The Ultimate Guide to the Best Clothes Airers in Australia
Airing your clothes is a cost-effective and sustainable option for laundry drying.
With so many different types of clotheslines available on the market today, finding the perfect clothesline solution can seem overwhelming.
We've put together some handy tips to help you choose the best clothes airer for your needs.
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Importance of Selecting the Right Clothes Airer
Choosing the right clothes airer isn't always straightforward. With a plethora of sizes, designs, and features, selecting the perfect fit for your space and laundry needs can be daunting.
Rest assured, the best clothes airer will align with your laundry drying requirements, capacity, and space limitations. Whether you opt for a retractable clothesline or purchase a traditional model, make sure it completely fits your specific needs.
Benefits of Using a Clothes Airer in Australia's Climate
Australia’s hot and dry weather is ideal for air drying clothes. A clothes airer harnesses natural sunlight and airflow to speed up the drying process.
It’s gentle on your garments, meaning your delicate items won't be damaged.
Plus, the sun’s rays offer natural disinfection without the need for harsh chemicals. For example, using a sturdy retractable clothesline can effectively dry clothes even during sunny periods.
What to Consider When Choosing a Clothes Airer
When choosing a clothes airer, first think about whether you need an indoor or outdoor model based on your space. For smaller indoor areas, some wall-mounted styles and ceiling-mounted airers are ideal.
While spacious backyards suit rotary or fold-down outdoor options and the choice of using a ground mount kit can provide more locations to install the line.
Make sure to pick a clothesline made from durable materials like galvanised steel to handle Australia’s harsh climate, including extreme temperatures and UV rays.
Consider the design and aesthetics to match your home’s style, whether you prefer modern retractable models or classic designs.
Your choice should align with your household size and laundry needs—compact models for smaller homes and larger rotary or wall-mounted options for bigger families.
Finally, evaluate your budget to find the right balance between cost and quality, with options ranging from affordable portable models to premium choices like Hills hoists.
Types of Clothes Airers Available in Australia
Freestanding Airers
If you lack a vertical surface to attach clotheslines, a freestanding airer is ideal.
They offer easy storage and flexibility and take little to no space, freestanding airers are particularly versatile for various indoor and outdoor settings.
With a freestanding airer you can follow the sun during the day to make the most of those free uv rays. One draw back they are not always clothes peg friendly, placing limitations on outdoor drying if there is a stronger breeze or windy.
Wall-Mounted Folding Frame
Space-Saving Solutions - Wall-mounted airers are perfect for utilising vertical space in areas with limited room. They come in various capacities and colours, making them a versatile option for different needs.
If you’re dealing with tight spaces, these are often the best choice. Wall-mounted airers are one of the popular types of clotheslines for small or crowded spaces. Installation is straightforward and doesn't require extensive setup.
Retractable Lines
Retractable clotheslines are a smart solution for those who need to save space. Their design allows you to extend and retract the lines as needed, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
They offer flexibility and ease of use, with models available in various lengths and styles. Retractable clothes lines are among the modern types of clotheslines that can be very convenient for dynamic living situations.
Their compact nature makes them a great choice for smaller spaces or areas where you want to maximise space efficiency.
Rotary Hoist
For ample drying space in a large backyard, rotary clotheslines are an excellent choice.
These clothesline provide extensive line space and can be adjusted to suit different needs. Be prepared to dedicate a portion of your outdoor space for this option.
Rotary hoist airers represent one of the larger types of clotheslines suited for spacious environments. Installation typically requires a more permanent setup, but the drying capacity is well worth it.
Portable Airers
Portable clotheslines offer great flexibility, especially if you need to move your drying solution between indoors and outdoors due to weather changes.
They are ideal for those who require easy storage and quick setup but typically offer limited drying capacity.
Portable airers are among the most adaptable types of clotheslines available, suitable for a variety of needs. They can be moved easily and set up wherever you have a bit of space.
The Best Clothes Airers
The airers and clotheslines featured in this section have been selected based on their popularity rates from our customers at our shop, The Clothesline Store.
Best Indoor Airer: Ceiling Mounted
The Kitchen Maid ceiling-mounted airers are ideal for indoor use, especially in rooms with limited floor space. They provide efficient use of limited space, and are perfect for compact rooms where ground space is at a premium. Ceiling-mounted airers are one of the effective types of clotheslines for indoor environments.
The installation of a ceiling-mounted airer ensures that your drying area is utilised fully.
Best Retractable
The Austral Retractaway 40 is perfect for families needing a versatile, space-efficient clothesline. This Australian-made model extends to a length of 8 meters and offers up to 40 meters of line space, accommodating households of up to 6 people.
It provides the flexibility to handle both large and small laundry loads.
Best Outdoor Folding Frame Option
The Air Dry Folding Frame Wall or Ground Mounted Clothesline is made from durable materials like galvanised steel, suitable for Australia's extreme temperatures. Available in various sizes, it accommodates up to 5 people and is large enough to handle king-sized sheets.
This is one of the best types of clotheslines for outdoor use. Its folding frame allows for easy storage and versatility, making it a great option for different backyard sizes.
Best Internal Laundry Line
Best Strata Clothesline
Brabantia 22m Indoor Retractable Clothesline. The indoor/outdoor space saving retractable clothes line is brilliant when you don't have much space! Ideal for strata living, apartments, units and other indoor use.
Compact in design with effortless one hand pull out action this line is a joy to use.
Premium Outdoor Folding Frame
The Hills Portable 170 This clothes airer features a fully weatherproofed design, constructed from the same durable material as its clothesline counterparts.
With a tall frame standing 1.45m high, it accommodates multiple sheets and towels and folds flat for easy storage, complete with a door hanger. It supports up to 34kg of washing.
Premium Outdoor Rotary
Hills Rotary Folding Clothesline is great for those with ample backyard space, the Hills rotary airer is an excellent option. It features adjustable lines and is designed to withstand various weather conditions, making laundry time easier and more efficient.
Rotary clotheslines are some of the most effective types of clotheslines for extensive outdoor areas. The Hills rotary airer offers a robust solution for drying clothes in large outdoor spaces.
Premium Outdoor Fixed Head
The Hills Heritage Hoist is built to accommodate up to 6 people with its robust structure. It’s designed to handle different weather conditions without compromising its integrity, making it a reliable choice to hang laundry on for large households.
This model is a top-tier option among the types of clotheslines for large families. Its sturdy build ensures that it can withstand strong winds and heavy rain.
Budget Friendly
The Hills Everyday Clothesline offers excellent cost-quality balance. With a 10-year warranty and 21 meters of space, it’s ideal for families. The durable, powder-coated steel construction folds easily for storage.
This affordable range provides a practical solution for efficient clothes drying.
Maintenance and Care Tips for Your Clothes Airer
Cleaning and Upkeep Best Practices
To extend the lifespan of your clothes airer, regular maintenance is essential. Use a damp cloth to clean surfaces and remove dust and grime. Inspect metal parts for rust and corrosion, and follow the manufacturer's care instructions.
Protecting Your Airer from Weather Elements
Although outdoor airers are built to withstand the elements, proper protection can prolong their lifespan. Cover your airer when not in use and position portable clotheslines under shade to protect them from harsh weather.
Tips for Maximising Space and Efficiency
- Use clothes pegs to organise small items like socks and free up space on the airer.
- Leave adequate space between garments to improve airflow and speed up drying.
- Utilise the high spin setting on your washing machine to reduce excess water, which aids quicker air drying.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Choosing not to use your clothes dryer for each load of washing saves over 3kg of carbon emissions
- Reduced energy consumption, leading to lower electricity bills.
- Natural disinfection from the sun’s UV rays, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals.
- Less damage to clothing from tumbling and high temperatures.
- Embrace eco-friendly options and feel good about contributing to a greener environment.
Conclusion
Choosing the best portable clothesline or airer involves considering your laundry needs and available space. Portable clotheslines offer flexibility, wall-mounted options save floor space, and rotary clotheslines are perfect for large outdoor areas. Evaluate your space and budget to find the best solution for you.
Looking for the best clothes airer? At The Clothesline Store, we offer a wide range of brands of high-quality clotheslines to suit every need. Whether you need a new clothesline for indoor use or a robust outdoor model, we have the perfect solution for you.
