85+ Photos of DIY Appliances for Drying Clothes on the Balcony: Hanger, Lianas, Ropes. Which Option should you choose?

A clothes dryer on the balcony is an insignificant thing at first glance, but it is difficult to do without it.

Clothes dryer

In most apartments it is not possible to dry the washed things in the rooms, so you have to use the balcony. In summer, this method is generally advantageous, because under the sun’s rays, clothes of any density dry out almost instantly. In winter it is more difficult, a prerequisite for drying things is to have a glazed balcony, since otherwise they will only turn into ice.

But even in the glazed balcony it is important to organize the clothes dryer in such a way that there is free access to window, after all, it has to be regularly opened to ventilate the room. Otherwise, mold and dampness are inevitable..

Convenient clothes dryer on the balcony

In the cold season, you still have to dry the laundry in the apartment, no matter how good the dryer on the balcony is. Batteries are a great option to avoid this. In some apartments, they are specially led to the balcony in order to facilitate the drying process..

When buying an apartment, not as much attention is paid to the balcony as to all other rooms.. In fact, this room is irreplaceable, so if you see mold, an unpleasant odor and dampness on the walls, immediately think about where the laundry will be dried.. If there are no options to organize a dryer in the room, this will create a lot of problems..

Outdoor option

AdviceYou should never delay renovating a balcony if you are using this room for drying clothes. If you find the first signs of dampness, mold and other unpleasant phenomena, you need to immediately eliminate them. Otherwise, after some time it will be impossible to use the dryer on the balcony..

Pros and cons of a dryer

A dryer on the balcony is more of a compulsory measure, not a whim. If there are no other options, then you have to occupy this room.. Nevertheless, this process does have positive aspects, it is not without reason that it has been practiced for a long time in many developed countries:

space in the apartment is saved;
the linen is ventilated, a pleasant smell of freshness appears;
blocking access to wet things for children is easy – you can simply close it Door;
hiding clothes is also easy – you can simply curtain the window onto the balcony.

Saves space in the apartment

These advantages are especially noticeable in those apartments, the balcony windows of which do not overlook the road, but to the forest or other nature. No mouthwash will give things as fresh and aromatic as such a natural scent..

AdviceIf the balcony windows face the highway and other dusty places, it is best to dry your clothes at night and early in the morning..

The clothes dryer on the balcony also has its drawbacks. However, they are not so catastrophic as to abandon this process, it is important just to know all the nuances and learn how to adapt to them.. Among the disadvantages of a balcony clothes dryer are the following factors:

Dependence on the weather. If it rains, and the window on the balcony is open or it is completely absent in the summer season, most likely, the wash will have to be repeated. To avoid such situations, it is better to dry things when someone is at home and check the weather forecast in advance..

The laundry must be hung up very carefully.

The smell of smoke. Some people use the balcony as a smoking area, so if the downstairs neighbors smoke and the balcony windows are open, the smell of smoke will be absorbed into the clothes. And if you smoke from above, then ash can also fly into the window. To prevent such situations, it is better to use the dryer with closed windows, and ventilate the room before and after.

Danger. As strange as it may sound, you can still hear about cases when people fell out of the balcony window, hanging clothes, especially if they did it behind the balcony. In this regard, it is important to observe safety measures, taking care of small children as well..

Portable option

On a noteIn some countries, drying things behind the balcony (on the street side) is strictly prohibited by law. The authorities believe that this spoils the overall appearance of the city and creates an unfavorable impression on tourists..

Aesthetics

Many, especially women, are worried that the dryer on the balcony can ruin the 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 drying of things in such a way as not to spoil the overall appearance of the apartment..

Will not spoil the appearance of the balcony

As already mentioned, the practice of drying things from the street side of the balcony has long been outdated, and besides, this behavior is considered a sign of bad taste. Few people want his clothes, and especially underwear, to be examined by strangers, while some, without hesitation, hang it out for everyone to see. Even if there is no way to dry everything in one go, you need to adapt to your circumstances and wash in a smaller volume, but more often.

In order to hide wet things from the eyes of guests, you need to take care of the availability curtains, which would close the window between the room and the balcony. It is desirable that it be dense and not translucent. Some housewives find an original solution to this problem – they put a large weaving on the windowsill flower, which completely covers all the glass, so that no one will guess that this is not just a houseplant, but also an important part of the interior.

Saving space on the balcony

It happens that there is no way to close the curtain: if guests come during the day, then the room must have daylight. In this case, a simple rule will be useful, which should always be adhered to when hanging clothes: intimate things, underwear should be located in the center, and all the rest on the sides.. Then sweaters, T-shirts and other large clothing will be a kind of barrier that protects intimate clothing from prying eyes..

Clothesline

The easiest way to organize a dryer on the balcony is to pull on the ropes. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing complicated about it. But those who at least once had to spend time washing clothes due to the fact that they were found on the floor with broken ropes know that this is not so..

The easiest way

To begin with, it is important to choose the right material – it should be lightweight, but at the same time durable, so as not to wear out quickly. Also, it should not stretch like an elastic band and get dirty, because if the rope turns black, it is unlikely that any hostess will want to hang clean linen on it.. The most suitable materials, which are easy to find, are:

metal cable wrapped in PVC;
jute;
polypropylene.

Metal rope

There are also standard materials that are inexpensive but can serve well for a while. Nevertheless, their endurance is not so long, over time they begin to sag lower and lower, they also get dirty quickly, so after that you immediately have to look for a replacement.. These include:

standard twisted rope, which is in greatest demand among the inhabitants of our country;
plastic, which attracts attention with a variety of available colors.

To fix the rope on the wall, you have to make special structures with your own hands, since usually it is not sold as a set, but separately. To do this, you need two slats, their length depends on how many rows will be located. They are attached opposite each other, for reliability it is better to use strong nails or special screw-in hooks.

A good choice of clothes dryers

AdviceThe easiest way is to first firmly tie the end of the rope to the outermost nail, then stretch it in different directions, wrapping it around each nail on the slats. On the last nail, as on the first, a strong knot is made..

Vines

Lianas for linen look stylish, which do not spoil the overall view of the balcony. In addition, in terms of strength and service life, such a dryer is several times better than simple ropes attached to slats. It belongs to the category of ceiling drying devices..

Lianas for linen

Liana is a frame equipped with cords and which is attached to a roller mechanism. One of the advantages of this model is that the length of each rope can be easily adjusted.. Thanks to a special lock, the rods can be easily fixed at the desired level.

Many people note another advantage of the liana – it can be folded and in this position it absolutely does not take up space and does not attract attention.. The latest models are made so thin that looking at them in assembled form, it is generally difficult to understand what it is..

Long vine

Installation of creepers

It starts with the preparation of the fastener, it can be wooden beams and any other made of durable material. After that, you need to mark the place using a tape measure and a pencil. To install panels with rollers, you need to drill in the previously installed mount and drive a plug into it, and screw the panel on top.

After that, 1.5 m from the floor is measured and the bracket is attached, the ropes are alternately pulled through the panels with rollers. In this case, the short one is directed towards the attachment, and the long one clings to the roller opposite itself and descends along the fixed bracket. As a result, all the ropes become the same length, stretched exactly.

Ceiling dryer

Ceiling dryers are more practical to use than wall dryers, because they take up a minimum of space, while being very practical in terms of functionality. Even ordinary clotheslines attached to rails are also included in this category.. This demand is absolutely justified, because ceiling systems have a number of advantages:

both the floor and the walls of the balcony remain free, so that you can freely move and arrange the desired furniture;
do not attract attention when there is nothing on them;
does not require large costs, and some of them can be done by purchasing only the necessary material.

Most practical to use

One of the popular models of ceiling dryers are pull-out systems, which are called “accordion dryer”. The principle of operation of the mechanism – the model is attached to the ceiling, and in order to hang linen on it, you first need to lower it to the desired level.

There are different versions of the pull-out dryers trigger system, the most popular of which is the pull-on mechanism. It is enough to pull it down, and the structure immediately descends, immediately after it is released, it stops. The structures themselves can be of completely different sizes and contain any number of ropes..

Often, in retractable ceiling dryers, thin pipes made of plastic or other material are available instead of ropes..

The disadvantage is fragility

The only drawback of such a ceiling model is its fragility.. Most retractable dryers are designed for a weight of no more than 5 kg, but even so, they often fail ahead of time. Therefore, such ceiling models are suitable for small families who dry things in a small amount..

AdviceSome housewives successfully combine several types of ceiling dryers. For example, you can use a pull-out dryer, and Liana, which in its essence also has a pull-out mechanism. But you can combine them only if you have a large balcony, which is used only for drying clothes..

Outdoor

A floor dryer for clothes can be used not only for balconies, but also in any rooms, however, many people put it in rooms, there is simply no place. These models are mainly used in cases where, for some reason, it is not possible to attach the ceiling. In some apartments, the walls and ceilings on the balconies are so unreliable that drawing is not worth it, so you have to do without using them..

Used not only on balconies

Floor dryers have their own advantages, the main ones include:

oneMobility. If you suddenly need to move the dryer from place to place, or even temporarily to another room, this can be done without any problems. They are usually not heavy and can be folded to make lifting easier. 2Variety of dimensions. Floor dryers come in completely different sizes, so that the right option will be selected for a family of any size. Also, such models are often used as an addition to the ceiling, some are attached to ceiling retractable, and the floor is placed below.

For different types of things

3Ability not to use. If you have attached a ceiling dryer, it is unlikely that you can easily remove it when you need it. However, floor dryers are more practical – they can be easily folded and removed, especially since when folded they usually take up little space. 4Easy to mount. Unlike other models, these do not need to be screwed or otherwise fixed using tools. All you need to do is just push the mechanism, as it immediately opens.

Types of outdoor

The most popular is the classic look, the mechanism of which resembles the principle of unfolding the ironing board.. The support consists of pipes crossed among themselves, the shape of which resembles the letter “X”. Clothes are hung on pipes, which can be any number.

Stylish dryer option

When choosing a classic floor dryer, special attention should be paid to the durability 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 models, because even if someone accidentally leans on it, it will break down immediately. It is worth considering whether it is really necessary to save money when buying, and after a month go to the store again.

For families with small children

In families with small children, which means that 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 like if several classic models were put on top of each other.

Among the range of floor dryers, Chinese models are often found, known for their fragility. To avoid buying them, you must carefully study the manufacturer’s instructions yourself, not trusting the sellers.

Hanger

Balcony dryers are the only way to dry and store your clothes naturally. This is especially practical when drying men’s suits and other large items that should not be folded when wet. Everyone has had to spend time at least once to smooth out the wrinkles that appeared as a result of drying things in the wrong way..

Conveniently 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 model. Another advantage of this method of drying things is that you can use the means available in the house for it.. The easiest way to build a dryer with hangers is this way:

We are looking for a pipe that needs a length, it should reach from one wall to another, while it is necessary that there is a place for fastening. An excellent option would be a hanger holder made of wardrobe. You can use one that is no longer used in the cabinet, but you can purchase it separately, usually holders are sold as separate parts in many furniture stores.
We attach the pipe or holder to the walls. Some of them are mounted directly to the ceiling, just screw the holders with screws. Using such structures, 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 for this the same ones that hung clothes in the closet, but this is undesirable. It is better that the hangers are separate for storing clothes in the closet and separately for drying..

It is possible to attach the hanger – sometimes this is not enough

AdviceIn furniture stores, in departments with ready-made clothes dryers, special hangers made of moisture-resistant material are sold. Their use is convenient and practical, because they can serve for a long time..

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Wall dryer

Wall dryers can be used in different cases: if it is not possible to use a ceiling dryer, if the canvas 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, differing in design, mounting method and other parameters..

Inertial

When folded, such dryers are very compact, so there are no problems with their storage.. Inertial models have two parts:

Frame. It is equipped with a spring drum that pulls the cord and, if necessary, hides it inside. Thanks to this, a good tension is provided, so that the cord does not sag and even over time, the clothes still dry at the right level, and do not interfere with walking.
Fastening. For it, either hooks attached to the other side or a bar can be used. The mount is permanently present on the wall, and the case is put on it if necessary to dry the laundry.

The inertial option is good for a balcony with a high ceiling

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

Console

These wall dryers are even more compact than inertial dryers. If you want no trace of ropes and cords left immediately after drying, this option will be suitable for you. When it is closed, you can see a small strip of millet on the wall, no more than 10 cm wide, and its length may be different, depending on the model you choose..

They are even more compact than inertial

When the cantilever wall dryer is folded out, the tubes are extended in rows. On them, you can either simply throw clothes over, or fasten it with clothespins.. Like inertial models, such models are not intended for drying a large amount of laundry, it is usually recommended to hang no more than 5 kg.

Extendable 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. Standard models can support up to 10 kg, but even stronger models can be found if needed.

The sliding dryer is a metal tube structure, which explains its strength.. When the system is folded, it takes up very little space as the pipes themselves are thin. In order to use the dryer, you need to open it – just take it by the outer pipe and pull it towards you.

Wooden version

As a result, the structure, which when folded looked like one solid metal pipe, turns into a multi-tiered dryer, on which you can put a lot of things. Considering that the extendable dryer is designed for more weight than the inertial and cantilever dryer, proper attention must be paid to the fastening. For this, both dowels and self-tapping screws can be used, but the main thing is to provide powerful fixation..

Electric

A couple of decades ago, no one heard of electric dryers, but today you can buy them in many stores. These structures represent a barbell with rays emanating from its center. Rays usually have different sizes, large ones are used to dry larger things, small ones – for smaller ones..

At the bottom of the structure of the electric dryer there is a device that supplies hot air. The cost of such models is higher than that of the rest, the main factor affecting it is the material. Typically, electric dryers are:

aluminum is the cheapest option, but it does not last long, since this substance quickly oxidizes, and rusty spots remain on clothes;
made of stainless steel – a more expensive option, but at the same time more durable;
steel – the most durable and reliable models, the only drawback of which is the high cost.

For those who are always in a hurry

AdviceThe most popular are electric dryers made of stainless steel, because they are more expensive than aluminum ones and have good durability. However, when buying, you need to carefully study the instructions, since unscrupulous manufacturers can add an admixture of aluminum, so that after a while the structure will begin to oxidize and become unusable..

General installation rules

Think about what weight is right for you. Remember that if you constantly 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 an allowable five kilogram weight will be enough.
Consider the location of your dryer carefully, as some models are mobile and easy to move, while others are simply impossible. Draw a plan on the wall or ceiling and think over all the little things: try to open the window, whether it will interfere with the structure and whether there will be a passage.

Installation is pretty straightforward

If it is planned to repair the balcony soon, then it is worth postponing the installation of a clothes dryer, since some structures after removal can no longer be attached again. If the apartment, including the balcony, is made 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 the safety of the dryer. For example, if you place the wall model too low, the child can reach it. As a result, it will break, but even more dangerous, he can get injured..

DIY dryer

If you do not see the point in spending money on purchasing something that you can do on your own, 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 risk it.. The easiest way to make a design yourself consists of several stages:

We attach two planks of wood or metal on opposite walls.
We fix screw rings on them, as many ropes are needed, as many pairs of screws are required.
We make small holes for the screws, the diameter of which should be slightly smaller than itself.
We screw in the screws, while it is important to ensure that they are fastened firmly.
If empty gaps remain in the places where the screws are screwed in, they must be sealed with ordinary putty or other means to give strength to the structure..
We pull the rope, threading it into the prepared screw rings, fasten with strong knots.

Easy to DIY

It is better not to save on a skein with a rope, it must be strong and strong enough so that you do not have to buy a new one soon. When pulling, you need to take into account the “golden mean” – it should not sag, but too strong tension will lead to the fact that it will simply burst.

AdviceMaking a dryer with your own hands, you can take into account all the nuances of your own balcony, free space, the quality of the walls and ceiling and other features. If there is no time to bother, then you can find ready-made models from ready-made options by considering different options.

Thus, the use of 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 structures overshadow all the disadvantages: you can choose a mobile model, with any convenient mount – on the wall, ceiling, floor. At the same time, you can decide for yourself how much and what space the dryer will take, as well as choose any design and even color..