Author Topic: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?  (Read 623 times)

Atash Hagmahani

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Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« on: August 10, 2009, 12:33:51 AM »
Costco has this one:

Polder Dry-4030-75 Collapsible Indoor/Outdoor Y Dryer, Stainless Steel

Personally, I am worried about where I will put it when not in use (our house is crowded). Maybe a wall-mounted unit like this one might work better:

Whitney Design Wall Mount Telescoping Indoor Drying Rack

Notice that the 2nd one is well-rated. Idea would be to put it into the bathroom, for drying small amounts of wet laundry, particularly hard-to-dry stuff like towels, or stuff that does not dry in a drier at all, like sweaters.

During the summer, we use clothes-lines to save electricity.

During the fall and winter rainy season, we have to use the drier. But, we could use it less, by air-drying a few items.
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Lady Lilya

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2009, 07:55:48 AM »
I had a washer but no drier for about 2 years. 

In the winter I still dried stuff on the outdoor line.  It took a lot longer.  If it snowed, i plucked the line like the string of a stringed instrument and the snow would fall off.  But if your winters are warmer, your snow would be too wet.

When it rained, I used a wooden rack.  I can't see being able to do that now, because of my 2 year old.  He would definitely not leave it alone.  These days I occasionally drape a wet item over the radiator or back of a chair, and he pulls it off and throws it on the floor. 
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Lady Lilya

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2009, 07:57:17 AM »
Have you heard of Versaline?  A bunch of my friends bought some cooperatively recently, directly from the manufacturer.  It mounts to one wall, and has retractable lines that are extended and hooked on the opposite wall. 

They might have some left, if you are interested.
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Beeherder

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2009, 10:44:08 AM »
Yes please, more information about cost, availability and any known price break points for volume purchases would be greatly appreciated. This sounds like the perfect halway hanging system for that halway just around the coner from the washer/dryer. I vent the dryer into the house so in winter it provides some humidity and indoor heat and did not want another hole in the wall for cold winter air to enter the lower level of the house. Using the dryer less just makes sense on so many levels it is hard to avoid it as an easy mini step in the right direction. Something that tucks out of the way when not in use seems best.

Wellspring

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2009, 07:46:38 AM »
ATASH:

Haven't much time to post here.  Hopefully, when things settle down, will have more time.

We've been using an indoor dryer for years and years.  Our first one made out of wood eventually broke down: the dowels are the week point after many years of use.  Then I searched on the net and bought the exact same one as your first link.  It's metal and costs more, but so far, it appears like it's going to last many more years than the wood one.  Often, we'll dry some loads, like towels, half way and then air dry them the rest.

Costco has this one:

Polder Dry-4030-75 Collapsible Indoor/Outdoor Y Dryer, Stainless Steel

Personally, I am worried about where I will put it when not in use (our house is crowded). Maybe a wall-mounted unit like this one might work better:

Whitney Design Wall Mount Telescoping Indoor Drying Rack

Notice that the 2nd one is well-rated. Idea would be to put it into the bathroom, for drying small amounts of wet laundry, particularly hard-to-dry stuff like towels, or stuff that does not dry in a drier at all, like sweaters.

During the summer, we use clothes-lines to save electricity.

During the fall and winter rainy season, we have to use the drier. But, we could use it less, by air-drying a few items.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2009, 07:48:36 AM by Wellspring »
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Atash Hagmahani

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2009, 10:01:32 AM »
Quote
Often, we'll dry some loads, like towels, half way and then air dry them the rest.

That was one of the things I was thinking too. You know how towels and cotton trousers often don't quite dry after everything else does? It gets expensive to run them again.

Plus, I think it would be handy to have, for (laugh)...drying herbs! You're supposed to air-dry herbs in the shade out of the wind. A clothes-drying rack would be perfect.
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Wellspring

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2009, 10:40:26 AM »
Ahhh . . .
Great idea for drying herbs.
Multi-purpose~
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Dame

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2009, 09:40:59 PM »
Ironing provides concentrated heat to finish drying line dryed clothes.  Seams, collars etc.  Not nearly as pricy as an electric dryer which has to heat the entire garment.

Beeherder

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2009, 04:35:56 AM »
So do you iron clothes after the cement finishing or before the garden rototilling (by hand of course)? I was happy to find an Average Joe who could show me something useful to do with that old electric appliance besides collect dust on the closet shelf. I bet if you stopped sudden like, your shadow would bump into you just from the surprise of you stopping. I have grown to like the wrinkled look much more than i ever liked ironing.
 :laughing002:

Dame

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2009, 10:06:22 AM »
I am fine with the wrinkled look as well.  The iron is used to get the last of the moisture out of line dryed clothes where needed so they do not mildew.  I am certainly not advocating pressing anything (yuck).  It can however get the laundry done and put away hours before finishing the drying on the line so the space is free for other activities.


Beeherder

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2009, 06:55:33 PM »
Oh yeah, i forgot about that high humidity thing. Here if the seams aren't dry yet you just hang them or even put them in a drawer and they will finish drying. Its hard to grow mildew when the daily low humidity is under 20% and under 10% in winter. I always marvel at how much work gets done when something else is waiting for that space/time/energy. I make the most progress on the To-Do list when there is something on it that i really don't like doing so it seems everything else gets done first just so i can avoid that whatever it is.

Lady Lilya

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2009, 08:47:29 PM »
I guess Versalines are more expensive than what you guys had in mind.

Here is a link to the 6-line one called Broadline.
http://www.versaline.com.au/shoppingcart/categories.php?category=Clotheslines/Broadline

My friend just listed her extra one on e-bay.  She wants $130 for it, including shipping. 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250498409442
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Atash Hagmahani

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2009, 10:29:39 PM »
OH, I know those. They are common in Oz because so many people live in apartments, and the climate tends to be relatively dry and sunny.

You know, I could probably build something like that. It might make sense to have something sturdy, but which can be folded away when not in use.
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opsec

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Re: Indoor clothes drying racks worthwhile?
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2009, 01:24:43 AM »
Two short sections of 2x4, a dozen small eye bolts, and 4 nails and you could build an equivalent device that can be removed and stored.
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