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Original poster

Winter clothes drying routine

107 replies

teaandtoast2 · 15/09/2023 11:59

It's been fine over the summer drying clothes on the line outside but in the winter we don't have enough radiator space, and things don't dry quickly (we only have the heating on if it's really really bitter, and even then just an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening).

We don't have a dryer but we are now a family of 5 (kids aged 5, 3 and 3 months) - we pretty much do a quick 15mins wash most days.

Anyway send me your winter drying tips!

Thank you xx

OP posts:
BHRK · 15/09/2023 18:35

3 kids here, we have an eco tumble dryer. Can’t imagine life without it and it’s not expensive to run

Upanddownthemerrygoround · 15/09/2023 18:36

Family of five, no tumbler, Teo frequent bedwetters, live in a dryish bit of the country and work from home so…

Out on a day with any hint of wind…
use the Lakeland heated airer, turning half way through.

user1471538283 · 15/09/2023 18:39

Unless it's raining or the ground is wet I dry outside. We've now got a little conservatory and small things will dry in there. I think I will need a dryer though for bed linen and towels on wet days.

YouJustDoYou · 15/09/2023 18:41

We have a dehumidifier and a clothes horse we put over it (family of 5), it dries clothes so fast and efficiently, we don't even touch the tumble dryer anymore.

Maireas · 15/09/2023 18:42

BIossomtoes · 15/09/2023 14:01

Tumble dryer all the way. I saw a comparison of running costs with heated airers and the dryer came out slightly cheaper.

Exactly, plus it's so convenient, cuts down drying time, and the house isn't damp or festooned with washing. Sheets and towels - and everything else - soft and dry in no time. Bliss.

cptartapp · 15/09/2023 18:45

We use the many radiators and just open the windows during the day. Turn once or twice. Only takes an hour or so anyway.

WellThisIsFun1 · 15/09/2023 18:47

Washing gets planned based on weather - if it's dry outside a load goes on and goes out, even if it doesn't dry fully as it's cold.

Gets finished off overnight on a clothes horse.

Hercisback · 15/09/2023 18:50

How can a tumble dryer be cheaper than a heated airer?

We do strategic washing.... A nice day gets at least one load hung out. Weekend dry days with wind get more.

Heated airer and dehumidifier dries stuff pretty quickly.

Stop doing 15 min washes, you'll permanently have washing everywhere!

Maireas · 15/09/2023 18:51

Because you have the tumble dryer on for less time.

Maireas · 15/09/2023 18:52

Why would you stop doing 15 minute washes? They're often all that's needed.

WombatBombat · 15/09/2023 18:52

If it’s getting clean in a 15 min wash, is it actually dirty enough to need a wash?

Maireas · 15/09/2023 18:54

Sometimes you need to wash items which doesn't need an hour. 15 mins is fine.

xyz111 · 15/09/2023 18:55

I hang everything up in doorways upstairs. Seems to work better than over a clothes horse.

Bumblebee2022 · 15/09/2023 18:57

Family of 5 here, with 3 adult sized teens. I’ve got two airers and last year I bought a frying rack thing that hangs on the radiator. It doesn’t block the heat, but I found it really good for things like T-shirts and tea towels. I’ve also got a dehumidifier and always put that on for a couple of hours when I hang the washing on the airers. I’ve also got three of those peg rings/octopuses for pants and socks. I hang anything small ish on it, flannels, cloths, tea towels, boxer shorts and hang them off the curtain pole, it’s a bit warmer in the sun.

Desecratedcoconut · 15/09/2023 18:59

But a 15minute wash isn't really 15 minutes, it like 8 minutes to wash, four minutes to rinse and three minutes to spin.

BIossomtoes · 15/09/2023 19:01

Maireas · 15/09/2023 18:54

Sometimes you need to wash items which doesn't need an hour. 15 mins is fine.

This. Sometimes things aren’t particularly dirty and just need freshening up after a couple of wears. Clothes last longer with shorter washes.

Torganer · 15/09/2023 19:03

we have a clothes horse and dehumidifier in a room on the top floor and they dry very quickly. The dehumidifier is so cheap to run, less than 10p for 24hrs running time.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 15/09/2023 19:05

A dyer. I have two young kids. Would be lost without it in the winter

HarrietPoole · 15/09/2023 19:51

PilatesPeach · 15/09/2023 13:44

For those of you with a Lakeland heated airer, do you also have a cover for it please? thank you

Nope, we just chuck a sheet over it and it works fine.

RedRobyn2021 · 15/09/2023 20:00

Cheeesus · 15/09/2023 12:07

Up high where all the warm air is! We have two of these wooden ceiling maiden thingies.

https://amzn.to/3PAYhkJ

I have one of these too they are good, especially for little people clothes as they fit more on haha

Barkybarkynutnut · 15/09/2023 20:01

Bigger drummed dryer. Eco balls and clean dry towel reduces drying time by 30%. Hanging items on hangers and putting on rails. Once a week journey to laundrette for heavy items like towels with tin of G&T and a book!

Lavendersquare · 16/09/2023 09:15

Do you have a garage or dry outbuilding?

If you do, rig up an indoor washing line, put your wet washing on it and 24hrs later it's all dry. I used to do this before I had a utility room with a tumble drier and it works a treat, and you don't have damp washing all around the house.

An easy way to do this is to put a rotary line in a parasol base - you're welcome 😃

RampantIvy · 16/09/2023 09:21

If you do, rig up an indoor washing line, put your wet washing on it and 24hrs later it's all dry.

That doesn't work where I live as I live in a rather damp part of the UK. When the atmosphere is damp my washing just doesn't dry. I use my conservatory, but have to use a dehumidifier to get rid of the damp.

Missedmytoe · 16/09/2023 09:24

If its a dry winter day, my washing still gets hung out.

I usually give it an extra spin to get rid of a much water as possible.

If its raining outside then it goes on a clothes horse in front of the radiator/ over the banisters/ on hangers in doorways or windows/ on hangers in the airing cupboard.

However, if drying things indoors, then I usually need windows open later to get rid of some of the damp, and heating on high whilst drying.

A friend of mine has 2 heated dryer racks and runs those in tandem, alongside a dehumidifier.

Hedgehog23 · 16/09/2023 09:26

We do have a tumble dryer but also a heated drying rack (and cover) and a dehumidifier.