No one wants to have a washing line up all the time, and who wants to be bothered hand winding it back in. The year is 2020 and it’s about time you treated yourself to a fancy new washing line. Ok, maybe we sound a bit too excited there but you should definitely get one that’s going to make hanging out the washing a lot easier as its a chore no one wants to do.
Here are some of our top clothes line picks of the best retractable washing lines that we found on the internet. Some of these can be as cheap as £10, while some can cost over £100 so it just depends what your budget it is.
If you are wondering that our top pick one is, then its the Minky retractable washing line. It is an absolute beast of a retractable washing line that has over 30m of line to dry your clothes on. Read our full explanation of it below.
Table of Contents
Top Retractable Washing Lines
1. Minky Twin Retractable Washing Line
As we mentioned above in the introduction, this is definitely our favourite washing line. This is based on the price as its cheap, and also the fact you get 30m of washing line but it also available in a 15m model as well.
With it being a twin line system you can have both going to different corners of the garden which keeps them away from each other and ensures you can get all your washing out to dry in 1 go.
Each of the washing lines is made from durable metal with a PVC coating which means it will be kind to your clothes and leave no marks on them. The PVC has also been UV treated which will stop it becoming weak over the years of exposure to the sun.
It can be installed easily and even people with no real DIY skills will be able to attach this to the wall with a drill and some screws in a few minutes. It could even be attached to a fence if it is strong enough. It comes with a quick-release system which is perfect for when it gets too cold for drying your clothes outside. This means the line can be popped into the garage or shed to help keep it out of the cold winter elements.
When doing our research we found that most customers absolutely loved it and they were not even aware you could get a double retractable washing line until they saw this one.
2. Hills Retractable Washing Line
We think this one is more suited to if you have a smaller yard but want to utilise the drying space you have. It may even suit a large balcony as well. What it does so well is it uses 4 washing lines in a short length as it extends to a maximum of 6.5m with a minimum of 4m so make sure you measure up first.
It needs both parts to attach to the wall. One part with the washing lines that come out and 2nd part will be where the end of it clips into. That is the only downside of this really as it will require you to fit 2 parts onto 2 different walls which might not look great and could be a bit tricky to put up if you are rubbish at DIY.
When doing our research we found that users had mainly positive things to say and said it was a well-made piece of kit.
3. Brabantia Retractable Indoor Washing Line
We thought it would only be fair to include some indoor washing lines as not everyone has access to an outdoor space to dry their clothes and this is true if you live in a flat. Ideally, you would use a tumble dryer but not all clothes can be tumble dried.
The indoor ones are usually a bit more lightweight than outdoor ones, and that is the case with this one. It is recommended that you install it in the bathroom and images show it over the bath as that’s probably about the right size and length that you want to dry your clothes.
Overall it has a drying length of 22 metres as it has 5 washing lines that come out of it.
When doing our research we found that people liked the item but said be careful not to overload it as some peoples internal walls in the house are just cavity walls and not made to support a lot of weight. If you have big heavy towels then be very careful and it might be best to dry these over the edge of the bath.
Due to its lightweight design and automatic retraction feature, this makes it stands out as the best retractable washing line or at least it’s right up there.
4. Vileda Cordomatic Retractable Washing Line
This is a normal basic washing line that just has 1 line on it. It is very similar to what I have in my own garden at home and I’ve had mine for about 3 years now.
This one is made from high-quality plastic that looks like it will withstand the British weather. It is easy to put up on the wall or fence and comes with some screws to allow you to do that.
It has a quick-release system which means it can be taken off the wall for the winter when you are not using it and that will help make it last longer as it won’t be out in the cold which over the years might weaken the line ever so slightly.
The maximum weight it can hold is 15kg.
When doing our research we found that users were happy with this item. One user said that the last one she had for 12 years before needing to replace it but a few others said there’s only lasted a year, so there really a mixed set of reviews out there
5. Casa Bella Retractable Washing Line
Casa Bella is not a brand I had heard of before putting this article together, but when I saw this retractable washing line I knew I had to include it.
It is available in both a single or double washing line but for the extra money it’s probably worth going for the double as you can always just use 1 line on that anyway. The single has a total of 15m drying space while the double is 30m, giving adequate metres of drying for most.
Like many of the others on the list, it comes with brackets to mount to your wall and can be done easily if you have some basic DIY knowledge and a drill.
When doing our research we found most reviews to be very positive and people found it easy to install. A few users said it would struggle when under full capacity, but I think that’s the case for most on this list so just be careful what you put on and spread the washing out evenly.
6. Brabantia WallFix Wall Mounted Retractable Washing Line
This is the 2nd washing line we have featured on our list from Brabantia and this one is a belter! it is different to all the others on the list which were retractable lines. This one is more like a rotary washing line except it won’t need a hole in your grass. Thanks to its brabantia wallfix feature it can be placed flat on the wall when not in use which is perfect for those who have a small patio or balcony with a limited area to dry their clothes.
With it being Brabantia retractable you know it’s going to be a decent quality piece of kit and that’s why they offer it with a 10-year guarantee which is really good.
The total dry length is 24m which is pretty good for the shape of it. We don’t think its quite as good as a traditional line as there won’t be as much airflow if it’s full but we would put it up there as being one of the best on this list. The total weight it can support is 20kg which is large enough for a normal wash.
When doing our research we found that users really loved how easy it was to fit and just how easy it was to pull out from the wall bracket. They were amazed at how well it functioned.
7. Florvine Clothes Drying Line
Known for its durability, this clothes retractable line will enable users to wash loads and dry them conveniently. Easy to use its applicable for indoor and outdoor use and makes an excellent addition to utility rooms and small gardens.
If you need a retractable washing line for consistent outdoor drying then this is a sure bet, made from stainless steel it’s built to prevent rust and outdoor conditions.
Holding up to 44lbs (20kgs) of your washing clothes, this heavy duty line can extend up to 13.8ft(4.2m) while being adjustable. By unlocking its switch, you can increase or decrease its length to your specific needs, maintaining minimum drying space. When you are done, simply lock the switch to keep your retractable washing line in place.
Coming with glue and mounting screws, you can also choose the ideal installation method. This washing line has an anti-drop U-shaped card slot, punch-free method design making it easy to install to numerous smooth surfaces. Users can also enjoy its multifunctional design as it can hold clothes, bed sheets, quilts and many more items.
The Florvin laundry line is one of the best retractable washing lines because of its heavy duty material and affordable price.
8. LIVIVO Dual Washing Line Airer Reel
Quick and easy to install, this dual retractable washing line is applicable for outdoor drying as well as indoors. Developed from sturdy UV-stabilised protective ABS casing its resistance to water, mould and rust makes this among the best retractable lines as far as durability is concerned.
Although it’s slightly higher in price its retractable reel washing line provides 2x15m (30 metres of drying line in total) which is considerable in length, allowing users to get all their weekly washing done in one session. Each retractable line can be adjusted when it’s not necessary, saving drying space. Having a dual retractable function makes this a standout among other retractable clotheslines.
What stands out for us is its convenience, as each laundry line is as quick to open as they are to retract. Containing a spring-loaded internal retraction mechanism users don’t have to face the unnecessary hassle of a tangled washing line.
9. Minky Retractable Reel Washing Line
Although this Minky retractable reel line may resemble a school bell, it’s actually one of the cheapest and best options on the market currently. If you want a no-nonsense clothes line that’s easy to use and quickly disassembled then look no further.
Offering washing lines that reach 15 metres and 30 metres of drying space its small design allows users to easily store when its not needed, making it ideal for winter storage. Like many others on this list, it comes with the necessary wall fixings which can be installed for the indoors and outdoors, excluding the usual need for wall anchors.
Without putting too much emphasis on the price, you’re really getting a bargain here since this Minky retractable washing line excels in every category. Quick to install, assemble and store it ticks all the boxes if convenience is your priority. It’s also fairly sturdy, meaning it can hold heavier loads if needed and overall last for a long time.
10. JVL Outdoor Wall Mountable Retractable Reel Washing Clothes Line
Taking one step further when it comes to price nothing tops affordability like this laundry line, offered at under £10 there’s no excuse anymore not to dry your washing if you’re short on time. Incredibly easy to use all you’ll need is a smooth surface to attach it too, i.e. a fence post or a wall as it includes the necessary wall fixings.
Unlike our previous recommendation, due to its plastic material, it isn’t sturdy and lacks the strength to maintain heavy loads in unfavourable weather conditions. On a windy day, for example, the washing line has the tendency to sway, resulting in clothes falling on the ground.
However, for the price, this retractable clothesline overall is a good choice. Quick to set up its sized at approximately 16 x 6 x H17 cm which should accommodate weekly washing loads.
Buyers Guide
Single Line Vs Double Line vs Wall Mounted
This all depends on your situation and what space you have.
A single retractable clothesline is the most basic, and as there are only my wife and me at home, it suits us perfectly as we don’t have loads of washing.
If you have kids, then a double clothes line could definitely be the way to go as you may have more than one lot of washing to do in a day and get dry. This is especially true if the kids are playing sports or you have lots of school uniform to get clean over the weekend for the week ahead.
We really liked number 6 on the list which is a wall-mounted rotary-style dryer. If we had limited space, then this would be our option.
Drying Length
The length of your retractable clothes line will be dictated by the number of clothes you need drying and the size of your area you wish to install it.
Washing lines that are longer can hang more clothes, being ideal for large families where clothes need to be washed often, i.e. a school uniform which or a work shirt. The best retractable washing line will usually reach 30m of drying space.
For many people drying their clothes outside on a clothes line isn’t an option as turbulent weather conditions prevent them from dryng in the first place. If you opt not to go for a retractable clothesline that’s suitable indoors the length of your line must be considered to your room’s specifications, The last thing you will need after receiving a washing line is to find out you dont have enough drying space in your home.
Shorter drying lengths for a retractable wash line are ideal for people who live in a smaller apartment with minimal drying space.
Indoor and Outdoor Use
Most on this list were for outdoor use, but they were a few that were suitable for a small balcony which can almost be considered indoor use as they are not stretching far over a massive garden.
The outdoor retractable clothes lines have tougher PVC housing and they will also be made from sturdier material to make sure they do not rust the metal inside and help protect them from the sunlight.
Conclusion
We hope the above choices have been helpful to you and have made you realise how many retractable options there are out there which are best for you. Retractable washing lines are really much better and should be in use compared to the old-style washing line that you have to wind up by hand each time, and the washing lines all sealed away from the elements when not in use. Also, think about how much money you will save on your electricity bill by not using the tumble drier.
For those not minding to splurge a little bit the best retractable washing line should feature an automatic retraction feature which does the work for you. Fancy technological features aside the retractable clothes line should also be strong enough to withstand bad weather and avoid rust, allowing it to be useable for years to come.
