5 Best Clothesline Rope Options for 2023

Clothesline Rope Review

You may not be all that fond of doing laundry.

But there is no denying that it is an indispensable chore that you cannot do away with, no matter how much you put it off. So, we’re here to make the job a lot easier for you.

Top Clothesline Rope Options 2023

 TypeWeightSizeMaterial
Riveda Retractable Clothesline

Retractable1.32 pounds7.05 x 6.18 x 2.87 inchesHeat and crack-resistant plastic
Bakala Retractable Clothesline

Retractable2.25 pounds11.81 x 6.18 x 2.87 inchesSuitable for light clothes
Whitmor Plastic Clothesline

non-retractable plastic rope11.5 ounces7.5 x 10 x 2 inchesDurable plastic
SGT KNOTS Cotton Clothesline Rope

non-retractable cotton rope14 ounces11.69 x 3.9 x 3.78 inches100% all-natural Cotton
Strata Clothesline Kit

Heavy Duty Clothesline4.4 pounds13 x 9 x 8 inchesGalvanized steel cable and PVC coating

An eco-friendly, outdoor clothesline is always a great option. So, what is a clothesline anyway?

It is a stretch of wire, or it could be a rope attached between two endpoints. The endpoints could be a concrete wall or pole, and they serve as support.

Despite dryers being prevalent in homes these days, many people prefer hanging clothes on clothesline rope, especially during summer. It is an easy and effortless way to save money and energy.

But waiting for clothes to dry on the line each time you do your laundry can be a tad annoying. That is where a retractable clothesline can be super helpful.

These clotheslines are equipped with mounting hardware so that you can use them anywhere – indoors or outdoors.

You can mount them in your backyard, patios, balconies, and many other places. You can also adjust the length to accommodate tons of laundry if you have skipped doing laundry for some time.

These clotheslines include a double line and come with a carrying case for convenient storage.

When there are two lines, you can hang all your clothes, including regular wear, wet towels, swimwear, spa suits, bathing suits, baby clothes, etc.

The clotheslines should be durable, sturdy, rustproof, and weatherproof to withstand any weather conditions. This feature is useful if you have installed your clothesline outdoors.

If you are away from home, you don’t have to be worried about an unexpected shower ruining your clothesline and rusting your equipment and clothes.

The accessories that come with some of these clotheslines may include plastic pegs to keep your clothes from blowing away because of strong winds.

If you’re looking for the best clothesline rope for your home, we have the top 5 best options to recommend.

Best Retractable Clothesline: Riveda Retractable Clothesline

Riveda Retractable Clothesline Review

Riveda is a strong and durable retractable clothesline for both indoor and outdoor use. This heavy-duty clothesline rope is so easy to set up that anyone can use it.

It can mount within seconds, and you can pull the rope to any length you want using the Lock button.

After you have put up your laundry, you can retract the line to save space. It is useful if you are living in a small space or an apartment.

Are you bending your back every day by dragging heavy laundry? Give your back a break by using Riveda Retractable Clothesline!

Riveda can handle a load of up to 30 pounds. The line is 40 feet long, so there is enough room to handle plenty of laundries.

Once you have reached the length you require, all you have to do is lock the clothesline into place, pull it securely.

And hang up all your clothes. You can install this clothesline in your kitchen, garden, or on the balcony. It is one of the best retractable clotheslines.

Features Specs:

  • Type: Retractable
  • Weight: 1.32 pounds
  • Size: 7.05 x 6.18 x 2.87 inches
  • Material: Heat and crack-resistant plastic.

Pros:

  • It is easy to install and can be done in very few minutes.
  • Since it is retractable, it does not occupy much space.
  • The length can be adjusted depending on the load you have.
  • It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
  • It is lightweight, portable, and compact.
  • It helps you save money and energy.

Cons:

  • The clothesline tends to sag a little if the laundry you put up is too heavy.
  • Some people faced quality issues because of plastic construction.

Additional Features:

Riveda clothesline is great for hanging clothes of the entire family. It includes babywear, kids and adult clothes, bathing suits, sheets, and towels, without the cost spent on electric bills.

You can also take it along with you when you travel or go camping.

This clothesline comes with a set of 12 wooden clothespins. The 60-day warranty is a sweet deal, so if you don’t like your purchase for whatever reason, you can simply return it.

Runner Up: Bakala Retractable Clothesline

Bakala Retractable Clothesline Review

Bakara is a retractable clothing line that is sturdy and easy to install. It is perfect for indoor and outdoor use. This clothing line is multi-functional in two ways.

Firstly, you can set it up anywhere where you need a clothesline to dry clothes.

It includes a bathroom, living room, pool area, apartment, balcony, patio, or backyard. Moreover, it is convenient to dry wet bathing suits, towels, quilts, blankets, blouses, shirts, baby clothes, etc.

This clothing line is made of a top-notch ABS case and aluminum base. Moreover, the rope is made with 4M 304 stainless steel.

The instructions to assemble the unit are easy to follow, and all mounting hardware is included in the package.

The only thing you need to do is choose a spot to set up the clothesline, follow the instructions to a T, and within minutes your clothesline will be ready to accommodate clothes to dry!

Bakala can bear a load of 44 pounds for each line. Yes, it comes with double ropes, which is always a plus. The drying line extends to 4.2 meters (or 13.8 feet).

Adjust the length according to the space in which you are putting up the clothing line. You no longer have to be concerned about your newly washed clothes falling and getting dirty all over again.

You can stow it away when not in use because it comes with a highly desirable retractable feature.

Features Specs:

  • Type: Retractable
  • Weight: 2.25 pounds
  • Size: 11.81 x 6.18 x 2.87 inches
  • Material: ABS case and Aluminium base

Pros:

  • Effortless and quick installation.
  • Small in size, it is ideal for indoor or outdoor use.
  • Versatile and multi-functional.
  • Compact and helps to save space.

Cons:

  • The rope does not get very taut.
  • The points where you hook the cable are hard to snap in place.
  • The overall look is a little cheap.
  • The line sags and may even break if you are hanging heavy clothes, like a pair of jeans, for instance.

Additional Features:

The double retractable line of Bakala gives you more space for putting up wet clothes to hang. This is an immense space-saving option that is both waterproof and dustproof.

The durability of this clothesline is an added feature that provides great value overall.

It is a portable clothesline that is easy to take wherever you go. Apart from wall drilling, you also have the option to glue fix it.

It comes in 4 attractive colors, so you can choose one to complement the rest of your home décor. The colors include black, white, gold, and silver.

Mounting accessories and a user manual with instructions to assemble the clothing line come included with the package.

It also makes for a nice gifting option for housewarming ceremonies or other occasions like birthdays and Christmas holidays.

Best Plastic Clothesline Rope: Whitmore Plastic Clothesline Rope

Whitmore Plastic Clothesline Rope Review

Whitmore comes with more than 7 decades of experience in manufacturing smart products to make home organization easy, fun, effortless, and aesthetically appealing.

It is a 4th generation family-owned and operated business that has been in business since 1946.

The clothesline is just one of the household products designed to make your home chores easier and more manageable.

This 100-foot clothesline is made with durable plastic for resistance to outside weather conditions.

Featured Specs:

  • Type: non-retractable plastic rope
  • Weight: 11.5 ounces
  • Size: 7.5 x 10 x 2 inches
  • Material: Durable plastic

Pros:

  • It is made of plastic yet durable.
  • It is a comparatively inexpensive option.
  • You can use it indoors as well as outdoors.
  • It has a low-stretch core.
  • It is resistant to weather.
  • Exemplary customer service.
  • It has a length of 100 feet, so great for big spaces or for hanging plenty of laundry.
  • You can hang heavy clothes like jeans and towels without any worry of sagging.

Cons:

  • This plastic clothesline rope is maybe a little too thin. So it may stretch out a bit.

Additional Features:

This clothesline is nice and long and a great option for hanging clothes to dry, particularly during summer. Being super long, it is easy to hang it up almost anywhere.

You can take it for your camping or beach trips to hang your clothes to dry. You will love the way all your clothes smell fresh off the line using Whitmore plastic clothesline!

Best Cotton Clothesline Rope: SGT KNOTS Cotton Clothesline Rope

SGT KNOTS Cotton Clothesline Rope Review

Cotton is one of the best materials for a clothesline. What you get when you buy a cotton clothesline is an eco-friendly and inexpensive option.

For a proper clothesline, what you want is an appropriate thickness. With this clothesline, you get a thickness of ¼ inch, which is rather impressive for a cotton rope.

This clothesline is constructed with braided cotton strands. Clothesline rope knot provides maximum strength and stability despite putting up heavy loads.

The outer layer is made of cotton, but beneath the cotton, the sheath is a synthetic inner core. This inner core will not degrade with time or use.

Featured Specs

  • Type: non-retractable cotton rope
  • Weight: 14 ounces
  • Size: 11.69 x 3.9 x 3.78 inches
  • Material: 100% all-natural Cotton

Pros:

  • You have the option to choose between 50 feet or 100 feet ropes.
  • The clothesline is resistant to stretch, ageing and distortion. It does not sag either.
  • It is moisture-resistant.
  • Easy to hang and use.
  • The solid braid construction provides additional protection from abrasion and extreme weather.

Cons:

  • It may stretch just a tiny bit, but tightening it again is not a tough job.

Additional Features:

Made from 100% all-natural super soft cotton, this clothesline is easy to hang in your backyard, while camping, and much more.

If you want to put up heavy loads, the interwoven cotton fibers will lock tightly into place underweight, similar to a Chinese finger trap.

This not only lends strength and stability but also provides extra safety and protection from abrasion and harsh weather conditions.

The synthetic inner core beneath the cotton sheath will not degenerate or lose strength over some time. This is a high-quality clothesline with great value for money and does not sag or stretch.

Plus, it is water-resistant and white in color.

Best Heavy Duty Clothes Line Rope: Strata Clothesline Kit

Strata Clothesline Kit Review

If you are a big family, having a lengthy clothing line is a significant plus.

Because the clothes can pile up rather quickly, and just as you finish one load, there is another one waiting to be washed and dried.

For those heavy towels, wet jeans, bulky bedspreads, and sheets, a heavy-duty clothesline is an excellent option because it is sturdy and can hold heavy stuff without sagging.

This heavy-duty clothesline rope will save you time and energy. Plus, it saves on electricity too.

Featured Specs

  • Type: Heavy Duty Clothesline
  • Weight: 4.4 pounds
  • Size: 13 x 9 x 8 inches
  • Material: Galvanized steel cable and PVC coating

Pros:

  • This is an eco-friendly and energy-saving option, which greatly reduces electricity bills.
  • Your laundry will smell light, fresh and your clothes will last longer as the colors don’t fade on these lines.
  • This is a 150’ super heavy-duty clothesline. So, clothes piled up over the entire week can be washed in one go and put up on this line to dry.
  • Being a heavy-duty material, it is sturdy, durable, and long-lasting.

Cons:

  • Although this product has to be installed, it does not come with a proper instruction manual. So, it may be difficult for few users to put it together.
  • Some Strata clothesline rope reviews on Amazon indicate that the package arrived with few pieces missing.

Additional Features:

This is a super durable complete kit that comes with everything you need to install and use your clothesline to hang your clothes out to dry.

Included in the pack are 2 x 6.5″ metal pulleys with ball bearings, a metal mini winch, a metal spacer with plastic wheels, and 2 metal hooks.

This clothesline is rustproof, so you don’t have to worry about rust soiling your previous clothes.

Clothesline Rope FAQ

1. How strong is clothesline rope?

clothing ropes

The material which the clothesline rope is made determines how strong and sturdy it will be.

Typically, a clothesline is made with one of the following materials: Plastic, Multifilament polypropylene (nylon), and basic cotton.

You may be tempted by the strength, water resistance, and lightweight Nylon clothesline rope. But it doesn’t tie well. Also, it is slippery, so your clothes may end up slipping all the time.

Plastic with wire or fiber enhancement is a stretch-resistant and inexpensive option. It is rather thin, so you may find it tough to grip. The laundry may not hold on as tightly as on a thicker rope.

Cotton is a great option. While it may not be that strong, hanging out clothes should be fine.

The ideal material of the clothesline rope is poly core. Polycore gives great strength and durability to the rope.

It will not snap or give in suddenly when you hang out tons of laundry but remain firm and straight. A sagging clothesline cord is the last thing you want to deal with after doing all that laundry chore!

Why does my clothesline sag?

A clothesline will sag some even if it has no weight on it. This is because the clothesline has a finite mass. The tension in the line must have an upward component to oppose the downward pull of gravitational force.

Add heavy wet clothes to the equation, and the clothesline will sag even more. On average, a load of wash uses up 35 feet of line.

So, your rope should be at least this long. While it is okay if the line is a bit longer than that, if it is a lot longer, the clothesline tends to sag.

So while an extended clothesline of around 100 feet is great, ensure that the build quality and the material it is made of is top-quality.

Otherwise, you may have to deal with a sagging clothesline and your freshly washed clothes strewn all over the floor!

How much weight can a retractable clothesline hold?

retracting clothesline

A retractable clothesline has the advantage of being a nice space-saving option. You can stow it away when not in use and pull as much length of rope as needed to dry your laundry.

Typically, a retractable clothesline can hold anywhere between 30 to 40 pounds of load.

How do you install a clothesline tightener?

A clothesline can stretch and sag after many uses. The result? You best, just cleaned clothes may and upon the ground.

To prevent this, a clothesline tightener is your best bet. Not only is it inexpensive, but it is also easy and takes only minutes to install.

Follow the steps outlined below to install a clothesline tightener:

  • Take one end of the clothesline and tie it to the hooked end of the clothesline tightener. Ensure that the knots are secured tightly.
  • The other end of the clothesline should be run around the pulleys and brought back to the clothesline tightener.
  • Now push the cap down on the other end of the tightener and insert the loose end of the clothesline. Then, pull it through the other end.
  • Keep pulling till the clothesline is secured as tightly as you require it.
  • Finish by cutting off the excess rope. When you cut the excess rope, leave 12 inches if you want to tighten further in the future as you encounter more sagging of your clothesline.

How do you tighten a retractable clothesline?

how to tight rectractable clothesline

To prevent sagging and stretching of retractable clothesline with use, follow the steps outlined below to tighten it.

  • Reposition the clothesline over the T-post. Or position it around the hook or through the eye.
  • Pull your clothesline as tight as it is possible for you. Once you have pulled it tightly, tie it again at the connecting wire.
  • Now you can untie your sagging clothesline from the T-post, hook, or eye.

Conclusion

People are once again taking to using clotheslines to dry their clothes. They are back in fashion, as they well should be!

It is great money and energy-saving option and will leave your clothes smelling fresh and wonderful. There are several factors you must consider before choosing a clothesline.

The first and obvious one is the weight capacity: how much weight your rope can handle. A retractable clothesline is good for that heavy stuff like towels, blankets, and jeans.

A clothesline with a double-line design is a good option as you can hang clothes on two extendable lines.

The material from which the clothesline is made is a crucial factor. Cotton, Nylon, and plastic are some commonly used materials.

Clotheslines made with high-quality materials are durable and go the distance. Look for ones that are water-resistant and not prone to wear and tear.

Weigh the pros and cons of each before choosing one. Ease of installation, portability, and versatility to set them indoors and outdoors is preferred.

Clotheslines that include accessories are always an advantage. Suppose your clothesline comes with pegs, nothing better as it helps to hold your clothes when the winds try to wreak havoc. Plus, a clothesline with a lock option is beneficial because it provides safety and stability by holding the line in place. It ensures the line does not sag or break when you hang heavy wet clothes.

Additionally, the price, design aspects, ease of cleaning, the thickness of the clothesline, etc., all matter.

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About Emma

Hey there! I'm Emma. When I'm not wrangling kids I like to walk aimlessly around hardware stores and watch HGTV for hours on end.

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