What is an "airing cupboard"?

Answer by  manicpanicchick (24)

a cupboard, or wardrobe sized confined area where a water heater is stored. "airing" comes from the tradition of hanging up damp clothes and/or linen to dry in this area

Answer by  kristin66 (174)

It is a large built in wardrobe used to dry wet clothing. It contains a water heater and allows for the circulation of heat throughout the wardrobe to help dry the clothing. There is slatted shelves placed above and around the heater to place clothes, towels, and linens on to dry.

Answer by  mammakat (11147)

Better known in British households, or pre-WWII America, it is usually the closet under the stairs containing the hot water heater- damp clothes were hung here to dry in the tank's heat and "air", as there was no basement to hang lines in, and hanging clothes out in damp weather wasn't practical.