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 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. The sturdiest lines are made out of steel coated in PVC. This makes them strong and weather-resistant. Typically they last much longer. However, they can also become extremely brittle when exposed to prolonged sunlight. Additionally, if they’re put under excessive loads they tend to stretch and deform to a point where they will not return to their original shape. There are still some fabric/rope/ nylon lines floating about but these do have a shorter lifespan and have proven unpopular over recent years. Fitting a retractable wash line The main disadvantage of these lines is their strength, and the other is that they require quite a lot of wall space. Although they don’t use much room when retracted, they require quite a lot of clearance space along the wall once open. 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.

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. Certain retractable washing lines can be placed above radiators, making it easy to dry washing without the help of a tumble drier in the winter. 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.

What is a retractable washing line?

Determine the desired height of your retractable washing line, too. You want it so that you can reach it easily, but it is high enough that large items such as sheets are clear of the ground. Ideally, make sure the washing is not in the way of paths as this means the washing will get in your way and also the path could be slippery from wet washing dripping on it. The design is simple, with two separate lines that pull out up to 15 metres each, and latch over hooks.

However, these units do take up the most space when not in use. They require around 1 metre of horizontal wall space and often protrude to around 25 – 30 cm even when fully retracted. Choosing the Right Size Retractable Washing Line 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: 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. 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. Here is a list of features to consider. The best retractable wishing lines incorporate several of the below qualities. Weatherproof constructionSince there are two independent lines, you could use just one when you don’t need the full 30 metres of space. One disadvantage of retractable wall mounted ‘rotary’ lines is their appearance when folded up against the wall. They can be a bit bulky if they don’t come with a cover.

The PVC lines retract into the casing after use meaning this washing line is easy to keep clean. The 30 m of drying space is enough for larger loads of washing – including bedding and bath towels. The only downside is that the lines can sag underneath heavier loads, so you’ll need to use a prop to support them. There are a few additional design features to look out for on the casing of the retractable washing line. Make sure that the casing is UV resistant . This will help make sure the plastic doesn’t become brittle and break. The benefit of having two separate lines is that you can achieve more drying space across a small area. This can be particularly useful if only a small amount of the garden gets a lot of sun.For example, it can help to hang heavier items closer to the reel or hooks than in the middle or the line, and only extend the line to 8 – 10 metres instead of the full 15. An average single retractable washing line can hold around 10-15 kg which means most average wash loads will be able to hang out to dry in one go. Customers have had success in encouraging the washing line to stay taut by using the cleat hooks under the line, as well as installing additional hooks. We really like this washing line – it’s a great quality unit that gives the impression from the outset that it will be long-lasting. The casing is sturdy, high quality plastic that will withstand extremes of weather, and the Cordomatic’s retractable mechanism is good and strong.