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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Anyone got a Sheila maid-type airer?

18 replies

DaisymooSteiner · 08/06/2010 16:15

With 4 kids I always find it a bit of a pain to get things dry in the winter/wet weather. I don't particularly want to use the tumble dryer any more than I have to so have been considering a Sheila Maid airer. They're pretty expensive though. Are they worth the money? Is it a pain to fit them?

I'm also unsure about where to put it - we do have a laundry room, but it's in the furthermost corner of the house and I don't usually heat it in winter as I don't spend much time in there! Will my washing still dry? The other alternative is the kitchen which is always nice and toasty and I'm sure things would dry very quickly in there but it might look a bit aesthetically displeasing to see dh's boxers hanging from the ceiling! Also concerned about cooking smells on drying clothes....

TIA

OP posts:
iloveasylumseekers · 08/06/2010 16:20

What is it? An overhead airer (when I grew up in Scotland it was called a "pulley")?

If so, I love mine. It holds 2-3 full loads and is great. We are 2 adults 2 children and don't have a tumble drier.

The other place you could put it is over the bath.

lamplighter · 08/06/2010 16:22

I am getting one to put on the ceiling above my landing, the heat rises and it is out of the way of rooms that are used all the time.

When it is not in use it can be pulled right up close to the ceiling so it is out of the way. I am looking forward to getting rid of the clothes horses - one of which is a bastard and always collapses and traps my fingers.

Original poster
DaisymooSteiner · 09/06/2010 12:57

Yes, it's an overhead airer. Hmm, hadn't thought about putting above the landing. That would definitely be very warm!

How big is yours ILAS? 2-3 loads would be great!!

OP posts:
sunbeamsparkle · 09/06/2010 13:17

I've had one of these for 6 years and I love it! I've got it above the landing too and it works really well there - always warm air going up the stairs if the heating is on and well out of the way too.

It copes great with a family of four and we don't have a tumble drier. You can get a lot on it (three loads) if you are careful how you hang stuff - I put DH's shirts on hangers first and then they can be hung on the end of the airer and take up almost no space at all.

JillyWillyPops · 09/06/2010 13:22

You can get new ones pretty cheap on ebay, I was having a look at them yesterday and they were coming in at about £40-£50 which is not really that expensive compared to tumble dryer costs over the year.

Have a look here!

LIZS · 09/06/2010 13:28

We have one in the utility room which is warm enough with door closed. Friend has hers above her Aga and everything dries overnight, ours does take longer. Got ours from here which seemed cheaper than many.

TheCrackFox · 09/06/2010 13:30

I've got one in my hall way and I bloody love it.

(2 adults and 2 DCs and no tumble drier)

TBH it came with the house but if you are buying one it would pretty much pay for itself in a couple of months.

ninedragons · 09/06/2010 13:35

We have one in the bathroom and it's fab. I also drilled some holes over the bath, put in some cup hooks and string extra temporary lines there when we have got a bit behind on the laundry and need to catch up.

Ikea do a cheap but I have to say not terribly lovely one.

suitejudyblue · 09/06/2010 15:03

I'd love one of these but I know DH will mutter about how to attach it to the ceiling, how easy are they to install ?

LIZS · 09/06/2010 15:04

not tricky. dh reused existing holes but as long as you can locate suitable joists it's fine.

tootootired · 09/06/2010 15:13

I have one of these since the boys were in cotton nappies. It's the business. Bought from ebay, situated at dining end of kitchen above table and radiator. We have a tumble drier but hardly use it from one week to the next.

Drill some small holes in ceiling until you have found wooden joists, then fix up with good big screws. also find something solid to attach the cleat to, it takes a lot of strain.

I am not bothered about aesthetics, but have to remind DH not to hang my old bra's in full view of passers by! We also have a cheap sock-peg hanger on one end.

maidagencydubai · 23/07/2013 15:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

hollyisalovelyname · 28/07/2013 09:42

Ours was in the utility room when we bought the house. It just about takes 1 load of washing. I also have 3 of those winged airers- I think they are just as good

Seabright · 28/07/2013 17:03

I have one and love it. I also have a mini sock-peg hanger too, which came from Lakeland and is great. I have mine in the laundry room, which is in my basement. It's not heated, but the boiler is in there.

Saves me a bundle on wet days, as I don't have to use the dryer.

gobbin · 29/07/2013 09:57

My mum's is in the kitchen and my friend's gran's is in the back room (both terrace houses). Clearly installed many, many years ago but invaluable. Mum takes her washing down when cooking for obvious reasons but I envy her clothes rack!

ParsingFancy · 29/07/2013 10:00

ZOMBIE THREAD.

But pulleys are still good!

lovesherdogstoomuch · 29/07/2013 20:28

i love my 'pulley'. couldn't be without it. must admit got a man in to install as sadly hubby diy skills bit shaky. it does take a lot of strain. we're moving house soon so i'll have to leave this one but my new utility room is bigger and will take two!! JOY! ")

autumnsmum · 30/07/2013 07:52

Ive got one and I couldn't live without it there are five of us and its essential in winter

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