As if doing the laundry isn't already a chore, the Great British weather (hi rain!) can make getting things dry even more of a challenge. That's why the Chimney Sheep Large Laundry Mac laundry protector could come in handy. It's a cover with a diameter of up to 2.5 metres designed for rotary washing lines with three or four arms to keep the rain off and let you leave the washing out longer. Rotary washing lines, if looked after correctly, can last a very long time! It’s not unheard of for some washing lines to last over 10 years.

Built to withstand all weather and entirely rust-proof, its four-arm hoist system can hang out up to six loads of washing at once, giving you more of a chance of getting on top of your laundry mountain. Of course, even with the space-saving design of a rotary dryer, this one will take up more room than others on this list – it has four arms, and up to a whopping 3.16-metre diameter when fully extended on the 60m model, so make sure you've got room. It comes with a metal ground spike and a protective cover too, so you won't need to spend any extra money.A washing line that is made of sturdy materials, covered and stored when not in use, and repaired when necessary, should be able to last a very long time. Whether you're simmering savoury stews, cooking up soul-warming soups, or preparing tender roasts, our range of slow cookers will make your autumn evenings unforgettable. Discover the perfect slow cooker to elevate your autumn culinary adventures today! Shop Slow Cookers >

The weather: Now, we know we cannot control the weather (otherwise, it wouldn’t rain half as much as it does). However, you still need to think carefully about it. For example, a freestanding airer would not be practical if you live in a particularly windy spot (unless you wanted your family’s clothing to end up in your neighbour’s garden.) You need to be able to open the line up without it causing any damage to itself or to anything around it. There’s no point putting your rotary line next to a wall, for example!

The line comes bundled in with a weatherproof cover, ground spike and pegs, meaning that it’s ready to go straight out of the box with no additional equipment needed. Brabantia with the cover. I have one of those covers, and it's great not having to get up when it looks like rain is on the way. If you look very somewhere really windy though, it does become about of a sail." (Tried and tested by didireallysaythat) Our verdict Brand: Brabantia | Dimensions open: H200cm x W295cm x D208 (turning diameter) | Dimensions closed: H200cm x W18cm x D11cm | Material: Steel and aluminium | Ground spike included: Yes | Cover included: Yes | Maximum wash load: 4+ washing loads What we like Once you’ve decided where you’d like to put the line, you’ll then need to measure the available space in this area (the turning circle).

If your clothesline has a cover, ensure you make use of the cover when the clothesline is not in use. For example, if you get a lot of sun in one spot in the garden, but you haven’t got enough room for a large 60 metre rotary line, it would be better to get a smaller line. You could make the most out of sunlight by doing this. Plus, this would speed up your drying time considerably. Brand: Brabantia | Dimensions open: H19.5 x W108.5 x D18.5cm (turning diameter) | Dimensions closed: Unspecified | Material: Metal | Mount Type: Wall mount | Cover included: Storage box | Maximum wash load: 2 wash loads What we likeYour weekly laundry cycle: How many loads you do over a week can influence the size of your rotary washing line. There is no point going for a three-arm that can manage one load at a time when realistically, you need a four-arm that can handle up to 4+. On the other hand, if you’ve got a large family, say parents and two or three children, you might do more washing, and would need a bigger washing line. We have one. We use it a lot in the summer and a bit in the winter as you can leave things out there for days if you want. It's good just to not have to think about rain and leaving it out overnight"(Tried and trusted by Mumsnet user didireallysaythat) Our verdict