This line actually comes with its own fittings, screws and wall plugs, so you can install it without needing to take a trip to the DIY shop or scouring your toolbox for suitable screws. Because I already have three retractable washing lines on test at my home I decided to buy one for my good friend Mark. His wife had been on his case for a retractable washing line for months – mainly because Summer was coming up, they had just made a fantastic job of their garden and wanted to enjoy it. Having a fixed washing line in place was a problem for space – it’s not a huge garden. However, when I recommended the Vileda his wife was adamant one 15m line wouldn’t cut it. Given I had already reviewed one retractable line that appears to be very similar and the Minky, here we are testing it in Mark’s garden: The heavy-duty casing is highly corrosion resistant and both the casing and the lines are UV stabilised, meaning this washing line is built to last. Retractaline offer a 10 year structural warranty, although this excludes the lines which come with a 2 year replacement warranty. The Tensor retractable washing line isn’t a budget buy, and costs more than the Vileda, Minky, Toctax, and Beldray models. It isn’t super-expensive, but then again, there isn’t anything that would make me choose this over the Vileda or Minky for garden use. For indoors, however, I would pay the extra for the sleek design.

Retractable washing lines have, in recent years, become a go-to for drying laundry thanks to convenience and user-friendly design. Their benefit extends to financial as well, as unlike tumble dryers, they cost absolutely nothing to run! However, if your outside space is L-shaped or ‘dog-legged’ as it’s sometimes called. Overall, a dual retractable washing line may save you money instead of buying two products. The beauty of a dual-line model is that they are flexible and the lines do not necessarily have to go in the same direction or be of the same length. Lastly, the UV stable, adjustable housing unit can move freely from side to side affording better flexibility and can be pushed against the wall out of the way when not in use.

1. Minky Retractable Reel Washing Line Review

From the most expensive, to the cheapest now, with our choice for best budget retractable washing line- the Beldray LA026996, which will give you a good bit of change from a tenner, and won’t disappoint you as long as you don’t expect too much from it. The problem can easily be solved by using a clothes prop or by wrapping the line twice round the anchor point. Another method that requires a little bit of DIY is to install 1-2 galvanised cleat hooks just below the retractable unit. Heavier items such as duvet covers can be hung over both lines. If it wasn’t for this, the Minky would have received full marks. Available from:

Its a matter of personal preference whether you choose a single or double lined washing line, but the available space you have for hanging washing will likely force your hand. Double-lined just means you have two lines that come out of one body which means you have double the hanging capacity. They are a fantastic invention, but they do come at a higher cost, so it’s worth considering how many lines you need before you buy one. Line construction When open, these lines can be quite large, often with 100 cm + space on each side. Therefore, they tend to be big enough for hanging larger items like sheets, if folded once. Buying a cover for your wall mounted ‘rotary’ line can give it a much more subtle appearance, and also stop the lines from getting grubby if it’s positioned outside. Retractable washing lines are a great option for those who don’t want a washing line permanently strung across their garden. They can look a lot neater than other lines, and once retracted they often become virtually unnoticeable.

Retractaline 32 Metre Retractable Clothesline

These retractable washing lines offer a large amount of hanging space. Whilst some units only have one spool inside, other models can have two. The length of the line will depend on the model, but it’s possible for each spool to hold approximately 15 metres of line. If there are two spools in one washing line unit (a dual retractable washing line), this will give around 30 metres of hanging space. When you look at the design of this Minky clothesline you can just see that they have thought of everything. The casing (or housing) of the model is sturdy and compact. Making it extremely discreet when not in use as well as being an ideal option for people who are short on outdoor or even indoor space. If you are looking at an option for outdoor use then the casing is UV-resistant and tough.

Whatever your laundry needs, there’s sure to be a retractable washing line for you to suit your lifestyle, living situation and access to the outdoors! In this section, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions on retractable washing lines. How does a retractable washing line work?Each drying line has an automatic retraction mechanism that allows you to retract it with the push of a single button and a cap to keep dirt out of the housing unit and off of the line. This clothesline can be indoors as well as outdoors, and comes with easy-to-follow fitting instructions and a fitting kit. You will also want to attach cup hooks to the sturdy surface in which your clothesline will extend to so that it can be hooked up securely. There are various types of retractable washing lines which we will explore in the following subsections.

Worth a look: Soreli Retractable Washing line 12M What you should know before buying a retractable washing line This Minky washing line is ideal for people who do a lot of laundry. The two 15-metre cords can be used to hang up to 25 kg of freshly washed laundry, which is almost three full average-sized loads. I used an adjustable spanner to grab my hook and just twisted it into the timber – install complete! The washing lines are kept taut by wrapping them around an anchor point on the base of the unit. However, when fully extended (over 12m), the lines can slip causing your washing to sag in the middle. If you are tired of stretching out a washing line from one point to another, every time you have to dry your clothes, then you are looking at the right line here in my opinion. The Brabantia WallFix Retractable Washing Line is a unique wall – mounted design that can be folded shut when not in use. It definitely solves the problem of stretching a washing line out over and over again and saves you time and energy – no question. But can you justify spending 4 times as much? That’s the question. If you want quality I guess read on for some key info!

5. Brabantia Retractable Indoor Washing Line Review

Can last longer than either a single or double line products. If any of the lines break, you still have three more to use. If your retractable washing line is going to be fitted outdoors, then this tip is definitely for you. There is one thing people often forget when choosing the appropriate location for their washing line. Most gardens have a dark, unpleasant spot, a place where the sun never shines. Please don’t fix your retractable washing line in this area. Choose a location that gets the majority of the sunlight; otherwise, even on the best retractable washing line your washing will never dry. If you’re looking for heavy duty and durable family washing line that will provide years of service, the Hills Extenda fits the bill. The lines are housed in a strong and corrosion-resistant cabinet and because of a line tensioning feature that actually works, even heavy articles such as jeans and towels won’t cause the lines to sag. There are two primary differences between this DRYZEM line and the Minky retractable washing line. This DRYZEM washing line can rotate on its axis, making it easier to connect to different areas of the garden that aren’t directly in front of the unit. However, it is not as easy to remove from the wall as the Minky unit; whereas the Minky unit can be simply unclipped for easy storage, the DRYZEM model requires screws to be removed.