Martin Lewis has highlighted a household essential that could make drying clothes indoors cheaper this winter, offering an alternative to relying on an expensive tumble dryer. The Money Saving Expert has previously described tumble dryers as a "demon appliance" because of their considerable electricity consumption, and insists there is a more cost-effective way to get washing dry when it is too cold to hang it outside.
Dehumidifier as a cost-saving alternative
While using a clothes horse can leave garments feeling damp and smelling musty, Martin Lewis maintains it remains one of the most affordable options available. He does, however, recommend combining it with a dehumidifier, which works by drawing excess moisture from the air.
Not only could this help clothes dry considerably faster, but it may also prove far cheaper to run than a tumble dryer. According to Heatable, a tumble dryer can cost up to 61.7p per hour to run, while a 10L dehumidifier costs around 2.1p per hour.
However, running costs can differ depending on the model, energy efficiency and frequency of use, so it is worth researching the figures before committing to a purchase.
Homeowners share their tips
Taking to social media, homeowners have been sharing their tips for drying clothes during the winter months to avoid unwanted odours. One user said: "Spin your clothes once or twice after wash cycle on high spin to get rid of excess water and that cuts drying time significantly."
Echoing Lewis' recommendation, another user added: "Get a dehumidifier. They are very small, fairly quiet and very cheap to run. What they do is 'inhale' all the damp air and pump out warm dry air. This dries out everything - not just washing, but the cold damp that is inside your walls. I run mine every day, (not all day, just a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening). Seriously, it'll be a game changer for you, and you'll be amazed at how much water it collects."
One user commented: "I've found that a fan pointing towards my regular three-tier airer and a dehumidifier work really well." A further user said: "I ran my dehumidifier for six solid weeks before the damp was out of my room. The damp is in your clothes, carpet, walls and furniture. Once its out, run the dehumidifier in winter every time you dry your clothes."
