10 Best Retractable Washing Lines in 2021 (Reviews + Buyer Guide)
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There’s something incredibly satisfying about finding a piece of kit which is affordable, timeless and can add endless value to your home. We think that one of these things is a retractable washing line.
In our opinion, everybody should own a retractable washing line. Regardless of whether your garden (or room) is on the larger side or the smaller side, owning a retractable washing line will save you space. Retractable washing lines also are more protected from wind and rust and is a handy piece of kit to own.
Why Use a Retractable Washing Line?
There are a number of options available, and if you have a large household you can also buy a double sized washing line which is incredibly handy for larger clothing loads and just as durable.
The great thing about retractable washing lines is you can use them inside in your or outside, so even if you don’t own a garden – you can definitely still benefit from one.
They are super easy to set up and can be used in your DIY conservatory, bathroom, spare room, bedroom or front room. They’re sturdy and will provide enough support that you can hang a full load of washing along the line in minutes.
What are the best retractable washing lines?
Long gone are the days of standard washing lines. No more digging holes in your garden for the metal pole, no more cobwebs and grime; and of course, no need to buy large, clunky clothes dryers that scratch the walls and take up a ton of unnecessary space. In this buyer guide, we review 10 of the best washing lines.
In order to give them a fair and thorough review we take into account their composition, durability and overall suitability.
We’ve also included some considerations at the bottom, as well as a list of frequently asked questions in case you’re still wanting more.
So, if you’re in the market for a retractable washing line – keep reading.
Minky Retractable Reel Washing Line (30m)
Starting with the Minky Retractable Reel Washing Line. this clothesline comes with two lines that stow into its own UV protected casing reel.
The brand can be trusted to deliver simple but effective solutions for the household. It comes with an easy to fix bracket that and the reel can be unclipped from the bracket for storage. With a recommended maximum weight of 25 kg, the line is strong, easy to clean and maintain because they are given protective PVC coatings.
It has a reel that looks good on the eye, making sure that you will not have an abomination hanging in your yard.
The biggest flaw in the product is that the plastic hooks at the bottom break easily. However, You can replace them with cleat hooks and voila, problem solved.
The product is suitable for use in outdoor gardens, verandas, and of course conservatories.
Key Features:
24 ft. of drying space
PVC coated lines that are easy to clean
Clip-on bracket
Double line
Specification:
Brand
Minky
Colour
White
Weight
1.22 kg
Length
30m (2 lines x 15m)
Pros
Sturdy lines
Efficient use of space
Easy to use
Cons
Plastic lugs can be a little fragile
Hisome Retractable Washing Line
The Hisome Retractable Washing Line can be attached to your house wall without disturbing the aesthetics or sacrificing its quality. It comes with durable steel rings instead of the regular PVC lines.
If you live in a tiny apartment, don’t have much outdoor space or don’t do too much washing, this product is fitting for you. The clothesline is made of ABS, aluminium alloy and 304 stainless steel string, that ensures its strength and durability as well as being waterproof and rustproof.
One interesting thing is the ease of usage, you just have to pull the line to the needed distance, attach the brackets on both sides with glue or screw and lock in the line to keep it from dropping to the floor. It has a durable mounting box and swing bracket, quite a number of people have used it as a cloth rack because of the tautness.
We also think it is can be suited for indoor usage and it can be used to hang lightweight clothes and underwear.
Key Features:
24 ft. of drying space
Steel lines that are easy to clean
Swing bracket
Double line
Lock in lines
Specification:
Brand
Hisome
Colour
White
Weight
522 g
Length
30 m (2 lines x 15 m)
Capacity
20 kg
Pros
Sturdy lines
Swing brackets
Taut lines
Cons
Length may not be long enough for some
HomRush Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Retractable Washing Line
Before you go check other products out first, you have to realise that the HomRush Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Retractable Washing Line comes with a year’s warranty – great if you’re planning to leave it out amongst all seasons. Now that we have your attention, this nice looking line saves an immense amount of space and can be unclamped from the wall without having the wall looking too bare.
The dual lines have a total length of 26 meters, are made of PVC and plastic and are designed to be very durable. A maximum load of 20 kg means you can hang a significant weight of clothes at one time, the clips are strong and don’t jam.
It is not difficult to install and can be used indoors and outdoors. Speaking of warranty, the product has a 30-day money-back guarantee with a one-year free replacement warranty if you do not like the product. This is very useful because the recoil may end up failing at times and you might need to have it fixed.
Key Features:
26 m of drying space
Durable PVC lines
Swing bracket
Double line
Lock in lines
Specification:
Brand
HomRush
Colour
White and grey
Weight
962 g
Length
26 m (2 x 13 m)
Capacity
20 kg
Pros
Sturdy lines
Swing brackets
Taut lines
Cons
The recoil may jam occassionally
Vileda Cordomatic Automatic Retractable Clothes Line
The Vileda Cordomatic Automatic Retractable Clothes Line is a simple and small product that does nothing ‘spectacular’, though its selling point is in the sheer strength that it possesses. The 15 meter washing line is made of PVC and is locked in an ABS container attached to a steel hook frame. Now I’m sure you won’t mind the fact that it is a single line product 😏. This line is great for use in places that have strong winds and is also good for people who regularly hang out a heavy load. It is very durable.
It is easy to set up for use and has a swivel mount, ideal for indoor and outdoor garden use. The greatest undoing of the product is the fact that although it is very durable, it has just one line.
Key Features:
15 m of drying space
Durable PVC lines
Swing bracket
Double line
Lock in lines
Specification:
Brand
Vileda
Colour
Black
Weight
621 g
Length
15 m
Capacity
20 kg
Pros
Sturdy lines
Very durable
Good for homes with limited space
Cons
Just a single line may not be to all tastes
Metaltex 30 m Retractable Clothes Line
The Metaltex 30m Retractable Clothes Line is 30 meters of pure clothesline joy. The brand can be trusted to deliver simple but effective solutions for the all households. From a functional perspective, it is easy to use. You simply attach the reel to the wall and pull the retractable washing line, using the 2 screws, to the point of use. With a recommended maximum weight of 25 kg, the lines are one of the strongest not only in this review but for a retractable washing line we could find. Having multiple wet towels at once wouldn’t trouble the Metaltex, and you can be sure that they wouldn’t fall off at ease. This is due to the quality of the materials that it is made out of the lines, coated with PVC to ensure durability and no damage to your wears.
The only sticking point with this product is that it has some flimsy parts that can break easily. The product is suitable for use indoors and outdoors with little wind, ideal if you’re based near the coast.
Key Features:
30 metres of drying space
PVC coated lines easy to clean
Clip-on bracket
Double line
Specification:
Brand
Metaltex
Colour
White
Weight
1.06 kg
Length
30 m (2 x 15 m)
Pros
Sturdy PVC coated lines
Ideal for both indoor and outdoor use
Cons
Lines can feel a little thin
LIVIVO Dual Washing Line
The first thing that sets LIVIVO Dual Washing Line apart is that it is beautiful. In a mellow black casing that protects the line from dirt and debris, it just looks good. Not to confuse its bark for no bite, this is an easy-to-use product that comes in a nice eye-pleasing and strong pack. The casing is a UV-stabilised protective ABS casing, resistant to the the tough environment around it, making it similarly suitable to outdoor or indoor usage. The lines come in a swivelling and detachable mount.
The case is actually heavy but the cord is strong and does not slack easily from both the weight of the product and the actual wear from use.
Key Features:
30 metres of drying space
Durable PVC lines
Swing bracket
Double line
Lock in line
Automatic recoil
Specification:
Brand
LIVIVO
Weight
1.8 kg
Colour
Black
Capacity
20 kg
Length
30 m (2 x 15 m)
Pros
Sturdy lines
Great, aesthetic design
Swing brackets
Taut lines
Cons
Recoil may begin jamming after multiple uses over time
Addis Outdoor Dual Retractable Clothes Washing Line
The Addis Outdoor Dual Retractable Clothes Washing Line is a simple and durable washing line with a wind up system and grey colouring which will look chic and blend in with your garden or indoor space. It has a total of 30 meters of drying space and can load a heavy allowance of clothes. Overall it’s a robust and easy to use product that is suitable for inside or outside of the home.
Key Features:
Reel design
Simple retractable mechanism suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Specification:
Brand
Addis
Colour
Grey
Capacity
25kg
Length
15m
Pros
Simple to retract
Easy to assemble
Cons
May get weaker and tangled over time if weight is exceeded
Homespired Steel Core Plastic Cover Washing Clothes Line
The LongLife Steel Core Plastic Cover Washing Clothes Line is a retractable washing line with a plastic and stainless steel cover. It’s easy to install and can be used inside as well as outdoors. It’s discreet and has multiple length options to suit whatever sizing you’re looking for.
Key Features:
Retractable line
Robust materials for indoor or outdoor installation
Specification:
Brand
Homespired
Colour
White
Size
12m
Pros
Easy to install
Simple maintenance and doesn't rust
Cons
Check that sizing is appropriate before ordering
Addis 15 m Laundry Sense Retractable Washing Lines
The Addis 15 m Laundry Sense Retractable Washing Line is a modern and robust retractable washing line in a beautiful slate grey colour. It is ideal for drying outdoors as well as indoor spaces and takes minutes to put together. Due to its small and modern appearance it won’t look clunky or out of space in comparison to the interior or exterior aesthetic of your home. Overall it’s a great piece of kit that does what it says on the tin.
Key Features:
Modern and sleek outer design
Easy to maintain and clean
15 m length
Specification:
Brand
Addis
Colour
Slate grey
Item weight
721 g
Line length
15 m
Pros
Easy to put together and maintain regardless if it's indoors or outdoors
Cons
15m may be too small for some
Beldray Retractable Dual Washing Clothes Line
The Beldray Retractable Dual Washing Clothes Line is a white and grey design which is 26m long. Ideal for gardens as well as smaller indoor spaces/washing rooms, this small and mighty robust washing line is perfect if you’re looking to save space but also have a piece of kit that is reliable. It’s incredibly durable and takes seconds to put together, as well as being a low maintenance product.
Key Features:
Easy to maintain design
Durable and robust for indoor or outdoor spaces
Retractable feature
Specification:
Brand
Beldray
Colour
White/Grey
Drying space
26 m
Pros
Simple to assemble design
Endures windy/temperamental outdoor weather
Cons
Colour may not be suitable for indoors
SUMMARY on retractable washing lines
Choosing a retractable washing line sounds like it’d be an easy task – however there are a lot of things to consider.
In summary, they’re an amazing space-saving item which can also be stored away with ease and take seconds to keep clean and maintain. They free up more space for other garden furniture such as a garden storage bench, hammock stands and outdoor bar tables and stools. If you don’t have a garden, you can still benefit from owning a retractable washing line – as these mighty pieces of home-technology can be used indoors, taking up minimal space and still providing you with endless value.
We’ve outlined a few things to consider before buying your washing line, which should hopefully help you make your decision overall!
Outside or inside?
The great thing about retractable washing lines is that they can be put inside the home as well as on an outside wall leading out to the garden. If you choose to have your washing line inside, you may want to choose one that is more compact and will match with the aesthetics of the room. Also, if you choose to have one inside you’ll be less bothered about its durability in extreme weather or it being UV resistant, as it won’t be exposed to as many conditions.
Quantity
There are a few double washing lines available on the market, which can work particularly well if you know that you live in a larger household or your clothes are heavy when wet. Have a think about what an average wash looks like and whether you’d benefit from having a double washing line or not.
Material
There are two main materials used for retractable washing lines, steel and PVC/plastic. Although steel isn’t stainless, it may require a bit more maintenance than PVC. Also, be mindful that PVC and plastic is more likely to stretch and become weaker in comparison to steel – it’s all down to personal preference and what materials work best for you.
FAQ
How do I attach a retractable washing line to the wall?
It’s a really simple process that will either require you to use screws, or to stick it to the wall which you’ll require strong adhesive for. Most brands will advise you on the installation process.
How do I use a minky retractable washing line?
How do retractable washing lines work?
They work on a similar system to a retractable tape measure – you pull it out, click it into place, use it and then it’ll retract with another quick “click” and be packed away in seconds.
How do I fix a retractable washing line?
Usually you should be able to pop open the box where the line retracts, and check for tangles or small breakages which can be repaired with glue, however extreme breakages would require for you to buy a new retractable washing line.
How do I know if I need a retractable washing line?
If you struggle with making space in your garden to hang your washing, then you should look at purchasing a retractable washing line. Similarly, if you don’t have access to an outdoor space to dry your washing you should also look at purchasing one as it’ll save you time, space and money.
What can I attach my retractable washing line to?
Any sturdy wall, or a fence that is smooth. Do not under any circumstances attach your washing line to greenhouse heaters, doors, rattan side tables or rattan garden benches
Further Reading
If you’re still not satisfied, we’ve included some extra reading! Read more about retractable washing lines and how to tighten a clothesline here.