Towel racks have been used in kitchens and bathrooms for years. Often two, three or four arm versions would be seen in every household to hold the drying cloths and hand towels, which were changed regularly. They usually had a ribbed covering on the steel shaft, designed to prevent the towels and drying cloths from slipping off.

Most homes had towel racks as a standard item and this was the most humble natural drying system apart from washing lines. Washing lines, a feature of every back garden with their stretcher poles with the cut out Vee in the end to hoist the washing line up as high as possible to catch the wind. Of course the washing line was fabulous when the sun shone and the wind blew gently so the laundry dried naturally in the shortest time possible. Indeed my own Grandmother used to say You can always tell the difference with clothes dried outside in a good blow.

Then came the ceiling mounted pulley airer usually mounted in kitchens and useful in winter or in wet weather. However it caused space problems in the kitchen especially when bed linen was washed and hung down like an obstacle. Often meals were eaten in the kitchen and when combined with damp washing hanging overhead it could prove something of an obstacle course. Apart from this the clothes then smelled of the food being cooked, especially the aroma of beautiful soups or Spaghetti Bolognaise. Somehow clothes dried in the kitchen were never quite as fresh as those dried outside on washing lines on a good sunny day.

With the coming of the tumble dryer many families switched to this. It was seen as the appliance of convenience. Today, however, the vast energy used in an electric tumble dryer creates a hefty electric bill and makes a large addition to our carbon footprint.

The ceiling dryer has thankfully been overtaken by wall mounted drying racks and freestanding mini - over the bath racks or maxi - portable, heavy duty drying racks. Like the old clothes horse these heavy duty, ultra portable, drying racks can be used indoors or outdoors and are made of strong materials that withstand heavy use for many years. Thousands are used in camping parks throughout Europe, home to growing active families with constant heavy use.

It is easy to fall in love with these different clothes drying racks. They have so many admirable qualities and it all began with the humble towel holders. Well you know they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder or in this case towel holder.