Martin Lewis, the money-saving expert, has labelled tumble dryers a 'demon appliance' due to their high running costs, which can reach up to £1 per hour. He recommends using a dehumidifier as a cheaper alternative for drying clothes.
One journalist decided to test this advice, investing in a HOMCOM dehumidifier reduced from £179.99 to £119.99 on Debenhams. The machine offers dehumidification and dry clothing modes, with adjustable fan speed and humidity settings between 40% and 80%.
Using the dehumidifier alongside a heated airer, the journalist found that after just two hours, the machine had extracted significant moisture from towels, leaving large parts dry. The dehumidifier costs approximately 6p per hour to run, while the heated airer costs 9p per hour—both far cheaper than a tumble dryer.
The HOMCOM model has a 3.7L removable tank and can extract up to 16 litres of moisture per day, suitable for areas up to 20 square metres. It features an automatic shut-off to prevent overflow. While it produces some noise, the white noise was noted to settle a nervous dog.
Other dehumidifier deals include the HUMSURE 12-litre model on Amazon for £119.99 and the Alivio 10L Energy Saving Portable Dehumidifier on Wowcher for £79, down from £299.
