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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Heated Airer

42 replies

theboxofdelights · 22/09/2018 07:57

I am sure this must have been done before and have searched but can't find a comparison between the Lakeland one (£120) and the Aldi one (£30).

I have calculated that the Aldi one has got 13.4m of drying space whereas I would get the three tier Lakeland one with 21m of drying space so I would buy two of the Aldi ones (still half the cost).

What shall I buy? Are the Lakeland ones really worth £120? Is there anything else out there to consider?

Also, does the Lakeland one actually dry properly on every level? I can't get my head around how effective it will be with a very long legged trouser on one of the middle rails interfering with the level below.

OP posts:
Original poster
theboxofdelights · 22/09/2018 11:45

Bumping - I know it isn’t terribly exciting! Some of the reviews say the Lakeland one feels flimsy? Does anyone agree with that?

I do have room for two if necessary.

OP posts:
Yvaine1 · 22/09/2018 14:11

I have a Lakeland 3 tier with cover. Works pretty well and it flimsy at all.unless you want to kick it around....
No idea about the Aldi one but I would be sceptical just on the price.

Notapinkgirl · 22/09/2018 14:14

My Lakeland one is great, I’ve had it quite a while now too.

Original poster
theboxofdelights · 22/09/2018 16:26

Thanks - reviews on Amazon say it is flimsy (with photos of broken parts). I was going to buy it on prime with next day delivery. I just need to make sure the 3 year warranty stands if not bought directly.

OP posts:
TheMendedDrum · 22/09/2018 16:28

It's one of my all time top purchases. I love it.

MissMarplesKnitting · 22/09/2018 16:29

My Lakeland one is onto year 7 and still perfect.

They're fab.

squirrelnut · 22/09/2018 16:31

I have the Lakeland one too (no cover) and I love it!

MyShinyThing · 22/09/2018 16:36

I bought the Aldi one this morning. It's currently drying it's first load! It is a bit flimsy but is holding up okay under a full load which includes some jeans & heavy jumpers. I can see steam coming off so it's definitely doing something!

I'll update you later & let you know how everything dried if you like?

Original poster
theboxofdelights · 22/09/2018 20:44

Yes please update MyShinyThing. There are so many mixed reviews that I can’t decide whether to take the plunge or not.

I am now even considering a kitchen maid! Have always had one in my houses but not here. I have got really high ceilings so drying bedding etc wouldn’t be an issue. Amazingly with the brackets they cost more than a Lakeland heated airer but at least I know it will last for as long as I live here.

OP posts:
MyShinyThing · 22/09/2018 21:05

So far it really only seems to dry the bits it's in contact with. I've ended up folding things & laying them flat rather than hanging them.

I think it's probably better than a standard airer so will keep using it but will probably hang heavier things on the radiators once we've got the heating on. If it speeds up drying even a little bit I think it's probably worth the £30. It's probably put me off buying one of the expensive ones though as I'm not sure how they'd be any different.

I've always fancied a clothes maid, somehow they make hanging washing seem more appealing Grin. We haven't got the space for one though unfortunately.

ImaMonet · 22/09/2018 21:09

I’ve just ordered a Lakeland one today... I’m so excited about it it’s embarrasing! I’m hoping it lives up to the hype!

NoProbLlama78 · 22/09/2018 21:09

I love mine it was about £25 from amazon two years ago. I'd get the Aldi one just because it's cheaper. I have a normal airer and air everything on that then fold them and put them on the heated one.

MissMarplesKnitting · 22/09/2018 21:51

I chuck an old king-size duvet cover over mine (split the bottom section) and it dries two 7kg loads overnight. I'm luck in that I have an outhouse I can ventilate with the airer in. Works a treat.

gaggiagirl · 22/09/2018 21:57

I have the Lakeland three tier. It was less than £60 from Lakeland outlet on ebay I think it was a refurb. It's worked well for us.

lightonthewater · 23/09/2018 08:16

Do they not fill the house with condensation though?

MissMarplesKnitting · 23/09/2018 08:26

@lightonthewater you just have to ventilate. I have a hallway that's separate bto rest of the house. The windows are left on locked vent, and there's never condensation.

mrsoutnumbered · 23/09/2018 08:27

I recently replaced my Lakeland airer - the first one lasted 7 years!

Original poster
theboxofdelights · 23/09/2018 08:29

I always have a window open a bit, even in the room with the normal clothes airer in it.

I know I should probably get over aesthetics but I early don’t want the cover for the airer. It reminds me of a toilet tent!

It would be in a spare bedroom with an en-suite so three windows to crack open if necessary but I am wavering this morning. Even on Lakeland the reviews are mixed.

OP posts:
gaggiagirl · 23/09/2018 08:42

I drape a fitted sheet over mine and it really holds the heat in.

applesandpears33 · 23/09/2018 09:47

We have had our Lakeland one for about 8 or 9 years now. We have three kids and it is used most days between now and the end of April. I also use a dehumidifier to prevent condensation. We have it in a family room that is used by the kids every day. They like the heat it generates and I have switched off the radiator in that room because the drier keeps it warm enough.

mrsoutnumbered · 23/09/2018 10:27

@theboxofdelights the cover really does speed up the drying. It is worth it.

I have mine in my utility room with the door shut and the window open. In my old house I had it in my bedroom (again with door shut and window open).

Frazzled2207 · 23/09/2018 10:35

Putting something over it makes it work much better, otherwise it will only dry the bits it's in contact with. I use a big sheet or towel.

Mishappening · 23/09/2018 10:35

I have a Lakeland one - but not with a cover. And I use iot for things that need to lie flat - very good for that.

I also have an unheated one from amazon called Art Weger. They are such a brilliant design: www.amazon.co.uk/Artweger-Super-Maxi-Clothes-Rack/dp/B00VV7KLH8/ref=sr_1_19?keywords=artweger+clothes+dryer&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1537695162&sr=8-19
Instead of clothes dripping onto one another they are all free to the air. You can fold in the wings to make it smaller, and if you need to get past it, you can fold them in with clothes on them and then put them out again. It is such a brilliant piece of design. I use mine inside and out - it saves putting the line out and faffing with pegs.It is also at a comfortable height. I think it is brilliant - I love good design!

MrsMozart · 23/09/2018 10:42

Step-Ma, DDs, sister, all have the Lakeland one. It's brill.

I've offered to get DDs and Step-Ma a tumbledrier each but they're all happy with the drier.

I'm about to order the Lakeland one to live in a spare bedroom. We usually dry on radiators but recently put covers on them so can't any more.

Regarding 'flimsy'. The Lakeland ones aren't super robust to handle, but one's survived about three years of a student's life so can't be too bad!

feralcat19 · 23/09/2018 10:48

I’ve had the Lakeland one for donkeys years and it’s great. As others have said, use a big sheet or large duvet cover draped over it to keep the heat in. Don’t bother with the cover they sell.