You’d think the answer to this would be simple. But it is not as obvious as it first seems. The first thing you need to consider is the size and shape of the indoor or outdoor space where you are considering installing retractable lines. Because of their horizontal design, this style of retractable airer works well when positioned over a radiator inside. They’re often made from aluminium and plastic-coated steel, which also makes them suitable for use outside.

A second question, by extension, is how much line do you need? This often depends entirely on you and your household. If there are a lot of you, or if you have more clothes than you know what to do with, then a 2 or even 3-line unit might be what you need. It may be the case that 2 shorter lines are more useful than 1 long line, to maximise usable space. Line material This retractable clothes line is sturdy once installed. It has recessed side handles to extend it easily and it stores flush with the wall when its in the collapsed position.It’s not just for smaller areas either, there are lines available up to 30 metres for those with larger gardens. When looking to buy a retractable washing line it is always important to make sure you make the right choice for the space you have and the amount of laundry you need to dry. There are several things you may need to consider including price, clothesline capacity, line strength as well as if you want an outdoor or indoor retractable washing line. The lines can be set at two different lengths which makes this perfect for those unusually shaped gardens or for maximising usable drying space in a room or on a balcony. 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. This clever design means that you don’t need a large garden to take advantage of the 24 metres of line the Wallfix offers, and you can get a ton of washing on there at one time. What’s more, unlike other retractable washing lines, this can really handle the weight without any problems whatsoever.

As you would expect with a Brabantia product this indoor retractable clothesline is made to be both compact and resistant. There are two different models. A slightly cheaper plastic model and a more premium matt steel version. We have tested both of these Brabantia clotheslines and although the plastic model is very good, the extra durability, style and quality from the matt steel version is so worth a couple of extra quid. Multiple lines can be very handy if you’re short on space. Let’s say you have a small garden, or maybe even just a balcony or small spare room to utilise- multiple, parallel, washing lines can help you make the most of your available space. 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. Given the heavy-duty nature of the washing line, the tensioning handle is made of comparatively insubstantial plastic. Available from: Also, in terms of safety, this washing line is bright red instead of the usual greens and blues. It’s therefore very easy to see in the garden which can help prevent accidents.Occasionally, certain styles of retractable washing line can come up against specific problems. Below are the most common problems that come up for spool lines and wall mounted ‘rotary’ lines, as well as how to combat them. Troubleshooting Spool Retractable Washing Lines

Often people overload it which stretches the lines, leaving some longer than the others. That affects the operation of the washing line. However, you should be fine if you follow the instructions correctly. The handy dryer will fit even the smallest area and fold away into a compact, space-saving unit. And, there is no need to carry, set up, or store a washing line, because it is fixed to the wall and always ready for use. 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.As we previously mentioned, the best retractable washing line for you is dependent on what you need, how much space you have and where that space is. As most models are more than affordable, price doesn’t really come into it as a factor. Our advice at Washing-Line is to always spend those few extra pounds as it can make the world of difference in terms of quality and the product’s life. What is the best outdoor retractable clothesline? Although this is the shortest length of washing line featured here, it’s still capable of hanging a couple of loads at once – up to 15 kg in total. It consists of one single line that automatically retracts after use. The line itself is relatively thin, with no wire core, but with the use of a couple of clothes props laundry won’t drag on the floor. The first thing to do is work out where you want your retractable washing line. Regardless of the type of line, it will need to be positioned on a strong wall or fence, nothing weak or flimsy. I’ve decided to throw a bit of a curve ball – this is a retractable clothes line but does so againt the wall rather than a spool. The upside, it’s robust and compact making it extermely easy to put all washing out without moving or messing around so much, the down side is the price. The retractable clothesline you can see in the following image is about the most common size, so take a look and decide if you’d have that in your house or out in the garden: How long do they last?