Quick Answer
At The Clothesline Store, the best heavy-duty retractable clothesline is the Austral RetractAway 50 with 50m of hanging space. The Hills 7 Line (47m) and Daytek 6 Line (42m) suit families, and the Brabantia 22m suits small indoor spaces.
A heavy-duty retractable clothesline pulls out when you need it and disappears when you don't. It's ideal for courtyards, side passages, balconies and backyards where you want the space back after wash day.
1. Austral RetractAway 50: Our Top Pick
The Austral RetractAway 50 is our recommended retractable clothesline for big households. It has 5 PVC-coated lines with 50 metres of hanging space, extends from 2m to 10m and suits up to 6 people. Mount it wall to wall, or use a ground post. It comes in Surfmist, Woodland Grey, Monument or Classic Cream.
2. Hills 7 Line Retracting Clothesline
The Hills 7 Line offers 47 metres of hanging space across 7 lines, extends from 2.0m to 6.75m, holds up to 70kg and suits 1 to 5 people. It installs wall to wall, post to post or into a ground socket, comes in Monument, and has a lifetime warranty on the cabinet.
3. Daytek 6 Line Retractable Clothesline
The Daytek 6 Line gives up to 42 metres of hanging space, extends up to 7m and suits 1 to 5 people, with room for super king sheets. Each line is individually sprung and tensioned, and one turn locks all lines. It has a black powder-coated steel cabinet and a 15 year frame warranty, and works indoors or outdoors.
4. Brabantia 22m Retractable Clothesline
For smaller indoor areas, the Brabantia 22m is a compact stainless steel retractable with 5 lines and up to 22 metres of hanging space. It extends to 4.4m and suits 1 to 2 people. It works in bathrooms, laundries and on covered balconies, and has a 5 year frame warranty.
How Do You Choose the Right Retractable Clothesline?
Measure the distance between your mounting points, because this sets the extension you need (up to 10m on the RetractAway 50, 7m on the Daytek, 6.75m on the Hills and 4.4m on the Brabantia). Match line space to your household: around 40 to 50m suits families, and 22m suits 1 to 2 people. Check your mounting surface, whether that's a solid wall, a post or both. Choose powder-coated steel or stainless steel for outdoor weather.
How Do You Care for a Retractable Clothesline?
Retract the lines when not in use, wipe the cabinet and lines down regularly, check the lock and line tension from time to time, and keep lines taut so washing doesn't drag. Longer lines naturally sag slightly in the middle when fully extended.
Professional Clothesline Installation
The Clothesline Store offers professional retractable clothesline installation and old line removal in selected areas, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Geelong, the Gold Coast and Newcastle. Just select the installation option at checkout.
Shipped Direct From Our Warehouse
As Australia's largest private stockholder of clotheslines, The Clothesline Store ships in-stock items the same or next business day from our own national warehouse, with a 4.9 out of 5 star customer rating.
Related Guides from The Clothesline Store
Read what to do if your retractable clothesline won't retract, see common retractable clothesline problems, and find out why fences aren't the right mounting point.
Retractable Clothesline FAQs
What is the best heavy-duty retractable clothesline in Australia?
The Austral RetractAway 50 is our recommended choice, with 50m of hanging space, 5 lines and up to 10m extension, suiting up to 6 people.
How far can a retractable clothesline extend?
It depends on the model: the Austral RetractAway 50 extends up to 10m, the Daytek 6 Line up to 7m, the Hills 7 Line up to 6.75m and the Brabantia 22m up to 4.4m.
Can a retractable clothesline be installed without two walls?
Yes. Most models can mount wall to post or post to post using a ground post kit, so you don't need two walls.
Which retractable clothesline is best for a small space?
The Brabantia 22m is compact, extends to 4.4m and suits 1 to 2 people, making it ideal for apartments, bathrooms and balconies.
Where can I buy a retractable clothesline?
Online from The Clothesline Store, Australia's largest private clothesline stockist since 2003, with a 4.9 out of 5 star customer rating.
Final Thoughts
A heavy-duty retractable clothesline makes laundry easier, faster and more energy efficient. For the most line space, choose the Austral RetractAway 50. Need help choosing? Give our team a call, and we're always happy to talk through your setup.
