The “Liana” balcony clothes dryer comes in two types: ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted. The type depends on the location of the structure. “Liana” is designed to optimize space and is in demand on small balconies. Installation of the dryer is easy, you can install it yourself. The dryer is unpretentious to use.
In this article we will look at what types of Liana dryers are on the market. How to choose a dryer and how to install Liana yourself. We will give recommendations for use and list possible breakdowns and malfunctions. The article is supplied with photo and video material.
Characteristics and description of balcony dryers “Liana”
The Liana design consists of crossbars and strong cords that help adjust the height. The crossbars are made of hollow metal rods coated with an anti-corrosion layer. Drying clothes is more convenient if the crossbars are adjusted separately in height.
It received the name “Liana” due to its resemblance to the plant of the same name with long curly stems. Indeed, the similarities are visible.
Length of the Liana dryer: 50cm - 2 meters, exceptions are possible. The crossbars differ in material, plastic ones are weaker, metal ones are stronger.
Expert opinion
Krasnova Lyubov Borisovna
Cleaning company manager
Aluminum and steel crossbars are more reliable in quality. But steel creates additional weight on the cords, which leads to the need for periodic replacement or the use of high-strength cords.
Compact hanger for drying clothes “Liana” with ceiling mount
The crossbars are fixed between two steel brackets. The brackets are fixed to the ceiling or wall using self-tapping screws.
The crossbars are fixed between two steel brackets. The brackets are fixed to the ceiling or wall using self-tapping screws.
The cords are made of nylon material with a ball at the end. “Combs” are strung on the cords, held at the same level by the balls.
“Lianas” are made not only for ceiling or wall, but also electrical or mechanical (manual). Manual ones differ in that the crossbars for hanging laundry are lowered down by loosening the latch. To return the crossbar to its place, the cord is slightly stretched.
When the crossbar is in place, it is securely fixed. If there is a lot of laundry hanging, there will be no problems, since the laundry on other crossbars does not interfere with others.
Advantages and disadvantages of Liana balcony dryers
Let's consider the features of "Liana" in comparison with portable clothes dryers and traditional ropes behind the balcony:
- aesthetics . “Creepers” are usually white, which makes them suitable for any interior;
- exploitation. The housewife does not need to move the stools to reach the height;
- speed. The laundry dries quickly, since the bars can be left at different height levels. This creates free air circulation;
- room options for use. “Liana” can be installed not only on the balcony, but also in the bathroom. This affects the humidity in the room and the drying speed. Air and sun help clothes dry faster. Think about ventilation;
- assembly and installation. Fastening of several screws and intuitive fastening of the dryer;
- exploitation. Convenient lowering of ropes for hanging wet laundry and subsequent lifting;
- price. Varies from 400 to 2000 rubles depending on the material and quality.
Before purchasing, make sure that the walls or ceiling are drillable. Stretch ceilings and panels make installation difficult. Porcelain tiles will make drilling more difficult.
Design flaws, according to consumer reviews, are associated with improper installation or defects of specific manufacturers.
Check out all types of dryers: wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, outdoor.
Standard equipment for the Liana dryer
The number of parts is indicated on the product packaging. You just need to open it before purchasing, count it and make sure everything is in place.
The standard equipment consists of:
- brackets – 2 units;
- ropes – the quantity depends on the size of the “Liana”;
- crossbars;
- side panel for control;
- caps.
Dimensions
On the modern market you can find Liana dryers of various sizes. In many ways, the parameters depend on the manufacturer. The width of the product usually varies from 1.4 to 2 meters. As for the length of the tubes and the design itself, a large number of different options are possible. The most common minimum length is 1.3 m. Standard sizes also include the following: 140 cm; 150 cm; 160 cm; 170 cm; 180 cm; 190 cm; 200 cm.
However, the smallest option are dryers with a length of 50 centimeters. The maximum size of “Liana” is 3 meters.
Types of "Lian"
“Lianas” differ in parameters: size, installation method, control method, material. Let's consider each option in detail.
Block clothes dryers
Block or ceiling “Lianas” usually consist of 4 or 5 metal crossbars. A distinctive feature is that the crossbars are fixed together, they do not fall one by one. Consequently, the design is controlled by a single cord.
Photo: mechanical balcony hanger for sushi linen “Liana”
Such structures have specific operating features. For example:
- The laundry will take longer to dry because all the slats are on the same level, which ensures a high humidity environment around the structure.
- Linen must be hung evenly, as it is easy for the structure to become skewed.
Electric models of hangers "Liana"
Electric balcony hangers "Liana" are equipped with automatic shutdown under heavy loads. That is, if there is a lot of laundry loaded, “Liana” turns off the control after the crossbars rise to their place. It turns back on when the laundry dries and becomes lighter. This function was created to avoid damage to the dryer from loads that it was not designed to withstand.
Photo of the balcony electric wall hanger “Liana”
Modern designs of electric dryers are equipped with mechanisms for supplying warm air. The air sensor is installed on the ceiling and the bars are adjusted to the optimal height for drying. If necessary, the height of the bars can be adjusted so that the laundry dries faster. The distance between the rods also increases.
The latest Lian models are equipped with ultraviolet lamps, which manage to disinfect things during the drying process.
The best choice is Liana dryers with crossbars that differ in height. This structure of the crossbars helps dry clothes of different sizes and weights. The lower rods are for drying bulky items, the upper rods are for T-shirts and light laundry.
Video
After watching the video, you will become familiar with the procedure for installing a ceiling dryer-liana on the balcony:
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For washing small items on the road or in a hotel, it is convenient to use a regular plastic bag. Socks or tights are kneaded inside a tied bag along with water and a small amount of detergent. This method allows you to pre-soak things and wash them without damaging the fabric or wasting a lot of powder and water.
Washing machines equipped with the “No Iron” or “Easy Iron” functions can wash clothes with little to no wrinkling. This effect is achieved through a special approach to spinning - it is performed at low speeds, with long pauses, and a small amount of water is retained in the tank.
There is a washing machine “for bachelors”. Linen washed in such a unit does not need to be ironed at all! The thing is that the device does not have a drum: some things can be placed inside the container directly on hangers (for example, jackets and shirts), and smaller things (for example, underwear and socks) can be placed on special shelves.
There are a variety of balls that are used in the washing machine. Antistatic ones will prevent the fabric from sticking to the body after washing, balls with special loops will “comb” the lint and prevent the appearance of pills, and silicone ones with pimples will prevent fluff from matting when washing outerwear.
Washing machines have something to do with the origin of the expression “money laundering.” In the 1930s, American gangsters used a network of laundries as a cover for their illegal activities. By passing off the proceeds of crime as proceeds from cleaning clothes, they turned “dirty” money into “clean” money.
Which models of Liana dryers should I choose?
In addition to individual preferences, such as color, control, pay attention to the volume of laundry to dry, the drum of the washing machine. Multiply the volume of the drums by 2-3 times, this will be the weight of the laundry at the time of hanging. A dryer that is not suitable for its load-bearing capacity will quickly fail.
When choosing “Liana”, consider not only your needs and preferences, but also the technical characteristics of the balcony or loggia.
Prepare before going to the store:
- balcony size . A narrow balcony or the wrong choice of dryer blocks the opening of the window sashes. It is recommended to mark the opening boundaries and measure the size for the “Liana” so that opening the window does not interfere with the dryer raising and lowering the laundry.
- construction material. Choose metal rods when the volume of laundry to be dried per time is more than 7 kilograms.
- Among metal crossbars, give preference to stainless steel. Aluminum crossbars can be coated with paint; due to frequent contact with a humid environment and warm air, after a while the paint begins to peel off and stain the laundry. Aluminum itself is subject to deformation. Steel bars are also susceptible to paint peeling, but do not stain laundry. And steel is practically not subject to deformation;
- thickness of control ropes. There is also a load on the rope. If the rope is thin, problems arise when lifting the bars. Thin ropes wear out faster, fray and break. Restoration requires additional funds, since the kit does not include spare parts. Braided ropes add strength and durability.
- distance to the outlet if the dryer is electric. Consider the length of the dryer cord.
Ideally, a rope woven from several layers of strong thread.
- clamps . Durable retainers are made of plastic or metal;
- manufacturer . European, Russian, and Chinese models are presented on the market. They have weak combs, soft plastic fasteners, and a thin rope. As a rule, the price corresponds to the quality and functionality.
Expert opinion
Krasnova Lyubov Borisovna
Cleaning company manager
Consider the volume of the washing machine. The larger the chamber of the washing machine, the larger and stronger the “Liana” is chosen.
How to install a Liana dryer with your own hands?
To hang a balcony dryer, clean and dry the installation surface. Prepare your tools and dryer.
Installation instructions:
- make notes in the places where the brackets will be installed;
- the distance between the brackets is equal to the length of the crossbar;
- Make holes on the markings with a drill;
- install support parts on rollers;
- close the caps;
- installation of fixing parts;
- pass the ropes through the supporting parts;
- put on a “comb” if the design requires it;
- put caps on the ropes.
Experiment with the installation height during installation. After installation, test the functionality: hang a full load of laundry. If the structure has held up, it means it is ready for use.
Typical “Lianas” made of plastic can withstand up to 7 kg of laundry, and metal ones - up to 12 kg.
Replacing ropes
Over time, the cords wear out and fray, so you have to install new ones. To determine the required length, you need to do the following:
- Multiply the size of the bar by 2.
- Measure the distance from the clamp on the wall to the ceiling and also double it.
- Add up the numbers and add 1.5 meters to the result.
To change the rope, it is not necessary to follow the same steps as during installation. The end of the cord is tied to a piece of the old one and pulled through all the necessary holes. This makes replacing dryer ropes much easier.
If you have any problems...
If problems arise during operation, check:
- rope tension level, the problem appears when the measurement is incorrect;
What type of Liana is installed on your balcony?
ElectricalMechanical
- If the structure has collapsed to the floor, check the fasteners. Often the dowel-nails that come with cheap models are unreliable. In such cases, you will have to separately purchase suitable fasteners;
If the installation is done correctly, then “Liana” will work properly and will not cause trouble to the owners.
Common installation errors
Often, beginners make mistakes, which subsequently lead to a violation of the integrity of the “Liana” or to its dismantling. The most common errors are:
- Carrying out incorrect calculations. This results in over- or under-tensioning of the bars. To solve the problem, you need to take correct measurements before installing the clothes dryer.
- Incorrect selection and installation of fasteners. Very often there are situations when the self-tapping screws are not fixed deep enough in the wall, or their diameter does not match the diameter of the hole. To solve the problem, you need to select the correct diameter of the drill and screws. For a 6 mm drill, it is necessary to select dowels of the same size that will fit tightly into the hole.
- Using dowel nails. The structure, secured by these elements, will last literally until the first drying, after which it will collapse under the weight of the laundry.
Rules for operating a balcony dryer
Proper care of your dryer will extend its service life.
Operating rules:
- if the laces become thin or stretched, replace the laces before they break;
- Wipe the crossbars dry after drying to prevent rust;
- If the gears are acting up, then lifting the crossbars becomes more difficult. Change gears;
- if the brackets are loose on the fasteners, change the fasteners and re-fix them;
- If the rods begin to creak, then fill the base of the rods with technical oil.
Expert opinion
Krasnova Lyubov Borisovna
Cleaning company manager
The necessary parts are sold in specialized stores. Replacing parts does not require special knowledge; repair work can be carried out independently.