For small gardens, opt for the shortest length of line possible. Shorter retractable lines tend to come in a single, not a double, unit. This means the casing will be smaller overall and generally protrude less from the wall. Assembling a washing line depends on the design that you have chosen. The most classic styles require a hole being made in the grass which is the perfect size to slot it in without it falling over. For drying a lot of clothes without forking out loads of money, the Minky Retractable Washing Line provides 30 m of drying space and is very reasonably priced. The washing line itself retracts easily into the UV-resistant casing when it’s not needed, and is long enough to hold approximately three loads of washing when fully extended. However, it does have a tendency to stretch, which is its biggest downside. The NETTA Retractable Reel Washing Line is an inexpensive option offering 30 m of red PVC-coated line.

Extra hanger hooks - With a big drying space, this dryer can be used for your delicates too with small hooks in place. Using a washing line outdoors is better for the environment and more energy efficient than cranking up your radiators or using the tumble dryer. As a result, drying heavier washing such as towels and jeans can cause the washing line to hang low to the ground, and it’s therefore better suited to drying smaller loads of washing. The Brabantia 385766 Retractable Indoor Washing is designed to fit into your bathroom. If you don’t have a dryer or an outside space to dry your clothes, this dryer fits nicely above your bath tub. Washing lines and airers state their capacity in metres and kilograms so this will give you a good idea if it will meet your requirements.

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.

A cool feature of the casing is that it moves freely from side to side, allowing you the flexibility of where you can hook it and also allowing it to be nicely stored against any surface. This design can save on valuable storage space, unlike some of the other bulkier washing lines casings. Pros The reel enclosure is built for tough outdoor use. The ABS plastic is protected from harmful UV rays, and is water-proof, mould and mildew resistant. It won’t be harmed by leaving it out there year round. Below you’ll find information to help you find the best retractable washing line for your garden. Benefits of a Retractable Washing Line SPRING is in the air and it's the ideal time to break out one of the best washing lines and start drying clothes outside again.

For the most part, concertina lines can extend outwards up to around 60 cm, and often they remain reasonably sturdy even when items are hung on the bars furthest from the wall unit. When it comes to buying the best retractable washing line, probably the most important requirement is strength. The last thing you want is to find your washing line that is full of clothes lying on the ground and know everything needs rewashing! You also need to think about capacity, which is determined by the length of the line. Some models are even designed to adjust to a certain extent, making them perfect for awkwardly shaped spaces. They often have around 24 – 26 metres of drying space, which is generally suitable for one load of washing.

Assembly is also very straightforward. The retractable washing line can be put up in 5 – 10 minutes and comes with fixings included. Another useful feature is that this rotary dryer has an adjustable height. This is good news if you’re on the short side and don’t want to keep reaching up when you peg up your laundry. But it’s also useful to put the dryer to the tallest height if you’re drying long items such as trousers or sheets to keep them off the ground. There’s plenty of space for a whole machine load, with 24m of clothes line and extra hanger hooks for drying delicate garments. Features and Benefits

What's the best retractable washing line?

The biggest disadvantage of retractable washing lines that use a spool is that they can sag under the weight of heavier items. In the ‘troubleshooting’ section below there are some tips on how to stop this from happening.

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.Units that have a similar appearance to standard rotary washing lines but are wall mounted and fold up neatly against the wall when not in use. Easy to setup - Just fix this securely to your outside wall so that you can start to dry your clothes instantly! If your retractable washing line is sagging, you have to tighten it. There is usually either a wheel to tighten it, or you can do it manually. The best retractable washing lines will have cleats underneath the casing . Seeing as one of the biggest problems with retractable lines is maintaining tension, wrapping the line around cleats can help better secure the line.