As the days get shorter and colder, one thing I struggle with every year is how to dry my laundry to avoid musty smells without having to deal with a cumbersome, ugly drying rack.
While I believe laundry dried outdoors always smells best, sometimes that's simply not possible. So, what's the next best alternative? While I know how to do laundry, drying clothes effectively during the colder months, when dealing with delicates that cannot go in the dryer for instance, is a different story.
Turning to indoor drying during winter is something we all have to do, and, as I don't have a dryer, this usually means an unsightly clothes rack into my space. While efficient, they often don't look great and are usually a nightmare to put away.
Enter: the Joseph Joseph Eclipse 3-tier Indoor Drying Rack With Screen, perfect for drying a full load and concealing my dirty washing with ease – even in a small space.
This Joseph Joseph indoor clothes airer is perfect for drying clothes in small spaces
The selling point of the Eclipse™ 3-tier Ecru Clothes Drying Rack With Screen, which is available for purchase at Joseph Joseph and Amazon, is that you can turn it round once it's loaded with laundry and the stylish, neutral fabric exterior conceals your washing as it dries.
It's perfect for small spaces as you'll never have to worry about laundry racks becoming an eyesore, even if you have guests coming over. It's also perfect for people with pets – I have four dogs and they weren't able to dirty the drying laundry with their fur, which is great as it can be a real nightmare to get pet hair out of laundry.
While it's not a heated airer, the fact that my drying laundry was hidden from view meant that it didn't matter how long it took to dry – it looks that good!
How it works
It has a built in screens so whilst your laundry will still enjoy good air circulation from the top and one side, the other three have breathable fabric panels to hide your laundry from sight, regardless of which space you've set it up in. You can also face the open side to a radiator or heating vent to dry clothes quickly.
The rack is three-tiered, but cleverly works so that each tier can be individually folded down if not needed. I was able to dry my trousers full-length with plenty of room, as I simply folded down the bottom tier. In total, it has 45 feet of drying capacity, so there is plenty of room for a full load of washing on there if needed.
It also features locking wheels, so I was able to move it to my preferred spot with ease before locking it in place, ensuring it won't roll around once loaded with laundry.
Assembly
I'm not exactly DIY inclined, and set up only took me 15 minutes. With only six screws involved (you will need a screwdriver), the rest of the time was simply spent attaching the ingenious screen onto the rack, which uses Velcro. It was a bit fiddly, but the best part is once it's up, it's up, and can be neatly folded and put away between uses, so I'll never have to do it again. It folds completely flat, perfect for maximizing space in a small laundry room.
I couldn't wait to test it out so I quickly put on a load of white washing, making sure not to make any mistakes with my laundry pods. I use and recommend the Fairy Platinum Non Bio + Extra Stain Remover Pods available at Amazon, or the bestselling Tide PODS Laundry Detergent Packs available at Walmart.
My verdict
While, admittedly, the Eclipse™ 3-tier Ecru Clothes Drying Rack With Screen doesn't come as cheap as some alternatives including the Amazon Basics Foldable Laundry Rack for Air Drying Clothing available at Amazon, it's built to last, meaning it's a great option to use and love long term, reducing landfill waste and unwanted clutter in your home.
The Joseph Joseph airer feels solid and robust, as the heavy-gauge steel provides support for even the largest of washing loads, and can comfortably hold up to 30 lbs of laundry. While foldable, it feels stable and secure, particularly in comparison to traditional folding airers which fold downwards, and can be difficult to lock in place.
Once the wheels are locked in place on this airer, it doesn't move at all, and the racks don't bend or feel flimsy, meaning they're perfect for hanging clothes on hangers, too.
It's also one of a kind. The ability to conceal drying laundry is something we're all after, and this product is perfect to dry clothes in small spaces, before folding away in even the smallest of laundry rooms. I love the look and clever functionality of it, how simple it is to use, and that it's a great way to be sustainable at home and cut energy bills.
Verdict: Overall, I rate this airer 9/10. It looks great, feels solid and provides plenty of hanging space for my washing. However, due to it's large size and, therefore, ample drying space, the rack is tall even when folded, meaning it can't be stored away in a small cupboard. But, as it folds flat, it can be stored behind a door or hung up inside a larger closet. The exterior fabric is also non-machine washable, but can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
FAQs
What is the most efficient way to hang clothes to dry on a rack?
To minimize drying time when drying clothes indoors, hang your clothes on the rack without layering them, or by using hangers. Then, turn them every few hours to ensure even drying, which will also reduce musty smells, which is one of the benefits of air-drying laundry over using a tumble dryer.
Where do you hang clothes to dry in the house?
When positioning your drying rack, think about air flow. Aim to place your rack near a window, fan or radiator (most suitable for the cooler months), and avoid overcrowding for more efficient drying. If you're using a heated airer, the simple bed-sheet tip will help make it more efficient.
Need more space-saving tips? These small laundry room storage rules guarantee a functional and curated space.
