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Original poster

Drying clothes in winter

140 replies

Primarkcouture · 14/11/2024 21:19

I have the heated airer, the dehumidifier and no less than 3 socktopuses. But no tumble dryer and no space for one. Spring, summer and into Autumn I'm line drying then finishing off in the heated airer and dehumidifier. Both taking up space in the living room.

AIBU for not knowing where to begin drying clothes in the flipping British winter?

Tempted to build an outbuilding for drying purposes or failing that moving to a hot country where I can dry my clothes outside all year round.

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 16/11/2024 07:17

We have a washer drier and it's great in the winter

Hercisback1 · 16/11/2024 07:15

buffyspikefaithangel · 16/11/2024 01:32

I'm in Lancashire and when I see people say a heated airer or dehumidifier dries their clothes in 4hrs I'm like... how?!

Show quote history

They probably have a house set to 20 plus degrees at all times.

Seymour5 · 16/11/2024 07:08

Lemonademoney · 15/11/2024 22:12

We have a rail in our airing cupboard and it’s amazing for drying stuff in winter

We had one in our previous home, it was great! But we have a combi boiler where we are now, so no airing cupboard. I really miss it.

BoxOfCats · 16/11/2024 02:40

Could you stack a dryer on top of your washing machine? I just have mine on top. It's a heat pump dryer so similar to a condenser doesn't need to be ventilated outside.

buffyspikefaithangel · 16/11/2024 01:32

coxesorangepippin · 15/11/2024 01:35

I can understand this

I'm originally from Lancashire and every time I go back (live abroad) I cannot get over how ardous it is getting stuff dry

The tumble dryer is the size of a microwave, and it is always damp. Always always

I'm in Lancashire and when I see people say a heated airer or dehumidifier dries their clothes in 4hrs I'm like... how?!

StrongFemaleCharacter · 16/11/2024 01:15

I've just checked my machine and it doesn't actually have a spin cycle! It's really annoying, I didn't think it had. It's a Bosch as well.

sparkleroo · 15/11/2024 23:44

Not sure which heated airer you have op, I have one from Lakeland & it dries really fast & even faster with the cover on. Can dry 5/6 pairs of jeans hoodies etc in 4/ 5 hours with the cover on. Couldn't be without it now. It wasn't cheap but resolved my issue of drying in winter & I no longer need a tumble dryer. I dry loads of towels on it too.

TiramisuThief · 15/11/2024 22:39

Extra spin in the machine & line dry as much as I can. I have 2 long lines in the garden so can dry loads at a time.

This week has been great weather so I have done a load every day this week pegged out before I start work and it's dry when I finish apart from stuff like jeans

I have a tumble dryer but I try to only use it for towels really. Washing does build up in rainy/ damp weather ngl.

ExitPursuedByABare · 15/11/2024 22:31

<strokes Aga>

Superhansrantowindsor · 15/11/2024 22:30

Got the Lakeland airer with cover. Very disappointing. I’m saving up for a dehumidifier

Notyouthful · 15/11/2024 22:26

Also make sure you have a window open or if you have vents in windows, have them open. My previous neighbour never did this and when new neighbour moved in, I showed him
how to operate the timer controller as previous neighbour didn’t leave it behind. There was mould everywhere. I said she never had windows open even in the hot weather.

Hercisback1 · 15/11/2024 22:20

Primarkcouture · 15/11/2024 21:15

Thanks for all the suggestions.

To those asking about the spinning. I always do an extra spin or two on 1400. By sopping wet I just meant wet out of the machine even after a spin or two, compared to being semi dry following a day on the line outside.

I've now discovered condensation mould in a corner near the heated airer, that's despite a top of the line dehumidifier and windows being open for most of the day.

Two times this week I've put off doing the laundry. Such misery.

I may bite the bullet and buy a tumble dryer. Although god knows where I'll put it.

Don't open the window when using the dehumidifier. Did you not read the instructions?

You're essentially paying to dry nothing if the window is open with a dehumidifier. You need a closed box that the dehumidifier can take all the moisture out of the air, and then eventually walls etc.

Notyouthful · 15/11/2024 22:20

I hate people using radiators to dry clothes. Firstly it looks awful and read this www.onlyradiators.co.uk/blog/heating-essentials/drying-clothes-on-a-radiator

NotMeNoNo · 15/11/2024 22:18

We have an old fashioned vented tumble drier and a ceiling airer in a well ventilated garage. But if you have space to build a small carport type shelter with a clear roof (so it gets the sun) you could string washing lines in it.

IncessantNameChanger · 15/11/2024 22:14

We have a condenser dryer in our airing cupboard upstairs. My sister had a normal dryer in an outside plastic storage box ( big storage box bike sized). I put things on the line for as long as possible across the year. When it's damp and cold like now I blast the non tumble dry things in the drier for 15 minutes then hang them up in my side landing window.

Lemonademoney · 15/11/2024 22:12

We have a rail in our airing cupboard and it’s amazing for drying stuff in winter

Katemax82 · 15/11/2024 22:08

Calamitousness · 14/11/2024 21:29

I have a tumble drier I use for most things but the clothes that are more delicate I don’t like to tumble I use this https://beldray.com/heated-pod-drying-system/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAonwFbqxcR4oM04uHKnc9hriHVuIJ&gclid=CjwKCAiA3Na5BhAZEiwAzrfagLEemlnDeDqaGWG67pI7Tj9YzcKuWsnVDbUDpCywL4tdAkWawmCt_xoCpW0QAvD_BwE
it’s much better than the heated airer. I gave that away. This dries things in an hour or so.

Omg I need one!

movingtoreading · 15/11/2024 22:07

I had no problems with it being in the garage in cold weather . Is on a wooden plank not directly on the floor and the vent goes outside

HowYouSpellingThat10 · 15/11/2024 21:38

Primarkcouture · 15/11/2024 21:17

I'm considering getting a shed or outhouse but read that tumble dryers don't operate well in a cold environment. At least I would have somewhere to put the flipping heated airer though.

Show quote history

Sorry missed this. Well my vented one has been outside a decade and no one has told it this! I live in north Scotland so not warm.

I do have it on a shelf (off cut of worktop) so it is well away from the cold concrete floor.

HowYouSpellingThat10 · 15/11/2024 21:34

Do you have a shed? I have a small size tumble dryer in mine.

Or a top flat section of bannister? I got three of the drying racks that hook over with five rails each. I don't like to dry fully indoors but they work well for finishing off.

mewkins · 15/11/2024 21:25

Imnotarestaurant · 14/11/2024 21:57

I still dry my washing outside in the winter. It might come back in a bit damp still but then doesn’t take long to finish drying inside.

Me too. The dry cold days are surprisingly good for drying sheets and towels. I bring in when it starts to get dark and they finish drying on the airer over night.

stargazerlil · 15/11/2024 21:19

I’ve got a condensing tumble dryer in the box room upstairs. Doesn’t need venting to the outside. It so much easier than lugging washing onto rails and lines.

Original poster
Primarkcouture · 15/11/2024 21:17

movingtoreading · 15/11/2024 21:12

I pit a dryer in the garage ! Couldn't bear the clothes everywhere any longer.

Show quote history

I'm considering getting a shed or outhouse but read that tumble dryers don't operate well in a cold environment. At least I would have somewhere to put the flipping heated airer though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Primarkcouture · 15/11/2024 21:15

Thanks for all the suggestions.

To those asking about the spinning. I always do an extra spin or two on 1400. By sopping wet I just meant wet out of the machine even after a spin or two, compared to being semi dry following a day on the line outside.

I've now discovered condensation mould in a corner near the heated airer, that's despite a top of the line dehumidifier and windows being open for most of the day.

Two times this week I've put off doing the laundry. Such misery.

I may bite the bullet and buy a tumble dryer. Although god knows where I'll put it.

OP posts:
movingtoreading · 15/11/2024 21:12

Primarkcouture · 14/11/2024 21:19

I have the heated airer, the dehumidifier and no less than 3 socktopuses. But no tumble dryer and no space for one. Spring, summer and into Autumn I'm line drying then finishing off in the heated airer and dehumidifier. Both taking up space in the living room.

AIBU for not knowing where to begin drying clothes in the flipping British winter?

Tempted to build an outbuilding for drying purposes or failing that moving to a hot country where I can dry my clothes outside all year round.

I pit a dryer in the garage ! Couldn't bear the clothes everywhere any longer.