charnees

While in Italy the last couple of times we have stayed in Apartments that had really great plastic clothes drying racks. It was quite expansive, had wings that folded out on the sides, and could hold an entire load of laundry.

I'd like to find one, because not only does it save energy to air-dry our clothes, but eliminates the need to iron linen and some other materials. Does anyone know a source in the US?

margyb

Google "clothes drying rack" and the first listing is this:

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3744351

goddesstogo

I've used one of those wing-type drying racks for years -- I don't put much in the dryer. But it took me a long time to find one that was heavy enough to hold a full load of wet wash without the wires bending. I finally spent what seemed like a fortune to me (over $100) on a heavy-duty stainless steel one which works beautifully. I also have a smaller wooden one -- not the wing-type, just an accordian style that stands straight up.

I believe I got the stainless one at either Solutions or one of the large home outfitter stores. I'm sorry I can't be more specific but my post was mostly to suggest that you go for a heavy duty one right off the top. Keep the weight of wet clothes in mind.

ellenem

A friend of mine lived in Italy for 14 years. When she moved back to the U.S. ten years ago, she brought one of those clothes drying racks back with her as checked luggage. At that time she knew it would be impossible to find in the U.S.

The Eagle rack on this link is like the one she brought in Italy.

charnees

Thanks for the references. That Eagle rack is the closest one, but I read a review that said it is very flimsy and started coming apart after three or four uses.

The plastic ones in Italy were sturdy and lightweight and HUGE when folded out. I'd sure like to find one!

alanRow

$75 for a butterfly clothes rack!!!! - I paid the equivalent of $20 for mine which handles a full load from the washing machine (and doesn't bend)

logos999

I don't think they're easy to find over there! The 15-20€ racks you'll find in every supermarket are not available in the US.
Did you check ebay? There's nothing that isn't sold there

mvor

I've had this one for years and it's still holding up. My biggest complaint is that the lines are too close together for bulky items and you can't always fit a full load.

http://www.amazon.com/Laundry-Seymou.../dp/B000ARXI5M

There's a butterfly model shown at the bottom of the screen which might be close to what you're describing.

I also just bought this $15 height adjustable clothes dryer this weekend at IKEA for my overflow (mounts on the ceiling).

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00119042

Dayle

charnees,

I have one of the wooden, accordian types that I've used for years. It's strong enough to hold my cotton throw rugs when wet. That's a lot of weight.

I dry very litle in the dryer, so it gets a lot of use.

Honestly, I think I got it at Walmart or something for about $10 bucks or less. It's been a LONG time.

esm

I have one that Bed, Bath & Beyond carries, it is sturdy and costs $20:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...p;SKU=13624755

BTilke

Ikea also sells drying racks.

We had one in the U.S. and when we moved to Europe, bought one in Belgium. No noticeable difference in quality. I didn't check, but both were probably made in China anyway.

Jake1

We've had one for 25 years--I think we bought it in Montgomery Wards. I've seen them in Target.

travelgourmet

<i>Thanks for the references. That Eagle rack is the closest one, but I read a review that said it is very flimsy and started coming apart after three or four uses.</i>

I think this is simply a function of this item. I wouldn't call the ones we get in Denmark sturdy. A weld came apart on one of ours relatively quickly, and they sag and distort without much effort. And, with only two in the house, our racks don't get the same use they might in a larger household.

I would just accept that these sorts of things are basically disposable pieces of junk that you will have to replace with some regularity, and take my chances on the Eagle one. I mean, if they lasted a lifetime, then they wouldn't be prominently displayed in every medium-sized grocery store in Europe.

irishface

Glad to hear so many of you are skipping the dryer and finding the convenience of drying racks. I have a large one that I inherited from my grandmother and several smaller ones that I have gotten at KMart, Target, the local hardware store. The small ones fit in the tub and are good for drippy things. Of course, I also have a clothesline which is the best--in good weather anyway.

ira

Finally, in 1959, my mother got a clothes dryer.

She would be highly amused to know that young people today want a drying rack.

Coquelicot

We've bought two at IKEA and two at Lowe's. IKEA no longer sells its all-time-best model, so we resorted to Lowe's. We tried one and liked it, but when we went back for another (we need two) they'd changed models. Both are okay. I don't like the ones that have more than one tier; they don't give enough space to hang towels, slacks, or anything long.

charnees

thanks, everyone. I guess because we won't be headed back to Italy for a year or so we had better settle for one of the US products.

Maybe as we all have to conserve energy in the future more racks will become available.

ellenem

another source

http://clothes-drying-rack.com/65-ft...drying-ra.html