Clothes Airer vs. Clothesline: Which is Right for Your Home?

When it comes to drying clothes at home, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you live in an apartment or a home with a spacious backyard, choosing between an indoor clothes airer and an outdoor clothesline can be a real head-scratcher. Each offers its own set of benefits, so how do you know which is right for your lifestyle?

Let’s break it down so you can explore the different options available and find one that suits your space, laundry habits, and home.

Understanding the Basics: Clothes Airer vs. Clothesline

A clothes airer is a lightweight, portable rack used for drying clothes indoors. Foldable or tiered in design, airers are easy to move and pack away, ideal for rainy days, limited drying space, compact homes, or anyone without outdoor space. Clothes airers provide excellent portability and space-saving convenience.

A clothesline, on the other hand, is a more permanent fixture. Installed outside or on a balcony, it offers more drying space and lets you take advantage of natural sunshine and airflow. Hills clotheslines are made from durable materials to withstand the elements and provide faster drying outdoors.

Advantages of Using a Clothes Airer

If you live in a small space or need a solution that works rain, hail or shine, an indoor clothes airer is your go-to.

• Weather-proof drying – No need to check the forecast. Airers work year-round, allowing your clothes to dry indoors regardless of outdoor conditions.
• Foldable and space-smart – Many airers collapse for easy storage or roll into position, perfect for small spaces. The 10m Wide Top Concertina Airer and 27m Extendable Winged Airer are ideal for space saving.
• Gentler on garments – Airers allow for flat drying, which can help reduce stretching or wear on delicates.

Airers are especially handy for households that do smaller, more frequent loads and want the flexibility to dry items in different rooms or at different times of day.

Benefits of Using a Fixed Clothesline

Nothing beats that fresh, air-dried scent from a load of laundry that’s hung in the sun. Clotheslines are a tried-and-true Aussie tradition and for good reason.

• Energy efficient – Drying clothes outdoors is 100% power-free
• Large capacity – Great for bigger households or larger items like sheets and towels.
• Durable and reliable – With the traditional Hills Hoist, retractable clothesline options, and wall-mounted folding frame models, there’s a fit for almost any backyard or balcony.
• Made to last - Fixed clotheslines are designed to stand the test of time, even in the harshest of summers, and they are made to endure the weather, complete with UV protection.

If you’ve got the outdoor space, a clothesline is the ultimate solution - it can save you time, power, and even extend the life of your clothes by avoiding heat-based drying.

How to Choose Between a Clothes Airer and a Clothesline for Your Home

Your ideal drying setup depends on a few key things:

• Consider your space: Tight on room outdoors? Go for a clothes airer. Got a spacious backyard? A fixed clothesline might be perfect.
• Weather considerations: If your region sees a lot of rain or humidity, an indoor airer is a reliable backup even if you already have a clothesline.
• Usage and capacity: For quick loads or daily washing, airers offer convenience. For weekly laundry days or big family loads, clotheslines give you the capacity you need.

Combining Both: Can You Have the Best of Both Worlds?

For ultimate flexibility, a portable clothesline offers the best of both worlds. Designed to handle the elements outside with durable materials, it’s also light enough to bring inside when needed, perfect for renters or anyone without space for a permanent fixture. 

For even more versatility, the Indoor Outdoor Airer is a clever option. Its folding wings and narrower frame make it easy to move indoors even when it is fully loaded. It’s a smart choice for your balcony, courtyard, or home where space is at a premium. 

Both clothes airers and clotheslines have their place in the home. Airers offer portability, indoor convenience and flexibility, while clotheslines deliver unbeatable outdoor freshness, ample drying space, and faster drying for bigger loads.

Think about your space, climate and laundry routine, and choose the solution, or combination, that best fits your lifestyle.

Looking to upgrade your laundry setup? Explore our range of quality indoor clothes airers and clotheslines, designed to suit every kind of home.