Sheilamaid/ceiling airer

[Trufflepuffpuff]

Our dryer has packed up and instead of replacing it I'm thinking of getting a Sheila/Pulleymaid ceiling airer to fit above the stairs up to our loft.

Does anyone have one of these and have any advice? I'm somewhat paranoid about it being too heavy for the ceiling - I spoke to a handyman who said it's just a case of fitting it into the beams.

Any tips welcome before I order! I'm thinking of going for the larger version with six bars.

I have one from Pulleymaid, the 5 bar “modern style” one. Very happy with it.

However 1) it definitely doesn’t replace a tumble dryer. There’s no way I could get a full load on it. Admittedly my washing machine is 11kg so my loads are huge but I don’t think I could even get a half load on. I also couldn’t use it for bedlinen, it’s just not wide enough to fit a double duvet cover or sheet. You’d need two really if you want to ditch the dryer, or accept doing multiple smaller loads.

I mainly use it for delicates that can’t be tumble dried and shirts and school uniform (hung up to avoid ironing them). Also useful for hanging up wet coats in the winter.

2. Will you have somewhere safe to stand while loading it - ie can you hang it above a landing not above the staircase?

3. You will need an extractor fan or opening window somewhere nearby to let the moisture out, or you’ll get condensation and damp.

Totally safe as long as the pulleys are screwed into joists. Also you will need the wall cleat (which the rope winds round) to be screwed into a solid brick/concrete wall or a stud in a stud wall - not plasterboard.

Hmm, my Sheilamaid could fit a 9.5kg load of laundry on, easily. It could also easily fit a full king size set (not at the same time).

I didn't have a tumble dryer then and it worked great for me BUT I did run a dehumidfier with laundry function in that room. I would have it again, instead of a tumble dryer - in fact I will in my next house!

I'm a big fan of the Sheila Maid. I have mine directly over my ironing board and use it sometimes for drying and always for airing after ironing. No more using racks which take up room and look awful.

I bought my house because it has one.
I can fit a whole load of washing on it. I've even hung sofa covers on it.