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Best Product: Retractable Indoor Clotheslines

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Visiting the parents a few weeks ago in Florida, we had the pleasure of using a retractable clothesline in our bathroom (see pic above). Simple in design and able to disappear in a jiffy, we thought this remained a great way to dry clothes with needing bulky drying racks....

 
 

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One side has a strong nylon cord with a button which pulls out of the housing and can be pulled across and attached to the plate opposite. Regular reach is about 8' and the cord tension is strong enough to hang heavy, wet clothes.

On arriving home, we did some searching online in order to roundup a bunch of sources for home shoppers. Here is a list of what we found:

Polished Chrome for $35
Clothesline Shop for $23
Lehign (plastic) for $7
Franklin Brass for $21
Whitey Design for $23

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bathroom, organizing, tools & electrical helpers, best products

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Comments (15)

I've seen and used these in many hotels and have always wanted one but still don't understand exactly how to go about installing one in my shower without destroying the tile. Does anyone have any suggestions?

posted by thepeoplescortney on March 24th 2008 at 7:55am
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Perfect! I need this now.

posted by G-Lauren on March 24th 2008 at 7:56am
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Yes, these are fantastic when traveling. I have shower curtains in my bathroom, and just put the clothes on the hangers and hang from the curtain rod.

posted by showing on March 24th 2008 at 8:20am
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I'd love to know if someone owns a durable one that keeps its snap and would hold up outdoors. I want to dry clothes on my porch but not look at a clothesline when it's not in use.

posted by farmhousemoderne on March 24th 2008 at 8:20am
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"I've seen and used these in many hotels and have always wanted one but still don't understand exactly how to go about installing one in my shower without destroying the tile. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

There's a whole other thread from a week or so ago about mounting towel racks on tile - You'll want to do a search...

posted by bepsf on March 24th 2008 at 8:26am
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Cortney, There are specially designed drill bits for ceramic tile. The trick with using them is to place masking tape over the area where you will be drilling through. This gives the drillbit a slip-free surface to start your hole.

A few years ago, Ikea used to sell a stainless retractable model with multiple lines. It was a beautiful design. I wish I had gotten it while I had the chance.

posted by Comicgeek on March 24th 2008 at 8:33am
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Maxwell did a great demo of drilling into tile!

posted by steph309 on March 24th 2008 at 9:10am
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The movie Final Destination turned me off of these looong ago...

lol...

posted by jamilkb on March 24th 2008 at 9:17am
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I guess I didn't realize how lucky I am. One of these came installed in the bathroom of every apt. in the building. I use it all the time.

posted by anne on March 24th 2008 at 9:24am
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my old apartment had one installed. i had no idea what it was and thought it was an old fixture they never removed. as it was above the tile line, next to the shower head...

one day after curiously messing with it. i realized there was a line and a hook and then i was super excited.

i used it very often after that, instead of resting my shirts flat on the dining table...

posted by Jamie on March 24th 2008 at 9:59am
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I have two extra adjustable-tension shower curtain rods from where I moved before. I just put them up in the bathroom, turn on a small fan and use them as drying racks. When the laundry is dry, they store vertically in my utility closet easily.

posted by peardown on March 24th 2008 at 10:45am
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can these be used outside? i need to look into this and then i can get rid of my drying rack!

posted by Joan in SB on March 24th 2008 at 5:21pm
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I had never seen one of these until last Friday when I went to stay at a hotel. I thought it was a bell that didn't work until my friend pointed out how stupid I was for not knowing what it was. Became very handy for drying our swim wear on. :D

posted by venus_thames on March 24th 2008 at 7:19pm
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Does anyone know where to get this in NYC? Thx

posted by skny0104 on March 24th 2008 at 10:31pm
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My bad for not reading through - but is there any place that I can buy in NY (vs online)

posted by skny0104 on March 24th 2008 at 10:33pm
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