic Advance Rotary Washing Line, £111.99 from John Lewis - buy here

If you're looking to spend a bit more on a designer piece of kit to up your air drying game, than Brabantia's Lift-O-Matic rotary washing line is the critics' choice in terms of quality, design, appearance and functionality.

Big enough to dry a family load, it has an easy-lift system so you can adjust the height (between 149cm and 197cm), as well as rotating dryer arms.

There are holes for clothes hangers, so you can hang any dresses or wrinkle-prone items, and the washing line includes a wet-weather cover and a waterproof peg bag with hook.

'Good quality washing line and cover for when not in use.

'Have wanted one for a while - although dearer than most other lines, it pays to spend the extra money as it’s good quality, easy to put up and down, lots of drying space, would highly recommend!' writes a happy customer.

Fed up of the washing line being out when you're not using it?

This automatic retractable washing line can be retracted and hidden away when you're not using it, making it less unsightly and less dangerous.

The 15m clothesline is also wall-mountable and can be used indoors and outdoors.

It's made of strong, durable plastic, and its red line means there's greater visibility.

The Rotaspin Heavy Duty Retractable line offers five lines of seven metres in one.

Simply attach the line to your wall then fasten the other end with the hooks – there's so much room to dry a huge wash of clothes.

It's a plastic case with PVC coated polyester lines and one of Homebase's best-selling washing lines.

Let us introduce you to a very British-friendly invention: the umbrella clothes line.

Hate having to rush out every time the clouds start to darken? Wayfair's answering your prayers.

The reviews are enough to persuade anyone with people writing things like: "Fantastic product that means I can dry my clothes outside whatever the weather. Having used this for a good few months now, I can say it is very easy to put up and take down, taking up very little space once folded down."

If you're lucky enough to have a spacious brick wall on the outside of your house then you might as well use it for a washing line.

The Argos Home Wall Mounted Airer saves room meaning you don't have to worry about your washing hogging the grass.

There are some positive reviews on Argos too, like, "We purchased this to help save space. Which it certainly does. At first felt a bit flimsy and light weight. But then realised that it was because there is no pole to put in the ground. Which we didn’t want. The other excellent thing about this is that it came with 2 wall mounts. So it can be installed in deferent locations easily."

Not everyone wants to ruin their grass by sticking a huge pole inside it. Some people might prefer the Lakeland Free-Standing Outdoor Rotary Airer.

For less than £55, it has four legs meaning that you can pop it on the patio, grass or even inside your home when it's raining.

And you can say hello to a much tidier lawn.

Assembling a washing line depends on the design that you have chosen. The most classic styles require a hole being made in the grass which is the perfect size to slot it in without it falling over.

If you have a line which attaches to a wall, follow the instructions on how to put it up. You might need a hammer or screw driver, depending on where you are fitting it.

You can tell when you've found one of the best retractable washing line because you'll have it in place for years, coping through any weather that hits it.

Quality ones don't sag too much and manage to hold a lot of washing without the end falling down.

Make sure that your retractable washing line can be either hooked onto your wall or securely hammered/drilled onto it.

If your retractable washing line is sagging, you have to tighten it. There is usually either a wheel to tighten it, or you can do it manually.

It might also help if you space out your clothes so that the weight is evenly distributed.

We've designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won't break the bank.

Tempted by an eco laundry egg? You'll love our roundup of eco-friendly laundry products.

Enjoyed our roundup of best washing lines? Then you might like our selection of the best kettle and toaster sets, too.

This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.

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