I purchased this Natural Pine Linen Bin from Argos, almost two years ago. I bought it with the intention of keeping it in my bedroom, which was then decorated in neutral colours. I thought this would blend in perfectly, and provide a convenient place for dirty clothes.

I'm not sure exactly what I paid but expect that it was probably priced at the amount that it currently sells for, £6.99. It would have been around that price anyway.

I remember buying quite a few things on this occasion. The difficult part was undertaken by using the computer and reserving the items to collect the following day. This has become my favoured way to shop at Argos and I would recommend it to other shoppers. It's so easy to choose items and then to check whether they are available from a chosen store. If the item isn't available you can, in the comfort of your own home, choose an alternative store which has it in stock. If these options don't suit, then at least you haven't wasted your time going to a store for an item that isn't available you're your item is currently in stock then it will be reserved for you. I usually go to a store, taking the order number (this can be emailed to you or sent via text message to your mobile, or both, once you've reserved the item. Once in store, it's easy to quickly fill in the slip and pay at a machine by debit or credit card and then, shortly, collect the purchase. I find, even if you' have ordered multiple items they are usually to be seen on the counter quickly, when purchasing in this way.

The linen bin is light in weight so wasn't a problem to carry the short distance to the car (Some Argos stores offer a roof top pick up point if parking is difficult and you have heavy or awkward to carry goods).
On arriving home, hubby (I must sound like a hopeless female!) quickly assembled the linen bin. It is flat packed for home assembly. Although it's called a linen bin I think of it more as a basket or holdall. On putting together he did remark that not all holes for the screws were perfectly aligned but, for the price we weren't really surprised.

I thought when this was set up and placed in a corner of my bedroom that it looked quite nice, especially with the cream coloured cotton inner bag. This bag is detachable and covers over. Being removable is a good idea as it can be washed.

As this linen bin is quite light it is possible to move it around. I sometimes carried it down with the dirty laundry inside to sort it, and place directly into the washing machine in the kitchen. Anything not being washed immediately can be put back.

What I did find was that it looked better than it really was in terms of quality. The pine wooden structure isn't at all strong. After a few times of filling it with towels to be laundered it began to sag. It certainly didn't look so good when this happened.

Another downside to this was that when not folded it took up a little too much room in my bedroom. Not that it is that large but the wooden legs did prove a little hazardous and resulted in a bad word or two from hubby getting past this bin on one dark morning.

I decided to use it instead for an ironing bag. I think this is a better purpose, as the clothes inside are more likely to be completely dry and therefore lighter in weight. This bag is not suitable for too much or too many heavy items. But the trouble is I do tend to let the ironing mount up. When I figure I have no alternative but to get out the ironing board from its home along with the, often overfilling waiting ironing. If you are an orderly person and iron regularly then you may find this a good product. The real beauty of it is that when the ironing (or washing) is complete leaving the bag either empty or almost so, the linen bin can be then be folded and put out of the way. In its folded state it requires very little space. Even full and when not folded, this linen bin fits into my under stair's cupboard, along with its friend, the ironing board. So it can be quite handy.

I believe this would be useful to store items other than laundry, such as soft toys, craft items etc. I would have reservations about recommending this product owing to it being not that sturdy or of great quality. However, it is cheap and can be useful. I think probably I would recommend it but only if explaining its limitations.

For further information on this, or similar items available from Argos, or for information on reserve and collect service, please take a look at the website, www.argos.co.uk


Features, as taken from taken from this website:

* Removable polycotton bag with fastening lid.

* Folds for storage.

* Size (H) 69, (W) 42, (D) 42cm.

* Packed flat for self-assembly.