Budget heated airer - are they worth it?

[queenrollo]

Because my central heating is run off a solid fuel Rayburn I don't have radiators to fall back on if the weather is rubbish.
Most stuff can go in the tumble drier but of all things, my son's school uniform can't! The shorts in particular are quite heavy cord style (but not actually pure cotton which is why I can't tumble them) so I am looking at possibly getting a heated airer.
I don't want to spend lots of money on one, but if the budget ones are actually naff then it will be waste to buy one.

Can anyone recommend one?

I have one and it's not much good. The bits of washing that touch the bars dry but not the rest. I sometimes lay things across it but mostly it resides in the garage.

I got a cheapo (£30) one from Family Bargains about 3 years ago and its great. Getting the right effect is all about how you hang stuff on it. I use it daily when I can’t use the outside line.

I have the heated aired deluxe from Lakeland's and really rate it.

We don't have a tumble dryer so use ours all year round

A full load of washing takes two days to dry in the winter or one day in the summer.

Ps: the cover helps to dry clothes quicker

I wish I'd bought the proper Lakeland one that looks like an upright square with a cover. Instead I went cheap ironing board style one at Argos and it's naff. Only dries bits of clothes in contact with bars. Cover is too airy to create enough warmth.

You definitely need a cover with any heated airer. A sheet will usually do the job but some have proper fitted covers

My dd has a small dehumidifier that she uses - hangs up all the clothes onto hangars and hook onto the airer, then places it in front of the dehumidifier. It lives in her spare bedroom. Cheap as chips to run.

We have the Lakeland one and it's amazing but you do need a cover (or use a sheet). Full load of washing dried overnight.

hmmm I shall think on this some more then. I really can't justify the Lakeland one as I have only a few items I need it for. In the winter I have woodburners going too and clothes dry overnight on an airer in the same room so I literally only need something to dry a handful of items when the summer weather is rubbish.

Howver having seen Soontobe60 post about the humidifier, we do have a small one so maybe I can utilise that. I shall put my thinking cap on.