Even if you have a tumble dryer at home, using it is expensive, bad for your clothes and bad for the environment. Basically, you want to air dry if you possibly can, but that isn’t always easy. Your outdoor space may be too precious for you to want to give up any of it to a washing line, or you may only be able to air dry clothes indoors.
That’s where retractable washing lines come in. Basically, they’re there when you need them and tucked away out of sight and out of mind when you don’t.
Choosing a retractable clothesline
When it comes to choosing a retractable clothing line, probably the single, most important requirement is robustness. You want to walk away feeling confident that when you come back, your washing will still be on your clothesline rather than on the ground. After this, the next consideration should probably be capacity.
Finally, you want to think about what kind of retractable clothesline is best for you. We’ve stretched the definition of retractable clothesline a little to include wall-mounted rotary washing lines and foldable (concertina-style) washing lines. Our logic is that they both do the same essential job and they can be really handy if you only have one available wall.
Siting and installing a retractable washing line
Most retractable washing lines can be used indoors and outdoors, even if they are only advertised for outdoor use. There are, however, some retractable washing lines which are only intended for indoor use and these will be advertised as such.
In either case, you will need a load-bearing wall to hold the main part of the retractable washing line. If you are using a standard retractable washing line, you will also need another wall to which to attach the extending end and if the retractable washing line is intended to hold a lot of weight, it’s usually best if this is also a load-bearing wall. Ideally, you want to avoid having your retractable washing line cross a path.
Once you have found a suitable wall (or two), you then need to choose the right height for your retractable washing line. Basically, the sweet spot is low enough so that you can reach it easily but high enough to keep long items (such as bedding) off the ground.
After this, you will need to secure your retractable washing line to the main wall. You might want to use a spirit level (app) for this, although it’s unlikely to be a disaster if you install your retractable washing line at a bit of an angle. You will definitely want to drill pilot holes before drilling the main ones.
What comes next will depend on the exact type of retractable washing line you are using, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions. There is, however, one key point which is common to all retractable washing lines (and anything else mounted to a wall), which is that you will need to double-check that the fixings you have are suitable for the surface. For example, if you want to put a screw or hook into brick or concrete, then you will almost certainly need to use a Rawl plug first.
If you’re installing a retractable washing line indoors, then the obvious place for it is over a bath, however, this is not the only place for it, which is just as well given the number of modern flats which only have showers! Bathrooms are still good drying places since they tend to have hard floors, but really you can install a retractable washing line anywhere in your home, if the flooring underneath is carpeted, just put some clothes down before you hang up your washing.
Installing your retractable washing line near a radiator will allow you to take advantage of the heat and hence speed up the drying time, but it will also increase the humidity, so you will want to have a window in the vicinity as well. In fact if you have to choose between siting your retractable washing line near a radiator or near a window, we’d definitely recommend the window.
Making the most of your retractable clothesline
Aim to wash “little and often” so you can give your clothes plenty of space making it easier for the air to get between them. Even if you are renting, you might want to consider swapping out your standard light fitting for one with an integrated ceiling fan. These are widely available, very affordable and easy to fit.
A good washing machine should get a lot of water out of clothes via the end-of-wash spin, but if you’re stuck with one that doesn’t and you can’t persuade your landlord to change it (or you don’t have the money to update it), then you need to give it a helping hand. Many washing machines have a spin-only option and if you’re doing a full load, you might want to split it in half and run the spin twice. As a last resort, you could try wringing out your clothes by hand.
Hang your laundry in a well-aired room. We know we’ve mentioned this before, but it’s impossible to overstate how important it is. Not only will it help your clothes to dry more quickly, it will also prevent mould from getting on your clothes or on your walls. If you must try clothes in a room without decent ventilation, for example in winter, invest in a dehumidifier.
Retractable Clothes Line Reviews
Here is our pick of the best retractable clotheslines on the UK market.
Quick Jump To List
Minky Retractable Reel Washing Line
The Minky retractable washing line provides a total of 30m of drying space over two washing lines (of 15m in length). The lines are coated with PVS and can support a maximum weight of 25Kg or approximately three loads of laundry. In addition to retracting neatly when out of use, the Minky can unclip fully from the bracket if you want to bring it indoors between uses. There is a quick-release mechanism to make this very easy.
Minky Retractable Duo Reel Washing Line, Grey
- Easy to use retractable outdoor washing line
- Stows neatly away when not in use
- Double line - each with 15 m length
- Fully retractable with UV stable protective casing
- Clips off bracket for winter storage, includes all wall fixings needed
- Easy to use retractable outdoor washing line
- Stows neatly away when not in use
- Double line - each with 15 m length
- Fully retractable with UV stable protective casing
- Clips off bracket for winter storage, includes all wall fixings needed
- Recommended maximum weight allowance for this product is 25 kg
Dryzem Washing Line
The Dryzem offers 30m of drying space over two 15m lines, which can be extended and retracted independently. Although it attaches firmly to the wall via screws and hooks, the housing unit retains the flexibility to move through 180°, meaning it can be set flush against the wall when out of use. The washing line is retracted via an automated mechanism, which has a flush-fitting clasp to keep out the dirt.
DRYZEM Washing Line, Clothes Line, Dual Retractable Washing Line-30m(98ft) total can be...
- EASY INSTALLATION: DRYZEM’S retractable washing line can be assembled with ease and in no time by our simple design structure. Requiring only a screwdriver to fit, our clothes line is easy to put together. With strong, stable UV adjustable housing, the washing line unit can move freely with 180 degree movement, and fasten neatly on any desired wall.
- EASY INSTALLATION: DRYZEM’S retractable washing line can be assembled with ease and in no time by our simple design structure. Requiring only a screwdriver to fit, our clothes line is easy to put together. With strong, stable UV adjustable housing, the washing line unit can move freely with 180 degree movement, and fasten neatly on any desired wall.
- STRONG & STURDY: With sturdy & strong PVC retracting wire Dryzem's washing line is a long-lasting answer to flimsy, faulty clothes lines. It is fit with a locking cleat mechanism and secure fixing hooks ensuring that your clothes remain upright and fixed in the air. This means your washing line will stay firm despite weather conditions. Our strong PVC wiring acts as a protective casing bringing you the most durable of washing line solutions.
- RETRACTABLE NATURE: Our fully retractable washing line aligns with your décor needs by its retractable nature and ability to be assembled indoor or outdoor. If not in use, the retractable clothes line has an automatic pull-back feature and can be kept out of sight. Our washing line is perfect for preserving the homeliness of your décor while also taking advantage of twin 15m retractable lines optimal for drying large amounts of clothes.
- TWIN LINES: The total length of the PVC wire across both lines is 30M. The twin retractable lines (15m each) have allowed for additional space for your drying needs. The dual clothesline is perfect for protecting the cleanliness of your washing because of its automatic retraction system. The automatic retraction system rewinds both lines with ease, helping the wires to remain clean and covered when not in use.
- COMES WITH: The Dryzem washing line is accompanied with fitting instructions and fixing kit. The fixing kit comes with all the installation accessories, including hooks, required to assemble our dual retractable washing line.
Metaltex 30 m Retractable Clothes Line
The Metaltex offers up to 30m of clothes line. Simply extend it to the length required and secure to another surface. When your washing is dry, retract the line into the housing bay, which attaches to a wall with two screws.
Metaltex 30 m Retractable Clothes Line, 30m
- RETRACTABLE WASHING LINE - The Metaltex Skomer Laundry Dryer is a simple way to save energy and make your clothes last! This retractable line is easily fitted in your garden, on balconies or inside and provides 30m of drying space
- RETRACTABLE WASHING LINE - The Metaltex Skomer Laundry Dryer is a simple way to save energy and make your clothes last! This retractable line is easily fitted in your garden, on balconies or inside and provides 30m of drying space
- LDPE PLASTIC COATING: This washing line is coated in a durable plastic coating making the line waterproof and UV-protected, ensuring no nasty marks on your clothing whilst drying
- EASY TO INSTALL - The laundry dryer’s compact design is easy to install and use. Simply fix one end of the washing line using the 2 screws included, and pull the retractable clothesline to the required length. The lines come with an automatic locking and tightening device to keep them tight and secure at the required distance
- SPACE-SAVING & NEAT - This outdoor washing clothesline retracts into neat housing when not in use keeping your garden space tidy. The sturdy mounting box comes has a swing bracket so you can point your washing line in any direction and an automatic mechanism for quick rewind when not in use
- METALTEX: With over 75 years of experience manufacturing Home Storage Solutions, Laundry Care and Kitchen Tools & Gadgets. We pride ourselves on delivering excellence, our mission is to make life easy by designing and manufacturing everyday intelligent housewares. We are committed to providing new and innovative products
Artmoon Long Retractable Outdoor Washing Clothes Line
The Artmoon retractable washing line only offers 12m of drying space, but this is quite enough for a full load of laundry and if you’re a small household living in a small space, it will quite possibly be all that you need. One of the bonuses of this retractable washing line’s smaller size is that it makes it feasible to attach the extendable end of it to wooden structures, such as sheds, which may be handy. The main body of the unit should, however, be fixed to a load-bearing wall.
As this retractable washing line is so compact overall, it only projects slightly from the surface to which it is attached and it has the flexibility to rotate through 180° so it can rest flush to the wall when out of use.
art moon 699799 Long Retractable Washing Line Outdoor Clothes Line Heavy Duty...
- Easy to use: convenient retractable outdoor clothes washing line, stows neatly away when not in use
- Perfect outdoor drying solution: 12m long
- Unit moves freely from side to side: it can be stored against wall and could be fastened at convenient angle, rotating 180°, UV stable retractable housing
- Easy to use: convenient retractable outdoor clothes washing line, stows neatly away when not in use
- Perfect outdoor drying solution: 12m long
- Unit moves freely from side to side: it can be stored against wall and could be fastened at convenient angle, rotating 180°, UV stable retractable housing
- Strong and durable: fixation on chosen length with automatic retractable mechanism
- Dowels, screws and hook to fix on the opposite side of the yard included. Fitting instruction on the back of the box
Brabantia Retractable Indoor Washing Line
The Brabantia retractable washing line offers a total of 22m of drying space, spread out over a total of five lines. In other words, it is much broader and shorter than any other the other retractable washing lines in our list. This is because its natural home is over a bath. Each of the lines can hold up to 2.5Kg in weight and the auto-locking system keeps them taught while your laundry is drying. Then when you’re finished, the simple retraction mechanism makes everything (almost) disappear, so you can enjoy your soak without any risk of becoming tangled in your washing line.
Brabantia Retractable Indoor Washing Line - White
- Space-saving compact pull-out clothes line
- Smooth pull-out system and automatic blocking ensures the lines are always taut. Easy to fix between two walls
- Manufactured from corrosion resistant materials, suitable for bathroom
- Space-saving compact pull-out clothes line
- Smooth pull-out system and automatic blocking ensures the lines are always taut. Easy to fix between two walls
- Manufactured from corrosion resistant materials, suitable for bathroom
- Dimension: 7.6 x 48.3 x 440 cm. They have up to 22 metres of drying capacity.
- 5 years Brabantia guarantee
Brabantia WallFix Retractable Washing Line
This collapsible washing line offers a total of 24m of space. It is aluminum construction keeps it nicely light and eliminates the problem of rust. The folding mechanism is very simple to use and only needs one hand.
Brabantia WallFix Retractable Washing Line with Fabric Cover, 24 m - Silver
- Now you see your rotary dryer, now you don’t! The Brabantia WallFix Dryer is neatly tucked away when not in use, But fold it out singlehandedly and it can take on two machine loads of laundry
- The Wallfix dryer has lots of space, with the 24 metres of clothes line there is room for two full machine loads, Big pieces too, the outer lines are 120 cm long, Hang it to your ideal working height
- Now you see your rotary dryer, now you don’t! The Brabantia WallFix Dryer is neatly tucked away when not in use, But fold it out singlehandedly and it can take on two machine loads of laundry
- The Wallfix dryer has lots of space, with the 24 metres of clothes line there is room for two full machine loads, Big pieces too, the outer lines are 120 cm long, Hang it to your ideal working height
- This space saver is easy to install with clear step-by-step instructions, solid wall fixings and drilling template enclosed, You can keep it clean with the included weather-resistant protection cover
Denny International Rotary Airer Multi Hanger Free Standing/Wall mounted
This foldable, rotary washing line is available in four-arm and five-arm versions. The four-arm version offers 16m of washing line and the five-arm version offers 26m of washing line. Both are made of aluminium, which means they are lightweight and weatherproof. As an added bonus, the folding mechanism can easily be operated with just one hand.
4 & 5 Arm Rotary Airer Multi Hanger Free Standing/Wall mounted (5...
- Max Weight (Clothes) Holding Capacity: 7Kg
- Max Weight (Clothes) Holding Capacity: 7Kg
Best retractable washing line
Each of these retractable washing lines has different characteristics, so the best retractable washing line for you is the one which best matches your needs and wants. For example, the Artmoon may be far too small for some people but the perfect size for others and, likewise, the Minky may be a solid workhorse for larger households, but far too big for others. We like to think we’ve created a list of the best retractable washing lines on the UK market and that we’ve given you enough information to decide which is the best one for you.
Best heavy duty retractable washing line
If you’re looking specifically for a heavy-duty retractable washing line, we’d suggest the Denny or the Dryzem as their structure promotes robustness.
Katie is the Editor here at Poshh Living and is a well-respected voice in the world of design and home improvement. Katie has a first-class Hons degree in Journalism and is proud to say that she has written many leading entries in the biggest media outlets including Ideal Home, and Good House Keeping. Lover of the great outdoors and mother of two, Katie is ‘down to earth’, knowledgable and a great asset to the team
