Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why hasn't anyone thought of this idea before??

They have, but no-one has come up with a design that works.

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2. Why did you invent it?

My friends and I resented returning from work to find the laundry soaked. All of a sudden it was so obvious that I wondered why the millions of airers in use do not have a cover already.

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3. Is the Rotaire Dryline just to protect your washing line?

No, it is there to protect your laundry.

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4. What does the Rotaire Dryline protect the laundry from?

Primarily it protects it from the rain, but it also prevents bird mess and Ultra - Violet bleaching by the sun.

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5. Does the Dryline have to be put on each time it looks like rain?

No, it can stay on the line full time. It folds up and down with the airer if you like to take the washing line down. There is even a cover (free with new dryline orders while stocks last) to store it in.

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6. Does it work on straight lines?

No, because of structural and design problems, a straight dryline hasn't been invented yet.

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7. Does the Rotaire Dryline washcover save energy?

Yes. Try to think of it as a solar drier for washing. Compared to a tumble drier it will save about 800 Kilowatts of electricity each year and pay for itself in less than a year.

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8. Doesn't the Rotaire stop the laundry drying by shading it?

No. I was surprised to find that it speeds it up in summer because the air heats up under the cover and draws fresh air up through the middle of the washing – which is usually shaded.

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9. Does the Dryline dry overnight?

Yes, the washing is often dry by morning.

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10. Does the Dryline work in the winter?

Yes, it works in winter unless it the temperature below zero. Obviously it will take longer, but unless you are in a hurry there is no problem leaving it out.

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11. Is there anything that would damage a Dryline?

Yes. You have to be careful about wind. In 70 mph gales they have been known to take off. However, it is easy to fold them down if needed.

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12. What is the mesh side skirt for?

Most rain does not fall vertically. The mesh skirt protects the washing from sideways rain. Because of the mesh size it is very effective at catching the droplets and leading them to the weighted hem.

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13. Is there information on the web?

Yes, just visit www.rotaire.com or search for "Rotaire" on Google or Youtube (for video).

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14. Is there any downside to this invention?

No, nothing I can find except high winds.

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15. Will it fit my rotary washing line or airer?

Rotaire tries to provide a Dryline to suit every airer. This means there are over twenty variations! (just check out our product range here !)
If yours is not covered by one of these, we will make one on special order.

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16. I don't like the look of rotary airers. Why should I buy one?

Firstly, you can fold it down, cover it and remove the whole airer from view. Secondly it will save you money; even if you dry indoors it still takes energy. Thirdly, it can be part of your effort to go Green – and a painless one.

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17. How long has it taken to develop the Dryline?

It has taken over two years and eleven prototypes to get a viable product, but development is ongoing.

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18. Why is the Rotaire Dryline so expensive?

It is a tailored product requiring four hours to assemble, reinforced and double stitched where necessary to give a lasting product. In comparison to the energy bills required to power a tumble dryer though, the Rotaire Dryline is relatively inexpensive.

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19. Will the Dryline save the planet?

No, but using a Rotaire Dryline could save over 4 million tonnes of CO2 each year This is the amount emitted to power tumble driers in the UK, and the figure mounts to 45 million tonnes across the EU. These are conservative figures. To save the planet we need to reduce our energy consumption enormously: we have to be very smart indeed. In fact, it is not the planet that we can save, but ourselves – the human race.

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