A mother has shared a simple hack that can dry laundry in as little as three hours without using a tumble dryer or central heating, offering a cost-effective solution for winter drying. The tip involves using a clothes airer paired with a dehumidifier, a combination that many users on the Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It Facebook page have praised.
The hack was prompted by a query from Natalie Jones, who asked for the best way to dry clothes in winter without a tumble dryer. The post received 210 suggestions, with dozens recommending the airer and dehumidifier method. Emma Gardiner commented: “Heated airer and a dehumidifier work perfectly, they are a godsend.”
Running a tumble dryer can cost around £184.44 per year for a vented model or £178.93 for a condenser type, according to Haier. In contrast, dehumidifiers use less electricity, making them a cheaper alternative. Kirsty Walterson added: “I’ve got a clothes horse and dehumidifier. When I can I get it outside even if a couple of hours.”
Other tips include giving clothes an extra spin cycle to remove excess water before drying. Katherine Ruth advised: “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 noted that her family of seven manages through winter with a clothes horse and dehumidifier in a closed room.
