How to dry clothes fast indoors without tumble dryer or heating to avoid damp smells | Express.co.uk

Laundry can be quite a chore, but more so when the weather is at its worst during late autumn and winter.

While some families rely heavily on tumble dryers at this time, there’s a growing number who are ditching them to save energy and cut costs.

The annual cost of running vented tumble dryers is around £184.44, with condenser types coming in slightly less at £178.93, according to Haier.

A query was posed on the popular Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It Facebook page, seeking advice on drying laundry without this costly appliance: “Best way to dry clothes in winter with no tumble dryer?" asked Natalie Jones, prompting an influx of over 210 suggestions from the group.

Most members were quick to promote using a common airer teamed with a dehumidifier for efficient drying.

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One impressed homeowner, Emma Gardiner, shared: “Heated airer and a dehumidifier work perfectly, they are a godsend.”

Kirsty Walterson agreed, adding her experience: “I’ve got a clothes horse and dehumidifier. When I can I get it outside even if a couple of hours.”

Another tip came from Stephanie Roberts, who raved: “Airer and a dehumidifier - it is a game changer! Dries so quick and the clothes smell so fresh.”

Leanne Bedford wrote: “Agreed! I always do this. Can’t beat the combination. It's saved me loads of money.”

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Stacey Brown also vouched for this method: “Dehumidifier and airer is absolutely the best way, I can 90 percent dry two full loads in around three hours and there are no nasty damp smells left on the clothes.”

Katherine Ruth added her hack: “Always put your clothes on an extra spin after washing to remove excess water and put it on an airer to dry. It's dry quicker if you use a dehumidifier too.”

Karen Bowerman revealed her family's savvy trick: “Clothes horse and dehumidifier in a closed room, works a treat! Family of seven and we manage like this through the winter.”

Chloe Miller shared her household win: “We got rid of our tumble and bought an airer and dehumidifier. Best thing we've done, so much cheaper and can be packed away when we aren't using them.”

While dehumidifiers might seem pricey at first glance, they're actually a bargain compared to the running costs of tumble dryers or cranking up the heating.

It turns out that opting for a dehumidifier over a tumble dryer is a real money-saver. On average, a dehumidifier set to laundry mode chews through about 650 watts a fraction of the hefty 4,000 watts you’d expect from a tumble dryer.

Sure, a dehumidifier may take its time compared to a tumble dryer, but when it comes to saving pennies, it’s the clear winner.

The Oypla Electric Extendable Heated Folding Clothes Horse from Amazon has received an impressive four-star out of five rating from shoppers. The airer features 20 heated bars, plenty of space for drying clothes and towels, and is lightweight for easy transportation.

According to Dunelm, this £40 Heated Airer with wings costs just 5p to run. Designed with fold-out wings for extra drying space, this heated airer allows you to dry your clothes quickly and has low energy consumption. This design is suitable for holding up to 10kg of washing with a 12m drying space.

The Absodry Duo Family Moisture Absorber is just £25 and comes in a range of colours to suit any home.

This Portable Electric Dehumidifier is less than £60 from Amazon and has a five-star rating from happy shoppers.