A bargain backyard fix is stirring noisy debate.
Lidl has put a rotary outdoor airer on the shelves at €24.99, promising serious capacity in a small footprint. The umbrella-style unit folds in a second, parks neatly when not in use, and moves wet loads out of the hallway and on to the breeze.
What’s on offer
The headline is simple: an outdoor rotary airer priced at €24.99 (roughly £22 at current rates) that aims at busy households. It opens like an umbrella, locks into place, and offers multiple lines for sheets, towels and school uniforms. The pitch targets families who run back-to-back washes and want floors clear, radiators free, and damp air outside rather than indoors.
€24.99 for a rotary airer that claims room for up to five loads at once and folds away in seconds.
Stocks will not last long. This is a seasonal line and it returns when the weather lifts. The value sits in getting laundry outside without adding a bulky frame to already tight spaces.
Build and capacity
Steel frame and weather hardening
The unit stands on a steel tube. That gives it the stiffness to cope with wind gusts and daily use. The arms carry up to 50 kilograms of laundry when evenly spread across the lines. Lidl positions it as a leave-outside tool, with lines that resist UV, wind and frost. You plant it using the supplied ground sleeve, which sits flush with a lid when the mast is out. That matters for lawns, play areas and foot traffic.
Rated to 50 kg, planted in a buried sleeve with a lid, and built to shrug off UV, wind and frost.
The umbrella action suits quick changes in the weather. You can open it for a sunny hour, then fold it when a shower creeps in. The compact centre post keeps sight-lines clean and avoids a permanent trip hazard when you remove the mast.
Space kept clear on balconies and patios
Not every home has a lawn. The folded profile helps on crowded balconies and narrow patios. The mast slots out when you want a clear corner for a chair or a scooter. The sleeve lid stops mud and grit from collecting in the hole, so you keep the area tidy between drying sessions.
- Price: €24.99, positioned as a budget rotary airer for outdoor use.
- Stated capacity: up to five standard loads hung at the same time.
- Maximum load: 50 kg across the arms and lines when spread evenly.
- Fixing: ground sleeve to bury; lid supplied to cover when not in use.
- Weather resistance: lines and frame designed for UV, wind and frost.
- Footprint: compact mast, foldable arms for easy storage.
What users are saying
Customer ratings skew positive, with 82% saying they would recommend it. Shoppers point to strong value, stability in blustery conditions and a simple build process. One regular grumble surfaces: there is no protective cover in the box. Many users mention buying a generic cover or stowing the mast indoors between uses.
82% recommendation rate, frequent praise for value and wind hold, and a recurring note about the lack of a cover.
That pattern fits the proposition: push the price low, focus on core hardware, and leave accessories optional. If you live coastal or on an exposed hill, plan an extra tie or a sheltered placement.
Who will benefit most
Large families fighting daily piles of kit and bedding will gain the most. Pet owners who wash throws often will see floors clear faster. Flat-dwellers with a usable balcony can move damp air outside and keep mould risk down indoors. Students in house shares can run multiple loads and still find the living room usable.
When a rotary airer beats a tumble dryer
Electric dryers cost money every spin and throw warm, moist air into small rooms unless vented. An outdoor airer trades electricity for wind and sun. It keeps humidity out of bedrooms and reduces lint build-up on clothes. Towels dry fluffier in moving air. Whites brighten under daylight. You also cut heat stress on elastics and prints.
| Method | Pros | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor rotary airer | No running cost, faster in breeze, frees indoor space, gentler on fabrics | Weather dependent, needs a secure fixing, night-time drying slows |
| Indoor airer | Works in any weather, cheap hardware, easy to move | Adds moisture indoors, rooms cluttered, slower without airflow |
| Tumble dryer | Fast, consistent, less handling of pegs and lines | Energy cost each cycle, fabric wear, venting or condenser maintenance |
Set-up and smart use
Good installation makes the difference between a swaying tree and a steady workhorse. The sleeve needs solid footing and alignment. The rest is habit and airflow.
Capacity claims, decoded
“Up to five loads” depends on what you wash. Five loads of baby clothes will fit differently to five loads of king-size bedding. The quoted 50 kg maximum is more useful. Respect that ceiling and spread mass evenly. If your machine takes 8 kg per cycle, do not hang five heavy cotton loads at once. Mix fabrics and plan two rounds. You will still keep the hallway free.
Availability and timing
This product sits in the seasonal aisle, which empties quickly in fair weather. If you miss it, check back as temperatures rise or watch for similar hardware later in the year. Many supermarkets and DIY chains carry universal sleeves and covers that match a standard mast diameter, so you can build a set that suits your garden.
Extra ways to speed drying and protect clothes
Spin at higher rpm before you hang, then snap towels and sheets to loosen fibres. Peg shirts by the hem to reduce peg marks on shoulders. Turn dark items inside out to slow fading under UV. Use a dehumidifier indoors on wet days and swap back outside when the wind picks up. Combine both and you will cut energy spend and keep mould at bay.
Think about safety and wear. Keep the radius clear of footballs and swings. Check lines for nicks and retension if they slacken after the first week. If you live where squalls arrive fast, a simple bungee from mast to fence post adds peace of mind. A small routine, repeated, keeps the airer steady and extends its life far beyond the sticker price.
