Clothes Airers: Measure These 4 Things Before You Buy
A clothes airer is a folding rack for drying laundry indoors or outside. It only works well if it fits the floor when it is open, it has enough rail for your wash, long items can hang without touching the floor or the rail below, and it folds small enough to store. Use these checks before choosing one. This guide is a planning aid, not a compatibility guarantee.
Jump to the products to check against this list (affiliate links)
Download the original checklist image
1. Floor space open
Measure the floor where it will stand, with room to walk past and open doors. IKEA's MULIG drying rack is 173 cm long, 57 cm wide and 103 cm high. The winged airer we checked lists "minimum dimensions when open (h x w x d): approx. 91 x 114 x 63 cm" and "max. dimensions when open (h x w x d): approx. 91 x 199 x 63 cm". The tower airer's text gives "size: 126 x 50 x 172cm".
2. Drying length
IKEA lists MULIG's "Drying capacity: 19 metres." and says "4 hooks included for drying smaller things like socks and underwear." The winged airer lists "total dry length: approx. 18.2 m". The tower airer gives no drying length; it lists "6 retractable trays and 2 side wings". Compare these with how much you usually wash at once.
3. Drop below each rail
Sheets, trousers and dresses need a clear drop under the rail. The winged airer is about 91 cm high. The tower airer's size image gives 47.5, 54.5 and 61.5 cm between its levels, so long items on an upper rail may reach the one below. A reviewer on IKEA's Irish page wrote that MULIG's "arms clip together when only the middle of the airer used for clothes."
4. Folded size and load
The winged airer lists "dimensions when closed (h x w x d): approx. 114 x 63 x 8 cm" and "load capacity: approx. 25 kg". The tower airer has "4 casters" and says "each caster is equipped with a brake", but its text gives no folded size or load. Wet laundry is heavy, so ask the seller if a figure is missing.
Before you order
Keep the floor space, the rail length you need, the drop for your longest item and the storage space next to the airer's open size, drying length, gaps between levels, folded size and load. Open it where it will stand before the first wash. If a figure is missing, ask the seller.
Products to check against this list
The links below are affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Specifications are as listed by the seller on the date shown; we have not measured, tested or approved these products for your space.
- Extendable winged clothes airer, 114 to 199 cm long, 18.2 m drying length. Seller-listed: Relaxdays. Text: 'approx. 91 x 114 x 63 cm' to 'approx. 91 x 199 x 63 cm' open (h x w x d); 'dimensions when closed (h x w x d): approx. 114 x 63 x 8 cm'; 'total dry length: approx. 18.2 m'; 'load capacity: approx. 25 kg'. (checked 2026-09-29). View on AliExpress (affiliate link)
- 4-tier folding tower airer on braked castors, 172 cm high. Seller-listed: Bigzzia. Text: 'size: 126 x 50 x 172cm'; '6 retractable trays and 2 side wings'; 'each caster is equipped with a brake'. Size image: 72 cm tiers, 76 x 50 cm base, 47.5, 54.5 and 61.5 cm between levels. Drying length, folded size and load not listed. (checked 2026-09-29). View on AliExpress (affiliate link)
Your fit worksheet
Use centimetres or inches consistently. These cells are intentionally unfilled: we have not measured your space or approved a product for it.
| Check | Your space or equipment | Product requirement | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor space open | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
| Drying length | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
| Drop below each rail | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
| Folded size and load | Record your measurement or observation | Confirm with the maker | Not checked |
Reference and evidence limits
Retailer example: IKEA MULIG drying rack, Ireland listing.
The linked retailer page and its public customer feedback supplied research leads, not independent performance evidence. Comments can reflect individual experiences. We have not independently reproduced them or verified compatibility, stock, price, load limits or current numerical specifications. Check the product page and instructions for your market before buying. Source reviewed on 2026-09-29.