Household Essentials H-150 30-Line Outdoor Parallel-Style Clothes Dryer with Steel Arms
|
List Price: Our Price: $37.47 You Save: $22.52 (38%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Home See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Household Essentials H-150 30-Line Outdoor Parallel-Style Clothes Dryer with Steel Arms
Customer Review: Broken after one use
Summary: 1 Stars
I've wanted an outdoor clothes dryer for years and after doing some research decided upon this model. I had grown up with parallel clotheslines but my current yard is sloped and mostly shady, so I wanted an umbrella type that I could place in the sunniest area.
The dryer arrived with machine lubricant on it, which I was pretty much expecting (based on other reviews of the larger model of this item) but it was fairly easily cleaned off.
I knew there were going to be problems, though when I set it up. The line itself is cheap plastic that sags and stretches, and it's a bit of a pain (to say the least) to tighten it, and it's very difficult to get it taut. Also, the top itself did not seem square even though I set it up exactly as the directions stated. I was careful to balance the clothes on either side and started in the center. After hanging three loads of not very heavy laundry (T-shirts and lightweight items) I heard a kind of sickening "pop" and an entire side was sagging. One of the hinges on the arms had bent. Since the clothes were only half dry, I let it go until later when I was able to pack it up for return.
After reading some other reviews on a different site, it seems this is a fairly common problem...the hinge and arms are made of aluminum, not steel like the center post, and evidently can't take the stress. So disappointing. I had read glowing reviews of this product with people stating they place four large loads of laundry on it each week. There was still plenty of room on the rack on which I could have done this, but three light loads was clearly the maximum that could be held. Perhaps these other folks were hanging baby clothes and lingerie?
I got a refund on this item and I think I am going to next try the umbrella type with the slanted arms. Another issue I had with this dryer was that the lines seemed awfully close together. After almost 8 hours in mostly sun, on a 100 degree day, the clothes in the middle lines were still fairly damp. (This was not due to the rack breaking, as the clothes were sagging but not touching). I was not drying anything particularly thick and heavy (jeans or furniture covers, for example) so I think it was mainly due to a problem with air circulation.
All in all a very disappointing experience. I would love to be able to find the kind of solid, old-school, permanent umbrella type that I remember from my youth, but sadly those seem to be gone. I'm guessing with the current recession that more and more people are going to be drying clothes outside, so perhaps there will be more choices available in time.
Customer Review: Great Space-saving Clothes Lines
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had this in my backyard for several years now, only storing it inside during the snow-producing winter months, and it's still going strong. The metal alloy has not rusted or weakened in any way. By bringing it inside during colder, snowy weather, the lines themselves have not yet had to be replaced either. This is a great buy for the money because it lasts much longer than less expensive, similar items - several of which I've gone through in the 4-5 years before I found this one. It folds flat for storage, can be left leaning in a shed or garage corner during off season or used in a basement in combination with an umbrella base for inside drying during the winter; just open the top and hoist it upright before inserting the lower section of the pole and you'll have no problem if you have a 7' ceiling.Customer Review: Great dryer for the money
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this dryer for my wife as a Christmas present. She had been wanting one for a while. The dryer arrived within a week of being ordered and my father-in-law and I concreted it into the ground in about an hour. I really have not had a chance to use it because we have had such a damp winter here in South Carolina, but it appears to be well constructed and is all steel. I'll be glad to start using it this summer. The only regret that I have is that it was made in China (but what isn't nowadays)!Customer Review: Just keeps breaking
Summary: 1 Stars
I would give this product zero stars if I could. This is the second time I have had this paticular model break. I first purchsed this dryer last year set it up (very easy) and began to use it. The lines would stretch and sag but I did not find it difficult to readjust them. After about a week one of the center aluminum arms bent double and collapsed. I was afraid it may have been my fault and contacted the seller and told them what happened. They were very appologetic and shipped out a complete replacement within two days. After I set up the new dryer I was very careful about how I hung the laundry (only heavy items... jeans etc. on the interior lines. Only 2-3 loads at a time) and things seemed to be fine. Just now as I hung out a load of laundry the same thing happened. I am very frustrated as I purchased this to save money, time and most importantly to help the environment. I hoped to find something that I could use for at least a few years without any problems. The design of the system seems to be sound with the exception of the fact that they use lightweight aluminum bars that just seem to collapse without warning. It is just too stressful for me to have to be worried that every time I hang a shirt on the line I wonder 'Is this it? Is it going to collapse now?'. I would be willing to spend more money for a dryer that I would not have to worry about dropping my clean clothes into the dirt everytime I turned around. Do yourselves a favor and look elsewhere.Customer Review: Lower Electric Bills
Summary: 4 Stars
Love this it takes up little space in the back yard. Living in Arizona with an abundance of sun this is ideal to save money and go green. Clothes dry quickly. The only problem I have is hanging my sheets. They are queen size and don't fit on one line. It was easy to install using a concrete base. Much sturdier than the usual hollow aluminum arms. A good buy!