The Ultimate Guide to the Best Clothes Airers in Australia
Airing your clothes is a cost-effective and sustainable option for drying clothes.
With so many different types of clotheslines and clothes airer styles 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 clothes airer that best suits your needs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 outdoor space and laundry needs can be daunting.
Rest assured; the best clothes airer will align with your laundry requirements, capacity, line space limitations and ultimately drying clothes efficiently. Whether you opt for a retractable clothesline or 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.
Drying your clothes naturally outdoors is gentle on your garments and reduces shrinkage. 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 the sunniest 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, wall-mounted styles and retractable airers are ideal.
Spacious backyards suit rotary or fold down outdoor options, and a ground mount kit can provide more location flexibility for installation.
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 rotary clotheslines.
Types of Clothes Airers Available in Australia
Freestanding Clothes Airers
If you lack a vertical surface to attach a clothesline, a freestanding clothes horse or drying rack is ideal. With a freestanding clothes airer, you can follow the sun during the day to make the most of those free UV rays. One drawback is that not all drying racks are clothes peg friendly, which can limit outdoor drying if there is a stronger breeze or wind.
Wall-Mounted Fold Down
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 choices. Wall-mounted airers are one of the most 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 clotheslines are among the modern types of clotheslines that can be very convenient for dynamic living situations.
Portable Airers
Portable clotheslines offer great flexibility, especially if you need to move your drying solution indoors and outdoors due to weather changes. Their compact footprint makes them a great choice for smaller spaces or areas where you want to maximise space efficiency.
Portable clothes drying racks are among the most adaptable clothes airers and can be moved easily and set up wherever you have space.
Rotary Hoist
For ample drying space in a large backyard, rotary clotheslines are an excellent choice.
These clotheslines provide extensive line space and can be adjusted to suit different needs. Be prepared to dedicate a portion of your outdoor space to this option. Installation typically requires a more permanent setup, but the drying capacity is well worth it.
The drying racks, clothes airers and clotheslines featured in this section have been selected based on their popularity with our customers at The Clothesline Store.
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 metres and offers up to 40 metres of line space, accommodating households of up to 6 people.
It provides the flexibility to handle both large and small laundry loads.
Best Outdoor Fold Down Option
The Air Dry Fold Down — Wall or Ground Mounted Clothesline is made from durable galvanised steel, built to handle Australia's extreme temperatures and UV exposure. Available in various sizes, it accommodates up to 5 people and is large enough to handle king-sized sheets.
Its fold down design allows for easy storage and versatility, making it a great option for different backyard sizes.
One of the standout features of the Air Dry range is the made-to-order custom sizing option. If you have an unusual space or specific requirements, Air Dry fold down clotheslines can be custom manufactured to suit — from as compact as 1 metre all the way up to 3.3 metres in width. This makes Air Dry one of the most flexible clothesline brands in Australia, especially for awkward fence lines, narrow side passages, or larger-than-standard backyards.
Air Dry Drying Rack — 80cm
The Air Dry Drying Rack 80cm is a compact, freestanding drying solution built to the same quality standards as the full Air Dry clothesline range. At 80cm wide, it's perfectly suited to balconies, laundries, and indoor spaces where floor area is limited.
Constructed from galvanised steel for long-term durability, this drying rack provides a practical and sturdy option for 1 to 2 person households or as a handy secondary clothes airer for delicates and smaller items.
Air Dry Drying Rack — 100cm
The best Air Dry Drying Rack 100cm steps up the line space while remaining a practical freestanding option for a range of indoor and outdoor settings. At a metre wide, it's a solid choice for couples or small families who need a little more drying capacity without committing to a wall-mounted or permanent installation.
Like all Air Dry products, this drying rack is designed to withstand Australian conditions. Its no-fuss design closes flat against the wall for seamless and easy storage when not in use.
And if neither the 80cm nor 100cm standard sizes perfectly suit your space, remember that Air Dry's Fold Down Clothesline made-to-order range can be custom built to any width from 1 metre to 3.3 metres — contact us to discuss your requirements.
Best Internal Laundry Line
The Austral Indoor Outdoor Clothesline measures 1.26m wide by 0.6m deep, making it ideal for units and small spaces. Australian made and designed for 1 to 2 people. Maximise the line space by using clothes hangers for shirts, skirts and similar items to reduce drying time.
Its compact dimensions and quality construction make this model ideal as a secondary clothesline for added convenience.
Best Strata Clothesline
Brabantia 22m Indoor Retractable Clothesline. This indoor/outdoor space-saving retractable clothesline is brilliant when you don't have much room. Ideal for strata living, apartments, units and other indoor applications.
Compact in design with effortless one-hand pull-out action, this clothes airer is a joy to use.
Premium Outdoor Fold Down
The Hills Portable 170 features a fully weatherproofed design, constructed from the same durable material as its clothesline counterparts.
A tall frame standing 1.45m high, it accommodates multiple sheets and towels and folds flat for easy storage, complete with a door hanger. The Hills 170 drying rack supports up to 34kg of washing, making it one of the most capable portable clothes airers on the market.
Premium Outdoor Rotary
Hills Rotary Folding Clothesline is great for those with ample backyard space. 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 washing lines for extensive outdoor areas. The Hills rotary clothes airer offers a robust solution for drying clothes in large outdoor spaces.
Traditional Clothes Airer Benefits
A clothes airer is a fantastic option for those looking to save energy and reduce their reliance on a tumble dryer. This lightweight drying solution is perfect for providing ample drying space on laundry day, especially if you don't have room for a large tumble dryer.
The galvanised and powder-coated steel frames used across the drying rack range at The Clothesline Store ensure durability, while compact designs allow for easy storage when not in use. If you're dealing with a full load of laundry, a quality clothes airer offers plenty of space for towels and clothing to air dry naturally.
Choose a clothes airer with a clean, functional style that fits seamlessly into any laundry area — offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Your clothes airer remains an eco-friendly choice, reducing the need for a tumble dryer while still offering efficient drying space. Whether you need a little extra hanging space or a reliable drying rack for your daily wash, the right clothes airer delivers.
Maintenance and Care Tips for Your Clothes Airer
Cleaning and Upkeep Best Practices
Regular maintenance is essential to extend the lifespan of your clothes airer. 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 drying racks under shade to protect them from harsh weather.
Tips for Maximising Space and Efficiency
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Use clothes pegs to organise small items like socks and free up space on the airer.
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Leave adequate line space between garments to improve airflow and speed up drying.
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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 clothes airer involves considering your laundry needs and available space. Portable drying racks and clothes horses offer flexibility, wall-mounted options save floor space, and rotary clotheslines are perfect for large outdoor areas. For those with specific sizing requirements, Air Dry's made-to-order range — customisable from 1 metre to 3.3 metres — ensures there's a solution for every space. 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 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.
Free Delivery of Clotheslines
At The Clothesline Store, we guarantee the fastest dispatch to ensure the quickest delivery of clotheslines, by operating our own national clothesline warehouse. Don't take our word for it — check out our Google reviews!
As Australia's largest private stockholder of clotheslines and accessories, we ship in-stock items the same or next business day. Unlike other retailers who rely on third-party distributors, our dedicated team handles every order directly, ensuring speed and reliability.
With our extensive range of clotheslines stored in our own warehouse and national centres, we deliver faster and more consistently.
