Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

is basically the unit holding the clothesline is attached to something permanent (mine is attached to my fence) and a receiver that is attached to the opposite side (mine is attached to my storage shed). The side containing the clothesline has a metal bar with the line attached and you pull that out and attach it to the receiving end on the other side. It really did only take about 20 minutes to set up.

I'm not sure what is referred to by "all the parts being plastic" because it's metal. The controls on the side of the unit (one for tightening the line, the other for locking the line into place) are the only plastic parts on the piece.

I hadn't looked at the reviews before I posted this but I found more positive reviews than negative. One lady says hers has lasted for 7 years in the Arizona sun. I've only had mine for about a month so I guess time will tell. So far it beats my old method: hanging wet clothes onto hangers and hanging them on tree branches (not kidding). I still use my drying racks for the overflow.

Hope this helps.