With the unpredictable British weather, many of us prefer to dry our clothes indoors rather than risk hanging them outside. However, concerns were raised by medical experts last year over the risk that clothes draped on warm radiators can raise moisture levels in the home, creating ideal breeding conditions for mould spores.
Proper airers solve the problem. Whether you opt for a classic standing rack, a heated version or one that goes over a door or even over the bath, we put over 30 to the test to find the best.
WINNING CONCERTINA AIRER
Lakeland Deluxe Easy Up Concertina Indoor Clothes Airer
98/100
£47.99
Features: Drying space: 15m. Dimensions when closed: 59 x 82 x 8cm.
*Easy to open/close, with a sturdy design.
*Safety locks when open and a clip to secure for storing.
*Comes with a net laundry bag for washing delicates, which can also be stretched over airer bars to create flat drying area.
*8 anti-crease bars, which did lessen creases.
*4 corner hooks, which hangers comfortably sat in.
WINNING WINGED AIRER
Lakeland Deluxe Foldable Winged Airer
94/100
£39.99
Features: Features: Drying space: 13m. Dimensions when closed: 57 x 105 x 4.5cm.
*Very easy to use and sturdy in use.
*Adjustable wings, depending on length of washing.
*4 corner hooks for hangers and 6 pegs included.
*The 6 anti-crease bars helped but lines still mildly visible.
AND ALL THE REST...
Brabantia Hanging Drying Rack; 95/100; £28.75
Minky Over The Bath Airer; 94/100; £22.99
Minky Xtra Wing 24m Airer; 91/100; £32
Minky 3 Tier Plus Airer; 91/100; £29.99
Brabantia 23m Drying Rack; 91/100; £64
Minky X-WING 15m Indoor Airer; 90/100; £29.99
Brabantia 20m Drying Rack T Model; 88/100; £64
Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer; 87/100; £109.99
Minky Multi-Dryer 25m Extra Large Airer; 86/100; £34.99
Lakeland Traditional Concertina Indoor Clothes Airer; 86/100; £34.99
Dry:Soon Mini Deluxe 2 Tier Heated Airer; 85/100; £99.99
Minky 2 Tier Airer; 85/100; £22.99
Leifheit 81456 Tower Dryer 450; 83/100; £49.71
Leifheit Pegasus Tower 200; 83/100; £49
Leifheit Quartett; 81/100; £14.99
John Lewis Radiator Airer; 80/100; £10
Dry:Soon Winged Heated Airer; 80/100; £84.99
Leifheit Pegasus 120 Solid Compact; 79/100; £34.95
Vileda Premium 2 in 1 Indoor Table Dryer; 78/100; £29.99
Leifheit 340 Tower Dryer; 76/100; £29.78
Italian Design Wooden Clothes Airer; 75/100; £99.99
Leifheit Pegasus Maxx Clothes Airer; 75/100; £42.99
How we test airers:
With piles and piles of wet laundry, we get to work loading up the airers and assessing how stable they are and how capable of handling a load of laundry. We look at how easy they are to open and close, and whether they're compact for storage. If it's a heated airer, we assess speed of drying and note any crease lines – we also measure its electricity usage.
Should I buy a heated airer?
Whilst they certainly won’t replace your tumble dryer, heated airers can come in handy and will dry items more quickly than by just leaving on a regular clothes airer. We find that only clothes that come into direct contact with the heated bars tend to dry more quickly, so not ideal for draping larger items. It’s more effective when clothing is laid flat so that every part of the item is touching the bars but this does mean you’re left with very little space. It’s worthwhile placing all your items onto the airer and then draping a large bed sheet over the top to trap heat and dry items more efficiently. Whilst they claim to only cost around 4p an hour to run, they are quite pricey to buy (upwards of £85). Lakeland sells a range of Dry:Soon heated clothes airers of various sizes.
GHI tip
To minimise a build-up of dust mites or mould spores resulting from damp clothing, Allergy UK recommends drying your washing in a space closed off from the rest of the house, like a covered porch or garage. If drying in another room, keep windows wide open and the door closed.
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