Fold-Down Drying Racks
Buy the best fold-down drying racks selected and recommended by interior designers. By Mia Jones.
There are so many reasons to love a fold-down clothes drying rack. Traditional machine dryers can sometimes shrink, stretch, or be harsh on certain fabrics. A foldable drying rack gently and safely dries fabric. They’re a great space saver as they can pull out when in use and fold away when you don’t need them. Plus, using a drying rack lets you save on your energy bills and is better for the environment. Our design team gathered eight great options together for you!
Fold-Down Drying Racks
Buying Guide
Mia Jones
Interior Design Expert
Mia is a freelance bathroom designer and writer with over a decade of professional experience. From space planning, cabinetry, storage solutions, and tile design to hardware and fixture selections, she knows a thing about creating baths that strike a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.
A fold out drying rack offers plenty of advantages that every home should have one. For one, it can help you dry your clothes in a very energy efficient manner. The design also allows it to be compact for more accessible storage. Perhaps you already know of its advantages, and that's why you are shopping for one.
Keep in mind that fold out drying racks come in many different varieties. To find the right one for you, you need to know the factors that will have the most significant impact in relation to your situation.
The first thing you need to decide on is the type of fold out drying rack you want to have. Your two primary choices are stand-alone and wall-mounted.
- The wall-mounted type is not as common as the stand-alone type. As the name suggests, this type of foldable rack needs to be mounted on a wall. Once mounted, you can extend the drying rack by pulling it out. Because of its design, it's typically the more economical option. Also, it does not consume a lot of space. On the downside, this type scores very low on portability.
- The stand-alone is the more popular option for a fold out drying rack. The stand-alone can be used immediately and there's no need to do any installation. This makes this type the more convenient option. It's also very portable and easy to store. On the downside, it's usually costlier compared to the wall-mounted type.
Most racks are manufactured with wood, plastic or metal.
- Wood is the traditional material for a fold out drying rack. And yes, a wood rack can be designed so it will be foldable. The advantage of wood is it's a beautiful material. Hence, it's a great option if aesthetics is what you are aiming for. The downside with wood is it doesn't play well with moisture or water. Hence, don't' expect a wood rack to last very long.
- Metal, especially aluminum, is probably the most common material for a folding rack. Aluminum is a lightweight material, which makes the rack portable and easy to move around. Also, the right kind of aluminum is resistant to rust. Aluminum may not be the cheapest material, but it lasts for a long time that it offers the best value for your money.
- The biggest advantage of plastic is that is arguably cheaper compared to wood and metal. In terms of durability, it sits in the middle. It's not a strong as metal, but it's a lot resilient to moisture and water compared to wood. It's a good option if the budget is a bit tight.
Of course, there are other factors that you may need to consider, especially the ones that will play a more important role in relation to your situation. The critical factors mentioned above only serve as a starting point, and it's best to keep them in mind when shopping for a fold out drying rack.
Wondering if you need a drying rack? Did you know that drying your dishes, clothes, and other items by using dryers and drying cycles on dishwashers can ultimately be bad for your belongings? Dryers are incredibly hard on clothes, for example, leading them to fray and rip earlier than they would have otherwise.
You can extend the life of your belongings and also adopt a more energy-efficient, eco-friendly, sustainable way of life by investing in drying racks! However, it's crucial to pick the right one for the specific project you plan on taking on. Let's go through the different types of drying racks and discuss which needs each is best suited to handle.
Drying racks come in many differing types! If you have a lot of space, clothesline poles and retractable clotheslines can present optimal airflow for your drying needs. For more compact solutions, turn to wall mounted and umbrella clotheslines.
Freestanding Drying Racks
These types of drying racks do not depend upon a surface to lean against. Frequently, they look like small tables with multiple different levels. They can often be collapsed and stored in closets or under furniture. These are good for clothing, dishes, linens, or anything else which may need to be dried. They work well indoors and outdoors as well!
Are you thinking about taking your drying rack on the road? For camping, travel, and other impermanent situations, drying racks can present a great way to ensure that you have clean, dry clothes at all times. Choosing a freestanding drying rack made of lightweight wood is a good idea; just make sure it easily folds down so you can take it with you anywhere you go!
Wall Mounted Drying Racks
These are extendable, retractable racks built into your wall which can be pulled out, used, and put away. They are good for both indoor and outdoor use, depending upon the specific material you are using. The pros is you don't have to take the rack out and then hide it over and over again. The cons - it's right there, sticking out on the wall all the time.
If you're planning to mount the rack in the laundry room, the style and material will not matter much, but if it is going to be in sight all the time, choose a sleek model that blends with the color of the wall or the rest of furniture. There are beautiful traditional wooden racks that come with shelves and hooks, as well as more contemporary models that combine galvanized metal and light-colored wood.
Clothesline Poles
These are poles, generally meant to be set up outside, which have treated ropes connecting the tops of the poles. Clothing can be attached to them with clothespins. A good choice if you'r planing on drying large items such as bed linen.
Retractable Clotheslines
These clotheslines come in a retractable spool which you can mount onto a corner of your home - indoors or outdoors, though they are more popularly found outside. They can expand and attach to any other point, which offers significant flexibility in terms of how much of a line you wish to have.
Umbrella Clotheslines
These clotheslines are poles stuck into the ground which feature umbrella (or spiderweb) shaped extendable racks. These have the benefit of not taking up too much room, and not requiring a length of space for a more linear clothesline.
If you're planning on investing in a permanent drying rack, you'll want one that's built to last in the environment in which you plan on using it.
For outdoor drying racks, you'll want to look for treated rope, wood, or coated metal racks. Plastic racks run the risk of being too light and being blown away, which makes the other materials preferable - as long as they're rated for outdoor use.
With indoor racks, any material is fine - but because you likely won't want a permanent rack taking up lots of room in your home, if you plan on keeping your drying rack inside, it's likely a good idea to go with a retractable clothesline or folding drying rack.
When you're thinking about purchasing a drying rack, consider what you'll need to dry. Clothes? Dishes? Other items?
Then, look at the space you have. If you have lots of room, linear clotheslines may be more efficient for drying purposes. If not, you may wish to look at more compact solutions like umbrella lines and stand-alone models.
Finally, consider good materials for your drying rack. If it's going to be outside much of the time, ensure that it is well-rated for such use!