The cold, damp autumn and winter months can make drying clothes and bedding a challenge, particularly when you don’t have a tumble dryer. In summer, drying clothes is much easier as your homes and garden are naturally warmer, so clothes can air dry quickly.
However, drying clothes indoors at this time of year can take up a lot of room and a lot of time, often leaving your laundry with that damp and musty scent. To speed up the drying time and keep your laundry in one place indoors, cleaning enthusiasts responded to Jane Woods’ post asking for advice with the “best” solution. Jane asked: “Hi all, [what’s the] best item to have to dry clothes and bedding [indoors]?”
All the group members in the comments section, apart from three who recommended a heated airer, all advised Jane to invest in a dehumidifier.
Tracey Howarth said, “I bought a dehumidifier after reading about them on here. It works really well. Give the washing an extra spin on the highest spin speed, place items on my two clothes horses in the spare bedroom, and don’t overcrowd.
“Put the dehumidifier on and close the door, washing is dry in about three hours, and it doesn’t cost an arm. and a leg. I do have a tumble dryer, but I only use it for underwear and towels.”
Ann Pierce wrote: “I have a dehumidifier with laundry mode. It’s fabulous. Some items are dry in less than an hour. I like to hang laundry outside when the weather is good, but for indoor drying, this is brilliant. I’d never be without 1 now. I don’t have space for a tumble dryer.”
Trish Algar said: “Last year, [I bought] a Meaco dehumidifier. It’s just fab. Only use the tumble dryer for sheets and towels.”
Linda Sweeney commented: “Dehumidifier, wish I had bought one years ago for drying the washing. It’s a game-changer.”
Shirley Dolan said: “I dry my laundry with a dehumidifier, and it costs me 5p to dry when the clothes have been on the line and 12 to 18p from the washing machine. Amazing.”
One of the leading dehumidifier brands, Meaco, claims that dehumidifiers are an “incredibly cheap way to dry your clothes efficiently and quickly “without having to spend a huge amount of money. What’s more, it’s also “softer on the clothes as opposed to that harsh heat you get from a tumble dryer”.