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Are heated airers worth it?

30 replies

ThatNattyPlayer · 18/10/2025 07:22

I’m sick of damp clothes hanging around the house, I have a dryer but it seems to shrink a lot of items so thinking of getting a heated airer but there is so many on the market now not sure which one to get. Any recommendations?

OP posts:
ChocHotolate · 18/10/2025 07:28

I have the Lakeland one. It is big and bulky and a cover (even a duvet cover thrown over the top) is essential, but it does its job well

Growlybear83 · 18/10/2025 07:31

I’ve got the A shaped heated airer from John Lewis. It holds loads of washing and dries it quite quickly. I’ve got a combined washer/ drier but have only ever used the tumble drier four times because the heated airer is so good.

ThatNattyPlayer · 18/10/2025 07:32

How long do they take to dry a load?

OP posts:
Seaforme · 18/10/2025 07:34

I also have the Lakeland one, it does a great job for t shirts, socks, pants, but bulkier items can take a bit of time. Still, would rather have it than not!

Seaforme · 18/10/2025 07:36

12 hours, depending on what you have.

fungibletoken · 18/10/2025 07:37

Another option if your house can get a little damp is to invest in a good dehumidifier (i.e. one with a laundry mode). We bought a Meaco last Autumn and it's been brilliant. Otherwise with a heated airer you are still putting more moisture into the air that needs to go somewhere.

Crunchymum · 18/10/2025 07:44

We use a dehumidifier in the winter.

Doesn't dry the washing per se but speeds up the process. We lack space so in the winter washing is dried in my room and I want to avoid damp.

Hypercatalectic · 18/10/2025 07:46

We have the Lakeland one and no tumble dryer. We tend to load it up with underwear and T-shirts in the evening and it’s dry by morning. It was a game changer for us, I love it. We don’t use the cover. Only really use it once washing can’t dry in the garden.

Janek · 18/10/2025 07:46

Yes, I agree with the dehumidifier, a heated airer is just 'a lot of radiator space', so a good alternative to a normal airer. I think a lot of people have been disappointed by them because what they are not is an alternative to a tumble drier, if you see the difference!

We have a decent airer where stuff can be spread out properly so it can dry, and a dehumidifier so the house doesn't get damp in the process. It works very well at times of year when the heating is on, and improves the drying process when it is not.

BerkleyChoo · 18/10/2025 07:50

I have a Lakeland heated airer and it’s not as effective putting it on the normal airer and running the dehumidifier on full. I’ve just dried a full load overnight this way.

Lanva · 18/10/2025 08:06

I use a dehumidifier with a laundry function. I have a ceiling airer in that room too so can really get a lot done and no need for ironing as they dry flat.

daydi · 18/10/2025 08:12

We have the Lakeland one and to be honest I don’t think it’s great. I find using our dehumidifier in the same room as just a standard airer does a really good job

ThatNattyPlayer · 18/10/2025 09:34

I’m looking into dehumidifiers instead now

OP posts:
TheBlueHotel · 18/10/2025 09:36

I hated mine - never really worked unless you used it for like 5 items max all draped over it and cost a fortune as it was on more or less 24/7. Cheaper and easier to run the tumble dryer.

Mimilamore · 18/10/2025 09:43

I like my heated airer but think there is a knack to drying there… single thickness, then double and turn, then fold again and put on flat part… okay if you have the time to do this, works for me!

user976534679875 · 18/10/2025 09:45

I bought a dehumidifier instead and it’s brilliant.

PuppyMonkey · 18/10/2025 09:47

I rarely use my heated airer any more. In fact I usually just use it unplugged as a clothes horse in the summer when it’s raining etc. I just thought for the amount of hours you have to have it on, it probably works out about the same price as the tumble dryer.

I have two big pull out airers that go over a big radiator I have in my utility room so I dry all the laundry that way in the winter. The radiator is coming on anyway so in my mind it’s not costing anything.

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 18/10/2025 09:47

I have one. But then I also have dehumifidiers in different places in the house. The heated airer was reduced in B&M, own brand I think.

bloodredfeaturewall · 18/10/2025 09:51

you need to consider that it is first and foremost an airer. it will take a lot longer than a tumble dryer.
it works best in an airy environment (the moisture has to go somewhere).

we had one in an unheated, drafty lean-to in our old house and it was great as otherwise that room was useless for anything .

fwiw it could dry 10 pairs of adult size jeans over night.

Flamingmentalcats · 18/10/2025 09:51

We had one and got rid. We have just bought a new dehumidifier with laundry mode. Ran it for about 3 hours and my jeans were practically dry, and other things on the rack dry

TheLette · 18/10/2025 09:52

We sold ours. We prefer a large dehumidifier (which we connect to a large plastic box with lid to act as an overflow tank) in a small room. Dries stuff pretty quickly. Also a Victorian ceiling airer is really handy (especially when combined with a dehumidifier or above the stairs) for drying stuff. We have a small one now due to a loft conversion leaving us with a very small ceiling area in the landing but it can fit sheets and towels.

icebearforpresident · 18/10/2025 09:58

We were given a Drysoon by my MIL after she bought a new version of the one she had. I rarely use it to be honest, it’s a spinning rail with a tent cover, it’s bulky when it’s in use and a pain to store when it’s not. We have a utility room with a pulley that gets a lot of sun so we can get a lot dried there even in winter.

That said, we went on holiday last week, came home with four suitcases of washing and since returning there’s been no sun and no wind, just dull, slightly damp weather. We’ve been hanging stuff out during the day then finishing it in the Drysoon in the evening, it’s good for lighter items that just need finishing off.

We also have a dehumidifier that’s been running to try and help get things dry but despite it having a laundry setting it’s been pretty useless, had it running a whole day and everything was just as wet as it was when I put it on.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 18/10/2025 10:04

I really recommend the dribuddi from JML, my parents had one so I bought one, not bulky like the Lakeland one, dried a wash in 2 hours on hangers and bonus it warms the house at the same time and the clothes don’t need ironing as they’ve dried on hangers. I absolutely rave about mine.

Garamousalata · 18/10/2025 10:06

I have the Lakeland one. I love it.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 18/10/2025 10:06

I bought a Lakeland heated airer for dds (house sharing at the time) well over 10 years ago, when they had no tumble drier and there was no room for one. It would dry even jeans overnight.
Dd1 still uses it 3 dcs later, during wet weather - in her own house with a washing line in the garden and a T drier.