Retractable washing lines are ideal for small apartments or houses, allowing you to dry your laundry while saving space and reducing clutter. Depending on where your washing area is, they can be mounted indoors or outdoors onto a wall. They have either single or double lines that extend and lock into place, recoiling when not in use to store neatly out of the way.
Whether you need something heavy-duty or as small as possible, this buying guide will help you pick the sturdiest, most reliable retractable washing line for your home and laundry needs. Our review of the 10 best quality retractable washing lines in the UK from online sites like Amazon and Argos will also give you plenty of ideas while shopping.
Quick List - Top Retractable Washing Lines
Minky
Hugely Popular and With Double Lines That Fit 3 Loads of Washing
Brabrantia
A Stylish and Subtle Dryer for Bathrooms or Other Living Spaces
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Retractable washing lines can be used both indoors and outdoors, but some suit one better than the other. For those who don't want a permanent laundry line taking up space in the garden or patio, larger multi-line styles – that look similar to a mounted clothes dryer – are a great option.
Indoor types are suited to students and people who live in smaller spaces with only a tight balcony, laundry room, or limited floor space. Many retractable lines can be used interchangeably inside and out. However, some outdoor types have bulky casings that may look awkward and out of place indoors. For use in a living space, a compact type with a sleek casing would be ideal.
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Outdoor lines are constantly exposed to the elements, whereas indoor types are also susceptible to corrosion, mould and mildew. Therefore, when buying a retractable washing line, it is important to select durable materials for the entire unit that won't rust or wear out easily.
The clothing line itself should be strong enough that it won't sag or break under the weight of heavy, damp laundry. The sturdiest lines have a metal core that is coated in PVC so that it is rust-resistant. For a strong housing or casing, go for stainless steel, plastic or higher-grade ABS plastic for durability and resistance to rust and the elements.
Especially for outdoor clothing lines, having the materials treated with a UV-resistant coating is also essential to protect against prolonged sun exposure and enhance the overall durability.
The great thing about retractable washing lines is that you get a decent amount of hanging space without any contraptions getting in the way. With that being said, you should still take into consideration how far each line can extend (in metres) and whether you have enough space for your clothes, towels or sheets to hang when in use.
The capacity (of a single, double or multi-line option) will give you an estimate of how much laundry is able to fit at once. A standard retractable washing line is around 12 to 15 m and is suitable for a small household of up to two people, whereas up to 30 m should suffice for a family of four.
Short on space but love having guests over? Check out these extendable dining tables.
Retractable washing lines are usually mounted onto the wall with the use of a bracket. Most manufacturers will include an instruction manual plus the necessary screws, bolts, brackets and plugs that you need to attach the line yourself at home.
Nevertheless, to drill holes into the wall where the screws should be fitted, you will require a drill – and the option to do so if in a rented property. To make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand, check your purchase to see what's included and what's not.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Minky Outdoor Retractable Reel Washing Line | ![]() | Hugely Popular and With Double Lines That Fit 3 Loads of Washing | |
2 | Brabantia WallFix Retractable Washing Line | ![]() | A Heavy-Duty Option for Indoors or Out | |
3 | Vileda Cordomatic Retractable Washing Line | ![]() | An Affordable and Sturdy Pick to Help You Save Space | |
4 | Brabrantia Retractable Indoor Washing Line | ![]() | A Stylish and Subtle Dryer for Bathrooms or Other Living Spaces | |
5 | Dryzem Dual Retractable Washing Line | ![]() | Easy to Install and Remove With a Quick-Release Mechanism | |
6 | LIVIVO Dual Washing Line Airer Reel | ![]() | Weather, Rust, Mould, and Mildew-Resistant Line for Indoor and Outdoor Use | |
7 | Beldray Retractable Washing Line | ![]() | Strong and Durable, Perfect for Small Gardens, Balconies, Caravans or Boats | |
8 | Hills Extenda 4 Retractable Washing Line | ![]() | Great Build and Quality, With a Line Tensioning Feature to Prevent Sagging | |
9 | Casa Bella Outdoor/Indoor Washing Line | ![]() | Retractable Clothing Line with Compact Casing That Can Be Left Outside All Year Round | |
10 | Addis Outdoor Dual Retractable Washing Line | ![]() | A Family-Suitable Option With a Unique Wind-Up Handle |
Able to extend to two 15 m lines, the Minky retractable washing line can hold three average-sized loads of washing weighing around 25 kg in total. PVC-coated lines ensure durability against the elements and they won't sag even after prolonged use.
The housing itself is UV-stabilised to prevent permanent damage from the sun. And with a quick-release bracket to detach the entire thing, you can bring it in during winter to extend its wear. The compact size makes this option a great pick for anyone short on space, whether you have a small patio, balcony, or garden.
Brabantia are known for their high-quality household products, and this retractable washing line is no different. It can be mounted anywhere indoors or out to help you save space. The different cord lengths ensure suitable hanging space for all types of garments from small to large.
The casing is made from rust- and weather-resistant stainless steel which is known for its robustness. On top of that, you'll get a weather-resistant protection cover. Installation-wise, you'll be given everything you need including clear step-by-step instructions that will help you get it fixed in no time.
Made from UV-resistant, high-quality ABS plastic, Vileda's Cordomatic is sure to withstand the extremes of UK weather, even with long-term exposure. You get one clothing line that can be extended up to 15 m, which is more than enough to do one big load of washing.
To keep the lines taut, a tension stud is located at the bottom of the unit, which you can control. You'll receive all the parts you need for installation, including galvanised fittings, screws, and wall plugs that can be attached with minimal effort.
Another trustworthy pick from Brabantia is this pull-out style retractable washing line, which will give you 22 m of drying space once stretched out to its full capacity. It is meant to be installed between two walls, so it'd be a perfect and hardly noticeable space saver for a kitchen, bathroom or other living area.
The pull-out system is smooth and flawless, while the lines are kept taut with the auto-blocking system so it doesn't sag under heavy laundry. Every aspect of this washing line is designed to last, such as the robust materials used, and the silver and black design looks much smarter than most, too.
With solid fixing hooks and clasps, you can have peace of mind while your clothes dry on the Dryzem double washing line. The entire structure itself is sturdy thanks to the robust PVC material of the cords and casing, which will stand against rust and weather conditions.
Twin lines provide up to 30 m of drying space, which is suitable for hanging two loads of laundry simultaneously. Moreover, you won't have to worry about drooping or flimsy lines because you can easily adjust and lock the lines tautly.
Livivo's sleek and compact retractable washing line is suitable for outdoor and indoor use. You get two 15 m UV-stabilised ABS-coated cords that can be used individually depending on the task at hand. They're also resistant to water, weather, mould and mildew.
Thanks to the spring loaded internal mechanism, the lines are as quick to extend as they are to recoil, ensuring tangle-free and smooth operation. Lock the lines to secure them tautly in place and you won't experience any sagging. Some users have mentioned that the build isn't as solid as you would wish for the price.
This pick is suitable for compact spaces such as small balconies, gardens, or if you live or holiday on a boat or caravan. On the other hand, with only 12 m of hanging space, it won't be enough for a household with more than two people.
Looking for a hard-wearing retractable clothesline for your family that will be with you for a very long time? You can't go wrong with the Hills Extend.! There are 4 lines and each can be extended up to 6.5 m, giving you 26 m in total.
Unlike many other options, you can adjust the tension of each line separately to hold heavier loads without sagging. We like that the lines are nicely spaced out for easy hanging as well as getting enough airflow for clothes to dry sufficiently. Nevertheless, it's costly, and the rather large casing doesn't look so discreet – even when tucked away.
Offering 15 m of drying space that winds up into a weatherproof casing, the Casa Bella retractable clothing line can be left outside all year round. The compact casing can be moved freely from side to side, giving more flexibility in terms of where you can hook it, while also allowing it to be discreetly tucked away.
With an automatic retraction mechanism, rewinding the line into the casing is quick and easy. The end of the line even has a cap that will fit seamlessly into the casing. On the downside, some users note that the cord has a tendency to sag under heavier items like coats and jeans.
Featuring two retractable UV-resistant lines of 12 m each, Addis's retractable washing line offers plenty of hanging space for a household of four. The cords of 6 mm are strong enough for heavier items, too.
In addition, all the fixtures and fittings are included, as well as full instructions. The unique wind-up handle makes taking it out and retracting it quick and easy, but being an extra mechanism, some users reported it becoming faulty over time.
Written and researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: Minky|Outdoor Retractable Reel Washing Line
No. 2: Brabantia|WallFix Retractable Washing Line
No. 3: Vileda|Cordomatic Retractable Washing Line
No. 4: Brabrantia|Retractable Indoor Washing Line
No. 5: Dryzem|Dual Retractable Washing Line
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