WoW! Homes: Six ways to dry your clothes without a tumble dryer
A dehumidifier next to a clothes airer with freshly laundered clothing hanging from it in a domestic room at home.
Cold and rainy winter days are bad enough when you don’t have to do the laundry. But when you’ve got a full load of clean but wet washing to dry, the dull and damp winter weather can cause a real headache.
Many homeowners resort to using a tumble dryer, which is one of the most “energy-thirsty” appliances in the household.
But it’s a cost that can easily be reduced.
Cleaning content creator Laura Mountford, @lauracleanaholic who is author of and cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey, who specialises in domestic cleaning and laundry, and works with the UK's MyJobQuote share their tips on the best ways to dry clothes without using an energy-gobbling tumble dryer…
Drying your clothes on the washing line outdoors is the fastest and most effective way of drying your clothes, says Dempsey, although she concedes: “this method may not always be an option, especially during the winter months.”
While heat can, of course, help with drying, and sunlight is the most effective way to evaporate moisture from your clothes, she says good airflow is equally important
Mountford added: “If you have outdoor space to dry your clothes then as soon as the rain stops, make the most of it and hang that laundry out to dry as soon as possible. A gentle breeze is what will effectively dry your clothes, so don’t be put off drying outdoors even if it might not be bright, sunny weather.”
Both experts say heated airers are one of the best and cheapest ways to dry clothes indoors.
“Last year I finally decided to invest in a heated airer and it has honestly transformed my laundry routine – I don’t know why I didn’t get one sooner," says Mountford.
“This is a much more effective way to dry clothes than hanging them on the radiators to dry, which prevents them from heating your rooms properly.”
And Dempsey agrees: “During the winter especially, a heated clothes airer is the most efficient option. But make sure to space the clothes at least an inch apart and turn them occasionally for even drying – this will give you the best results.”
These use no energy at all as clothes are dried by the ambient warmth in your home. Dempsey points out that they can help you save floor space, and fold away for easy storage.
There are little tricks you can use to help speed up laundry drying, including extracting excess water with an extra spin cycle at the end of the wash.
As well as adding an extra spin cycle, Dempsey suggests shaking clothes well after removing them from the washing machine for better aeration, putting delicate items on hangers to allow more clothes to dry at once and prevent wrinkles, and hanging laundry immediately after washing to prevent odours and mould growth.
Drying clothes on a radiator can increase the humidity, warns Dempsey.
“Radiator drying can significantly increase your energy bills,” she says. “But if you must use a radiator to dry your clothes, use a radiator drying rack with a dehumidifier to help control the moisture levels.”
It’s a good idea to position your wet clothes near an open window or in an otherwise well-ventilated area, and use a dehumidifier to remove any excess moisture from the air, says Dempsey. “This is especially important during winter when it may not be possible to have the windows open for long periods,” she says.
“Place your dehumidifier close to your clothes airer, and this will help dry the clothes more quickly.”
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