2021 ᐈ

Thanks to technological progress, housekeeping has become much easier; many functions have been automated. The labor-intensive process of washing things is performed by a washing machine with a standard drying function, but some things have to be dried. For balcony owners, the problem is solved by equipping a ceiling-type dryer for hanging clothes, which allows you to save space on a small balcony space.

Ceiling structure

A ceiling dryer on the balcony is an ergonomic solution. This model must be assembled after drying, which will free up more space on the balcony and not interfere with cleaning.

At the same time, it can hold more things and accommodate a full set of double bed linen.

Dryers that are built into the ceiling can be divided into the following types:

Built-in : the structure is firmly attached to the ceiling surface.
Removable : after drying the washed items, you can remove the metal divisions, leaving only the fasteners on the ceiling. Ideal for a balcony with a low ceiling.
Two-tier : the upper compartment is built into the ceiling, the lower compartment can be installed as needed.

This model is reliable, thanks to metal elements in the form of long pipes, which are subsequently mounted in holders.

The assembly is adjusted using a strong cord that pushes the accordion mount to the required distance. In this case, you can dry up to 25 kg of various items.

For each model you can purchase metal hangers for drying outerwear. They are easily attached to individual elements.

Wall model

The most popular in use due to its ease of installation and use.

Options:

With separate built-in fasteners in the form of hooks and subsequent installation of strong cables for drying clothes.
The string model is distinguished by the presence of a “drum” for pulling ropes to the required area and number of things.
The prefabricated structure in the form of an “accordion” is fully adjustable, which makes it possible to use it for a small amount of washed laundry, or when there is no space between the wall and the window.

The elements of the latest model are made of wood, aluminum, plastic, and steel. The design itself does not take up much space on the balcony, as does the folding wall-mounted balcony dryer with adjustment.

Its only drawback is the fragile ropes. Therefore, it cannot be used to dry outerwear or large amounts of laundry.

A wall-mounted clothes dryer for a balcony in the form of metal fastening hooks is quite easy to install. But, it should be noted that due to the abundance of laundry, the humidity on the balcony may increase, and things will dry unevenly.

Outdoor dryer

A common option among typical Soviet-built apartment buildings.

Due to the fact that in those days balconies were built without a parapet, many used a steel “threshold” as the basis for metal fastenings.

They were strung with ropes and used as an external clothes dryer. Today, this method is still relevant.

For modern loggias, built-in accordion models are used. Strong steel arches up to 80 cm can withstand up to 10 kg of laundry.

It can also be used in the absence of a balcony, using the space under the window.

Plastic removable structures are suitable for drying a small amount of things.

Portable

A standard model that will fit on a balcony or loggia with large dimensions. The floor structure can be in the form of:

“table” with folding small sections on the sides;
compact bookcase;
“scissors” with folding arches;
multi-level design with an additional hanger for outerwear.

A variety of devices will allow you to choose a model that suits all the required parameters.

Main advantages

A balcony or loggia is always a multifunctional space. It accommodates a seating area, mountains of unnecessary things, and various indoor plants, so there is simply no room for a standard clothes dryer.

In this case, many use a proven method: pulling clotheslines to dry clothes. After this, housewives may experience certain problems, namely uneven drying of things or low strength of the rope itself.

If you make a built-in dryer on the balcony, you can not only save space, but also reduce the humidity in the room itself.

The following advantages of this design are also highlighted:

Washed items will be dried evenly, regardless of the weather conditions outside. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about them getting damp in high humidity.
Metal fasteners can withstand large amounts of laundry.
Some models have adjustable divisions, which will save even more space.
There is no need to secure the laundry with clothespins, as it fits tightly to the dryer rails.
Various price categories.

Selection options

A clothes dryer for a balcony is selected not only by design, but also by parameters:

number of rods and their length;
rod material;
bracket material.

Everything is clear from the materials. The best, but also the most expensive, is stainless steel. Just don't confuse it with chrome steel. As a rule, chrome plating wears off very quickly, after which the metal begins to rust.

Ordinary powder-coated steel behaves quite well, but only if the technology was not violated during painting. Otherwise, rusty spots will also appear.

The combined option is very good: the load-bearing parts of the structure are made of powder-coated steel, and the lintels on which clothes are hung are made of plastic. This type of dryer can be called optimal in terms of price/quality ratio.

Modern plastics are a fairly durable material that can withstand the load of laundry, it is not very expensive and does not change its performance characteristics for a long time.

But in load-bearing structures, especially at the junction of the legs of folding floor models, the presence of plastic is undesirable. This is still too much of a load for plastic.

The set of characteristics will determine how convenient or not it is to use a particular model. For example, for drying bed linen, rods at least 2 meters long are optimal. In this case, any part of the double set can be hung without folding.

The amount of laundry that can be hung at one time is determined by the total length of the rods.

It is usually in the description, but if not, then you can multiply the number of rods by the length. So we get the same characteristic. Here, of course, the larger the number, the more laundry you can hang. But, on the other hand, the more space on the balcony or loggia will need to be allocated for the dryer.

Hanger

Hangers for drying clothes on the balcony are the only way to dry and store clothes in a natural position. This is especially practical for drying men's suits and other large items that should not be folded when wet. Everyone has at least once had to spend time smoothing out wrinkles that appeared as a result of drying things in the wrong way.

Convenient to dry men's suits

Drying hangers can be used as an auxiliary structure, that is, you can use a floor dryer and one at the same time, or combine it with any other models. Another advantage of this method of drying things is that you can use the means available in the house. The easiest way to build a dryer with hangers is this way :

We are looking for a pipe of the required length; it must reach from one wall to another, and there must be room for fastening. An excellent option would be a hanger holder from a wardrobe. You can use the one that is no longer used in the closet, or you can purchase it separately; usually the holders are sold as separate spare parts in many furniture stores.
We attach the pipe or holder to the walls. Some of them are attached directly to the ceiling; you just need to tighten the holders with screws. Using such designs, it is easier to choose the length, because it does not have to be from wall to wall, it can occupy half or any desired part of the ceiling.
We select the required number of hangers and dry the clothes. Some people use the same ones on which clothes hung in the closet for this, but this is not advisable. It is better to have hangers separately for storing clothes in the closet and separately for drying.

It is possible to attach a hanger - this is sometimes not enough

Tip In furniture stores, in departments with ready-made clothes dryers, they sell special hangers made of moisture-resistant material. Their use is convenient and practical, because they can last a long time.

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Review of manufacturers

It would seem that a clothes dryer is a household appliance that is present in almost every home and is a one-time purchase. But in fact, there is a serious struggle for leadership in the market for drying device manufacturers.

Moreover, each company offers potential buyers high-quality and reliable drying units in different price categories.

The first on the list of famous brands is the Italian company Gimi .

This company occupies a leading position in the production of floor-mounted clothes dryers. The range of this manufacturer is quite wide, and accordingly, the price also varies widely. Gimi products are available in the Russian Federation and CIS countries.

The Turkish company Dogrular deserves special attention. For the manufacture of products, the company uses exclusively high-quality materials. All models are easy to use.

The cost of the products is very affordable, thanks to which the consumer purchases a very useful and durable drying device for a small amount.

But the Italian company Meliconi produces luxury clothes dryers.

Each individual model has a special thoughtful design, unusual shapes and dimensions. The design itself uses many decorative elements, thanks to which it is possible to select a product in accordance with the style of the balcony or loggia.

Based on this, it becomes clear that the prices for Melicone products cannot boast of being affordable.

Despite this, dryers of the represented brand are actively purchased by consumers for whom beauty, strength and durability are important.

Leifheit is in particular demand .

The products of the described brand are of high quality and reliability. The attention of consumers is attracted not only by the characteristics of drying products, but also by a surprise from the manufacturer: each set contains additional elements, for example, hangers, clothespins and holders.

Along with foreign companies, Russian ones are in great demand.

This name has been on the market since 2008, but in such a short period of time the company has managed to win the recognition of many consumers from the CIS countries. The domestic manufacturer offers a wide range of clothes dryers of various types at the most affordable prices. Only high-quality materials are used in the production of structures, due to which all products are distinguished by a high level of strength and durability.

Recommendations from the pros

What do the professionals advise:

It is very important to constantly take into account the basic criteria and:

It is advisable to study the types of structures;
Have an idea of the acceptable dimensions of the device;
Determine the parameters of the working surface;
Pay attention to the number of rods on the dryer;
Select a product from a specific material;
Clarify and check the reliability of mechanisms and related structural elements;
It would be a good idea to get a guarantee on the quality and service life of the purchased device.

Electric dryer

As a rule, electric dryers are intended for glazed balconies.

Users note their advantages:

easy installation;
smooth adjustment of heating level;
automatic heating shutdown by timer;
high-quality drying of clothes: bacteria are destroyed.

There are also disadvantages:

additional load on the networks increases electricity bills;
The dryer is constantly under voltage.

Electric models come in several types:

wall-mounted version - a design up to one meter wide and designed for a weight of up to 20 kg. Most often, oil is used as a coolant;

ceiling version - a design up to two meters wide allows you to hang up to 30 kg of laundry, which is dried with heated rods;

floor-standing option - a folding, compact model of the dryer. Allows you to dry a lot of laundry at the same time.

High safety is provided: there will be no burn if touched.

Advantages of automated drying

For those who love the latest technology, ceiling models equipped with remote control are recommended. Textiles dry quickly, regardless of the weather. The structures are installed in closed, unglazed loggias. They are a ceiling-mounted electric dryer equipped with a fan, the drying area is located underneath it.

They are made of plastic, metal, and equipped with an automatic up and down movement. Often supplemented with LED lighting and program control. The price of such complexes is high and requires the supply of electric current.

Dryer model "Liana"

A very common multifunctional design that is suitable for any balcony. Its elements are fixed to the ceiling and wall.

The ceiling part consists of thin tubes attached to cables.

An elevator mounted on the wall regulates the lifting height of each tube separately. This makes hanging laundry easier. After drying, the structure is pulled up to the ceiling and secured.

Users note the following advantages of this type of dryer:

modern design. The design looks very neat and does not disturb the interior of the balcony;
no restrictions on the weight of the laundry;
you can hang and remove laundry in different batches;
laundry hung at different heights dries faster.

The big thing about this multi-level design is that it is very complex to install.

It consists of two stages:

Choosing a location.

A dryer stacked on the ceiling should not interfere with the use of the windows of the glazed balcony. To mount the dryer on the ceiling and the elevator on the wall, the strongest places are selected. In some cases, they are reinforced with embedded parts.

Installation.

The work is carried out according to the instructions. The dryer is mounted on brackets that are tightened with screws.

After installation, a strength and comfort test is carried out. For this purpose, wet laundry is hung out.

Aesthetics

Many people, especially women, worry that a dryer on the balcony can ruin their reputation in the eyes of guests and create a bad impression of the comfort in the apartment. If this moment worries you too, you can apply a few simple rules and tips.

They will help organize the drying of things in such a way as not to spoil the overall appearance of the apartment.

As already mentioned, the practice of drying things on the street side of the balcony has long been outdated, and besides, such behavior is considered a sign of bad taste. Few people want their clothes, and especially their underwear, to be examined by strangers, while some, without hesitation, hang them out for everyone to see.

Even if it is not possible to dry everything at once, you need to adapt to your circumstances and wash less, but more often.

In order to hide wet things from the eyes of guests, you need to make sure there is a curtain that would cover the window between the room and the balcony.

It is desirable that it be dense and not see through.

Some housewives find an original solution to this problem - they place a large climbing flower on the windowsill, which completely covers the entire glass, so that no one will guess that it is not just a houseplant, but also an important part of the interior.

It happens that it is not possible to close the curtain: if guests come during the day, then there must be daylight in the room. In this case, a simple rule that should always be followed when hanging clothes will be useful: intimate items, underwear should be located in the center, and everything else on the sides.

Then sweaters, T-shirts and other large clothing will be a kind of barrier protecting intimate clothing from prying eyes.

Wall dryer

Wall-mounted dryers can be used in different cases: if it is not possible to use a ceiling dryer, if the ceiling on the balcony is too high, so it is not easy to reach the rope, and for other reasons. This category consists of various models that differ in design, mounting method and other parameters.

Inertial

When folded, these dryers are very compact, so there are no problems with storing them. Inertial models consist of two parts:

Frame. Equipped with a drum with springs that tensions the cord and, if necessary, hides it inside. Thanks to this, good tension is ensured, so that the cord does not sag, and even over time, the clothes still dry at the desired level, and do not interfere with walking.
Fastening. It can use either hooks attached on the other side or a bar. The mount is permanently present on the wall, and the body is put on it when necessary to dry clothes.

The cost of inertial clothes dryers varies, but cheaper models are less practical - over time, the cords on them still begin to sag, so that the tension becomes not the same as it was originally. On more expensive models, this problem does not arise, because the housing drum is equipped with a tension function, so as soon as the cords begin to sag, you can immediately use it.

Console

These wall-mounted dryers are even more compact than inertial dryers.

If you need that immediately after drying there is no trace of ropes and cords left, this option will be suitable for you. When it is closed, you can see a small plank on the wall, no more than 10 cm wide, and its length can be different, depending on the model you choose.

When a cantilever wall dryer is unfolded, tubes arranged in rows extend out.

You can either simply throw clothes on them, or fasten them with clothespins. Like inertial models, such models are not designed for drying large amounts of laundry; it is usually recommended to weigh no more than 5 kg.

Sliding dryer

If you need a wall-mounted clothes dryer on the balcony, but the permissible weight does not suit you, sliding dryers are an excellent option in this case. Standard models can withstand a weight of no more than 10 kg, but if necessary, even more durable models can be found.

The sliding dryer is a structure made of metal pipes, which explains its strength.

When the system is folded, it takes up very little space, since the pipes themselves are thin. In order to use the dryer, you need to open it - just grab the outer pipe and pull it towards you.

As a result, the design, which when folded seemed like one continuous metal pipe, turns into a multi-tier drying rack on which you can place many things. Considering that a sliding dryer is designed to carry more weight than inertial and cantilever dryers, it is necessary to pay due attention to fastening.

For this, both dowels and screws can be used, but the main thing is to ensure powerful fixation.

Which material to choose?

Different types of materials are used to make drying systems; any design can last a long time if it is made of high-quality material. Poor-quality coating on cheap dryers will lead to damage to the laundry surface under wet clothes hung on the balcony, especially if it is not glazed.

Plastic

Light ceiling products made of plastic look very attractive when new, but very quickly the beauty of the coating disappears due to the high humidity of things. The most unpleasant moment is that plastic components, not intended for heavy loads, can break under the weight of wet clothes.

Tree

The wooden elements of the drying device look impressive, the natural material creates home comfort. But wooden parts will quickly deteriorate due to sudden changes in humidity during frequent use of the dryer, and the surface of the crossbars will simply crack.

Aluminum

Aluminum structures for balconies will please you with their light weight and strength, but the tubes of wall-mounted aluminum dryers often bend. The ability of metal not covered with a protective layer to oxidize will lead to unpleasant consequences - the laundry will be stained if you do not paint the folding parts before installation.

General installation rules

Think about what weight limit is right for you. Remember that if you always load the structure to the maximum, weighing the maximum permissible weight, then its service life will be significantly reduced.

It is better to take a model with a weight reserve; if you usually dry several kilograms of laundry, then a dryer with a permissible weight of five kilograms will be enough.

Carefully consider the location of the dryer, as some models are mobile and easy to move, while others are simply not possible. Draw a plan on the wall or ceiling and think through all the little things: try opening a window to see if it will interfere with the structure and whether there will still be a passage.

If you are planning to repair your balcony soon, then you should wait to install a clothes dryer, since some structures cannot be reattached after removal.

If the apartment, including the balcony, is designed in a certain style, then you will have to pay attention to the design of the dryer so that it does not spoil the overall appearance.

If you have children, be sure to consider dryer safety. For example, if the wall model is placed too low, the child may be able to reach it. As a result, it will break, but what is even more dangerous, he may get injured.

DIY dryer

If you don’t see the point in spending money on purchasing something that you can do yourself, try making a dryer for the balcony with your own hands. At the same time, if you have never dealt with such work, it is better not to take risks.

The easiest way to make a design yourself consists of several stages:

We attach two planks of wood or metal on walls opposite each other.
We attach ring-screws to them; how many ropes are needed, so many pairs of screws are needed.
We make small holes for the screws, the diameter of which should be slightly smaller than the holes themselves.
We screw in the screws, it is important to ensure that they are fastened firmly.
If there are empty gaps in the places where the screws are screwed in, they must be sealed with ordinary putty or other means to impart strength to the structure.
We stretch the rope, threading it through the prepared ring-screws, and secure it with strong knots.

It’s better not to skimp on a skein of rope; it should be strong and durable enough so that you don’t have to buy a new one in the near future. When tightening, you need to take into account the “golden mean” - it should not sag, but too much tension will lead to it simply breaking.

When making a dryer with your own hands, you can take into account all the nuances of your own balcony, free space, quality of walls and ceiling and other features.

If you don’t have time to bother, then you can find ready-made models from ready-made options by considering different options.

Thus, using clothes dryers on the balcony has certain disadvantages: dependence on the weather, the possibility of dust contamination, and the risk of absorbing the smell of cigarette smoke. At the same time, the advantages of the designs outshine all the disadvantages: you can choose a mobile model with any convenient mounting - on the wall, ceiling, floor.

At the same time, you can decide for yourself how much and what space the dryer will take up, and also choose any design and even color.

Floor

A floor-mounted clothes dryer can be used not only for balconies, but also in any room, however, many simply do not have the space to place it in their room. These models are used mainly in cases where, for some reason, it is not possible to attach ceiling ones. In some apartments, the walls and ceilings on the balconies are so unreliable that it is not worth painting, so you have to do without using them.

Used not only on balconies

Floor dryers have their advantages, the main ones include:

1 Mobility . If you suddenly need to move the dryer from one place to another, or even temporarily to another room, this can be done without any problems. They are usually not heavy and can also be folded to make them easier to lift.

2 Variety of sizes. Floor dryers come in completely different sizes, so there is a suitable option for any family size. Also, such models are often used as an addition to ceiling ones; some attach a retractable model to the ceiling, and place a floor model underneath.

For different types of things

3 Option not to use . If you have attached a ceiling dryer, it is unlikely that you can easily remove it the first time you need it. However, floor dryers are more practical - they can be easily folded and put away, especially since when folded they usually take up little space.

4 Easy to attach . Unlike other models, these do not need to be screwed or otherwise secured using tools. All you need to do is simply press on the mechanism, and it will immediately open.

Types of floor

The most popular is the classic type, the mechanism of which resembles the principle of folding out an ironing board. The support consists of pipes crossed between each other, the shape of which resembles the letter “X”. Clothes are hung on pipes, of which there can be any number.

Stylish dryer option

When choosing a classic floor dryer, special attention should be paid to the strength of the tubes. Some cheap models are not designed to withstand a weight of more than 5 kg and it is better not to buy such ones, because even if someone accidentally leans on it, it will immediately break. It’s worth thinking about whether it’s really necessary to save money when purchasing, and then go to the store again a month later.

For families with small children

In families where there are small children, and, therefore, a large amount of clothes are washed, multi-tiered floor dryers will be practical. They are structures, often from floor to ceiling, on which pipes are placed. Outwardly, they look as if several classic models were stacked on top of each other.

Among the assortment of floor dryers, there are often Chinese models known for their fragility. To avoid buying them, you must carefully study the manufacturer’s instructions yourself, without trusting sellers.

(+75 photos) Clothes dryers for the balcony: varieties