Keeping on top of household chores is a daily battle for most of us. And the endless pile of laundry is one of the most annoying problems in busy family homes. So, it’s no wonder that washing lines are a popular product to buy. Even those of us with tumble dryers still find outdoor and indoor lines useful for staying on top of the washing and keeping electricity bills down.
Why use a retractable washing line?
Not all of us are lucky enough to have ample space outdoors – or indoors for that matter – to dry our clothes. So, a retractable washing line is a compact solution. It means you can have the lines out what you need them and tucked away at other times. And even if you do have lots of garden space, permanent washing lines can get in the way. Plus, a retractable device helps keep your washing lines clean.
Although they’re undoubtedly useful, choosing a retractable washing line can be difficult. There are so many brands and models on the market, and some are far more expensive than others. So, how do you know what the best retractable washing line is for you? Well, here’s our pick of the top five to help you decide.
1. Vileda Cordomatic – Best outdoor washing line
This handy device is ready for mounting on your wall. It gives you a large drying line of 15m and you can lock it at your preferred length for ease of use. It’s pretty durable as it’s made from weather-resistant materials including a strong plastic casing and galvanized fittings. The line itself can hold up to 15kg of weight, so you can hang out those hefty bath towels, big woolly jumpers and more. And most importantly, this washing line is nice and affordable.
2. Brabantia Pull Out Clothes Line – Best indoor washing line
When you don’t have any outdoor space, or need additional drying space indoors, then a retractable line you can use inside is essential. It takes up far less space than conventional drying racks. And this washing line from Brabantia is well-designed for use indoors. It’s made from corrosion-resistant materials for use in your utility or bathroom. And it has five short drying lines instead of one long line, so it doesn’t need lots of space. Plus, it’s easy to hang up and automatically locks to keep lines taut. The downside to this retractable washing line is it’s more expensive than some of the other brands on the market.
3. Minky Retractable Reel – Best multiple line
Brabantia isn’t the only brand to make retractable dryers with multiple lines. And if you’re looking for a cost-effective gadget that offers you plenty of drying space, then Minky’s Retractable Reel with two lines is a good option. This nifty dryer gives you 30m of line length to get your laundry done. The lines fit into a durable plastic case, and it fixes to the wall with brackets so you can remove the whole thing easily. The lines are PVC coated for cleanability and it can take up to 25kg in weight.
4. Brabantia WallFix Dryer – Best washing line for compact space
Rotary lines are a popular way to dry clothes outdoors because they take up little space for the amount of laundry they can handle. However, not everyone has the room to install one. So rather cleverly, Brabantia has come up with a way of wall mounting this type of dryer. This makes it ideal for compact gardens. It has 24m of line length, so there’s no compromise on drying space. Plus, it’s easy to pull out and tuck away in its neat storage box. Of course, you do pay more for this kind of device but if you haven’t got a wide space to pull out long washing lines, this is a great solution.
5. Hills Extenda 6 – Best heavy duty washing line
Whether you’re drying clothes indoors or out, the Hills Extenda washing line is a good option for large families. It has six lines that can extend to 6.5m, so there’s ample space for drying all your clothes, towels, bed linen and more. It’s well-made with a corrosion-resistant, powder-coated cabinet and is guaranteed for ten years. It features automatic spooling and line tension to make life easier. Plus, you can order a post kit if you don’t have a wall or fence to attach your lines to. Again, this retractable line does have the downside of being expensive, so you’d have to decide whether drying space or affordability is more important.
