Drying Baby Clothes Made Easy for New Parents: Portable Clotheslines & Drying Racks

Babies generate a surprising amount of washing: clothes, wraps, bibs, towels and sometimes another load just after you have finished the first. A tumble dryer is useful, but a quiet place to air-dry clothes can make laundry easier to manage during naps and throughout the day.

Thats why the the clothes airer choice depends on the space you have. A portable clothesline gives you room for baby clothes alongside the family wash and can be moved to a suitable drying spot. A wall-mounted rack stays ready in the laundry without taking up any floor space - that is great once bubs is on the move!

First, Decide Where the Washing Will Dry

If you have an outdoor area, covered patio or ventilated indoor area, a freestanding portable clothesline can handle baby clothes as well as the rest of the wash. You can fold it away afterwards.

If the laundry floor is already crowded, a wall-mounted drying rack gives smaller loads their own place. It folds back against the wall when you have finished.  Plus you can have multi drying clothes airer installed - unlike portables - you aren't limited to one.

Whatever you choose, leave space between garments so air can move around them. Check each item's care label, and use a ventilated area when drying washing indoors.

Hills Portable 170: Baby Clothes and the Family Wash

The Hills Portable 170 has 10 lines and 17 metres of hanging space. That gives you room for baby clothes, towels and the rest of the household washing without relying on a small indoor rack for everything.

Its open frame measures approximately 2.4m long, 0.8m wide and 1.45m high. Measure where it will stand before ordering. This is a substantial portable clothesline, so it needs enough room when open even though it folds for storage.

On a fine day, the Hills 170 can be set up in a suitable outdoor spot. When the weather changes, it can be used indoors if you have room and ventilation. It folds when empty, and the included wall hook gives you a place to store it.

Choose the Hills 170 if: You want to move the clothesline between suitable locations and need capacity for more than a few baby garments.

Daytek A-Frame: More Lines for Consecutive Loads

The Daytek A-Frame Portable Clothesline offers 14 lines and 22 metres of hanging space. The extra lines are useful when baby washing is followed by sheets, towels or another family load.

It is freestanding and folds for storage. Its A-frame layout differs from the longer Hills 170, so compare both open footprints against the spot where you will use the clothesline. More line space helps only if you can open the frame and get to the washing comfortably.

Choose the Daytek A-Frame if: You need the most hanging space of the four options in this guide and have a suitable place for its open frame.

Urbanite Living 80cm: A Place for Small Baby Loads

The Urbanite Living 80cm wall-mounted drying rack gives you 3.8 metres of hanging space without leaving a freestanding airer on the laundry floor. It works well for bibs, baby clothes and smaller loads between bigger washing days.

The rack folds back against the wall when empty. The 80cm width suits a smaller suitable wall, provided there is enough room to open and reach it. Urbanite Living specifies indoor or covered outdoor use.

Choose the 80cm rack if: You want a regular drying spot but wall width and floor space are limited.

Urbanite Living 100cm: More Space, Still Off the Floor

The Urbanite Living 100cm wall-mounted drying rack5.7 metres of hanging space. It is useful if the 80cm rack would fill too quickly and you have a wider suitable wall.

A wall-mounted rack can stay ready in the laundry for the next small load. Once the washing is dry, fold it away. Check its open depth as well as wall width so it will not obstruct a door or cupboard.

Choose the 100cm rack if: You want more wall-mounted hanging space for regular baby and household washing.

Great Options to Easily Dry Your Washing

There are several family loads to dry: Start with a portable line. Hills Portable 170 offers 17 metres of hanging space and Daytek A-Frame offers 22 metres.

You need to move the washing: A portable clothesline can be placed in different suitable drying locations and folded for storage.

The laundry floor needs to stay clear: Choose a wall-mounted Urbanite Living clothes airer. The 80cm version provides 3.8 metres of hanging space; the 100cm version provides 5.7 metres.

You already have an outdoor line: A wall mounted clothes drying rack can give you a second drying spot for baby garments, delicates or wet-weather washing.  No need to stop at one, when you can choose from a bundle pack.

Measure Before You Order

For a portable line, measure the full floor area it needs when open. Leave room to walk around it and reach the washing. Also check that it fits the place where you plan to store it folded.

For a wall-mounted rack, measure where you would like to install it. Laundries are not the only place for a clothes airer, patios, garages, hallways work well too . Check nearby doors and cupboards. If you are unsure whether the wall is suitable, ask before installing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Buy From The Clothesline Store?

Our team can help you choose a clothes airer that suits your home and laundry needs. Before you order, we can explain the benefits and any drawbacks of the size, hanging space and installation options you are considering.

As Australia's largest private stockholder of clotheslines and accessories, 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.

Find the Right Place for the Next Load

For a busy household with room for a freestanding line, compare the Hills Portable 170 and Daytek A-Frame. For a small laundry that needs to stay clear, compare the Urbanite Living 80cm and 100cm wall racks. A good drying setup should make the next load easier to handle in the home you have.