Laundry day: 7 of the best retractable clotheslines
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Writer’s note: The following listicle was originally published on August 31, 2020 at the now-defunct website Lifestyle Reviews. There were originally 12 options, but five are no longer available. This listicle has been lightly edited for technical details and readability. (If you’re interested in reading more top 10-, 15- and 20 lists for your home upgrades, home offices, tech shopping and everyday living, click here. If you’re a pet lover, you may enjoy this collection as well.)
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There are some clothes that will never be friends with electric dryers. They’re usually bras, sweaters, polyester/spandex tops and shapewear. While you could take your chances and put anything you want in the dryer, chances are you’ll be picking off lint or stretching it out to be presentable enough to wear again.
Consider investing in a retractable clothesline instead. If you’re lucky enough to have a deck where you can hang your clothes outside or on a line, a retractable outdoor clothesline works there.
But if you live in an apartment or condo that frowns upon that sort of thing, you’re going to have a tough time convincing your neighbors that your collection of shapewear G-strings must greet all the delivery drivers and their guests.
Save yourself the argument and buy a retractable indoor clothesline instead. One of these seven retractable laundry lines will help with giving your clothes an extended wearable time, along with keeping bright colors looking their best.
1. BESy
This wall-mounted retractable clothesline is lightweight, easy to install and hold all kinds of clothing.
Key Features
ABS protective case
Aluminum dryer with adjustable stainless steel
13.8 feet
Available in black, gold, pink, white and silver, you can use adhesive with glue and temporary onetime tape to install the clothesline. Hold it in place for five minutes, and avoid putting anything on the line for 72 hours. This can hold up to 44 pounds.
Pros
No drilling, install on any smooth surface such as ceramic tiles
Fully retractable
Cons
One reviewer reported the anchor pulled off drywall
Another reviewer said the plastic looked cheap
This clothesline, with its concave design and aluminum design, can be installed with a drill. But avoid cement walls, painted walls, wallpaper and dry wall. Tiles, glass, marble and metal should work out just fine.
2. Household Essentials
Whether for indoors or outdoors, this clothesline can be used to hang wet clothes or dry laundry to avoid wrinkles.
Key Features
8 x 36.5 x 6.5
White
Lines extend to 34 feet (170 feet of space)
It is set up to dry multiple loads of laundry. Also, the aluminum housing features large tightening knobs, which keep lines taut and protected.
Pros
Space-saving adjustable line
Tangle-free
Cons
Not as lightweight as others
One interview reported the locking mechanism broke
This product can be used indoors or outdoors, but you’ll need enough room to set it up. On an especially hot day, consider mounting the clothesline in the garage, basement or on the porch.
3. GorillaLine
This space-saving clothesline works with one touch. Retract as needed, and put the heavy-duty clothesline away when you don’t.
Key Features
Stainless steel laundry line
Coated in plastic
Hardware and screws included
This model combines durability with fashionable decor, so it does not stick out like a sore thumb. It stretches out to 13 feet 9 inches, and up to 40 pounds.
Pros
Hides in seconds
Easy installation
Cons
Does not include adhesive
May be sturdy but not have a tight hold, as one reviewer reported
Unlike some clotheslines that tend to stand out even when not in use, this one can blend in on any wall and even may match the walls or tiles.
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4. IdioMum
This heavy-duty outdoor clothesline comes in handy for all of your delicates and other laundry needs. Just mount the durable line to the wall of your choice, and start hanging clothes.
Key Features
40 feet long
Holds 30 pounds
Special Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material
These clotheslines are engineered to last through all kinds of wear and tear from wet clothing and constant hanging. Screws, screw-jackets and a hook are also included in the package.
Pros
Simple installation with all hardware included
Absorbs shock
Cons
Several reviewers confirmed the line would not hold tightly in place
Several users said the retraction line broke within a short period of time
Although there is a weight requirement, systematic washing (washing delicates more frequently) will help avoid having too many items on the line at once.
5. JOOM
Retractable clotheslines are designed to stay in place when one line is stretched to the other. But this one adds a little extra security with a lock option to make sure it doesn’t accidentally snap and your clothes go flying.
Key Features
Unlock/lock feature
Polished chrome finish
Stainless steel
This 9.2-foot option is available in nine models: chrome finish, black, brushed antique brass, brushed black, brushed nickel, brushed rose golden, chrome (drill) and white. It can hold a maximum of 22 pounds when mounted. It’s also flexible for both indoor and outdoor use.
Pros
Antiskid design
Rustproof
Cons
Requires tools for installation (i.e. drill)
Several users had problem getting the bracket and screw to accurately mount (one did not receive screws at all)
Although some people may be turned off by drill do-it-yourself steps, a considerable amount of users are in agreement about installation process.
6. Caudblor Portable
The Caudblor reduces that annoying problem that happens often with hanging clothes to dry — clothes of different weights (when wet) shifting around over each other. The movable locking stopper on this option adjusts space so they can be spaced apart, dry evenly and effectively.
Key Features
33-foot line
Windproof clothespins
12-piece locking beads
Hang your clothes with assistance from the stoppers for this nylon clothesline. Just turn the handle to adjust for length (long or short), and let time and heat do the rest. Then take it down when you’re done.
Pros
Lightweight
Small enough to put in your pocket
Cons
One user complained about the difficulty of winding it manually
Several users questioned its strength
This indoor/outdoor clothesline can be used everywhere, including hotel trips, camping and your bathroom. The two hooks on the line ends can pretty much be attached to any area where the hooks can latch onto or tied around, including trees.
7. Minky
This gray option is good for balconies, gardens and patios. On its special bracket, you can use the clip-off option to remove as needed if you decide you want to move the clothesline to another room (or home).
Key Features
Option of 49-foot clothesline space, or two 49-feet lines
UV stable protective casing
Includes all wall attachment components for easy, stress-free setup
Made to hold up to 55 pounds (or 33 pounds), this PVC-coated line can handle approximately one load from the wash with the one-line option or two loads with the two-line option.
Pros
Sunlight resistant
Easy to wipe clean
Cons
One reviewer reported that the tabs have both cracked and broke under very light use
Some may be disappointed to find out that the whole apparatus is made from plastic
Unlike the other clotheslines, this one is ideal outside — backyards, patios and balconies.
Key Information to Know
Safety first
Before investing in a clothesline, there are a few things you should know. It’s not just about which clothesline is heavy-duty enough to hold blankets, sweaters, carpets or jeans. There’s also the matter of making sure it’s safe.
Locks
For some clotheslines, there is a lock option to keep the rope in place. Pay attention to which way to turn or adjust the rope beforehand. There should never be a point where the clothesline is repeatedly snapping out of place or clothes are falling because they’re too heavy on the line. If the line is too tense or not tense enough, you should remove clothing as needed. Maybe you’ll have to wash loads strategically or hang a few pieces of apparel at a time. But you want to avoid heavy duty rope accidentally snapping out of its locked or tied location and potentially hitting someone nearby.
Height
Children and pets should be kept away from clotheslines at all times. Of course, this may be easier said than done if the dog plays in the backyard while the lines are in use. Or, a small child wants to grab a couple of items from the bathtub clothesline.
To both groups, this is a fun game to play just so they can see if said clothing will come down. Just as the locks can be dangerous if not used correctly, small children or pets yanking on clothing while drying can also be dangerous. Eventually both groups will get used to seeing hanging items from clotheslines, but as long as it’s a novelty to see, don’t leave these curious snoopers alone.
Outdoor or Indoor?
No one can answer that question but you. While the bathroom may be the most private place to hang clothes, that plan can fall flat should you do laundry and invite a few guests over. Chances are that they’ll probably ask to go to the bathroom before they leave. And for homeowners, apartment dwellers and condo owners, bathrooms don’t always come with windows. So it is very much possible that the clothing could dry with a damp smell from being in an enclosed environment.
Don’t put your clothesline in a room where you’re already seeing a concerning amount of uncomfortable temperatures. Obviously, a room that gets pretty hot (or holds heat well in the winter months) will do better than a damp, cool temperature. The same rules apply outside. If you live in a rainy, damp neighborhood, an outside clothesline may not be the best option. As long as you’re comfortable with where the brackets, hooks and glue installations will go (do not guess), you should be OK though.
Complaints about weight
As you can see from the cons above, there were people who complained about the clothes not staying on the line or the clothesline immediately flopping off. This is not a completely unheard of thing to do. It happens. However, every clothesline is not created equally. Pay attention to the clothes in your closet that you want to be dried on a clothesline ahead of time.
For heavy-duty items, make sure to buy a heavy-duty clothesline. For lightweight items, you probably won’t have much to worry about (besides pinching pins). You can significantly reduce the lifespan of a clothesline if you are constantly putting clothes on it that are too heavy or don’t even require hang drying. If there’s an item (ex. a comforter) that would be better off in the dryer, go for it. But some items, such as comforters, may not dry fully in the middle if feathers are inside. Get very comfortable with the weight of the clothes as well as all material in the clothing on Laundry Day.
Bottom Line
Clotheslines such as the seven above come in handy for a variety of reasons. Too often people get rid of clothing (especially fast fashion) because it wears out its longevity too easily. While there’s an argument to be made for clothing that isn’t of the best quality, there’s another argument to be made that too many times people just don’t do what’s best for their clothing.
If you want to keep bright clothes brighter, detergent alone won’t do it if the clothing is then put in the dryer on “high.” If you want to keep bras and other threading from getting tangled, it’s probably best to not let it flop around with other easily tangled items.
Of course, apparel users should always follow the washing instructions on the clothing tags. But more often than not, clothing that has specific instructions about “tumble dry low” usually means it could do without the dryer altogether. And sometimes clothes that can be dried, such as jeans, just last longer when the dye is not exposed to heat from dryers (and irons). Will it be a little more wrinkled than usual? Possibly. But clothing in the dryer can also have a look of disarray. Do what works best for you, but also make sure to give your new (and older) clothes a chance to be worth the money spent. Making hanging a common part of your fashion routine!
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