Most efficient way to dry washing

[crushedgrape]

I don't have a tumble dryer, can't line dry or part dry when it's wet, so what's the best way to do it?

Currently I wash, then do an extra spin cycle (is this worth it?), then put on maidens around radiators and have heating on for a few hours.

I'm trying to use the heating less so really only turning it on now because of the washing. Is there a better way? Heated airer, dehumidifier?

[ChoiceMummy]

Dehumidifier with a clothes horse in the bathroom as smaller area would probably be cheapest.

[WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe]

Dehumidifier for sure. We have ceiling airers above the radiators in the utility and that helps. Once they’re pretty much dry I fold them and put the in the airing cupboard for a couple of days

[purpleme12]

I do the same as you.
Put it on radiators. I only put the heating on today to dry the clothes

[WhatTheWhoTheWhatThe]

I find the dehumidifier generates a bit of heat too

[Passthecake30]

If you can, look at the weather forecast and save it up for a few days if a dry/windy day is coming soon.

[MaizeAmaze]

Sheets and towels done when its dry outside.
And if its windy and dry on a weekend, its constant washing! We basically hang outside if we can - even if it's only an hour or so. It makes a big difference, but does require you to be at home.
Yes, the extra spin cycle is worth it.

[sausagerole]

We have a laundry maid on a pulley. No floor space for a heated airer. Try and keep the windows cracked during the day to prevent damp. Can usually fit two loads on it which dry in about 24-36 hours.

[Vicliz24]

We have two clothes horse racks in the spare room . We open the window during the day year round and they're dry in a couple of days .

[Xiaoxiong]

Ceiling mounted airer on a pulley - the washing dries 10 times faster than on the clothes horse, and no need for dehumidifier/heating. We have a 1.8m pulley maid, it has 4 bars and together with a couple of sock octopus things for the small bits I can get a whole 10kg load of washing on it. It cost £77, which was less than half the price of the heated airer I was considering from lakeland.

Mine is in the hall, a friend has hers over her stairs, I have seen them mounted over the bath and in the hall by the front door.

I actually have a condenser tumble dryer but barely use it now we have the ceiling airer.

[purpleme12]

@Xiaoxiong
Do you have a link for these things?

[bettertocryinamercedes]

I have a heated airer with a cover. I hang stuff in coat hangers and it's dry in an hour or 75mins if it's stuff like jumpers/hoodies.

It was £99 from Amazon and it's so good. Also warms the room up it's in!

Can send a link if you want

[WeeWeeMe]

We do two extra spin cycles, this makes a massive difference. Then just hang on a regular clothes rack which we keep close to a large radiator.

[Wafflesnsniffles]

Clothes on airers, dehumidifier nearby. Works brilliantly, dries our clothes within 2-3 days even though we pretty often only have the heating on only an hour per day.

[Lennybenny]

Smaller wash loads. Don't overload the airer. Turn the airers the right way so the warm air flows through rather than gets blocked and don't put them too close. Also find the warmest room at any time and use that rather than the radiators. A room with a big open space rather than a cluttered area so the air can circulate properly.

[Hercisback]

Don't dehumidifiers cost lots to run though? I have an aldi heated airer but dry outside when possible.

[bonfireheart]

Heated airer from lakeland.

[Xiaoxiong]

@purpleme12 yep! here you go:

pulleymaid.com/ (we have the "Edwardian" with the 1.8 lathes)

sheilamaid.com/ (very similar to the above but they have even longer lathes if you need them)

[Xiaoxiong]

I think the clothes must dry faster when they're higher because hot air rises. After years of clothes horses and hanging over radiators I am still amazed at how I can hang a pair of jeans or towels or a double duvet cover up the night before and they're dry by morning.

[Redlorryyellowduck]

I use a dehumidifier. I have a wall.mounted airing rack, hang most things on hangers and the sock octopus, dehumidifier underneath, honestly works a treat.
No black mould in corners of the room which always happened with air drying, even with windows open.
The only faff is very thick hoodie or thick tracksuit bottoms with pockets, I ten to peg these upside down so the buggers dry.

[AuntyFungal]

Spin dryer, if you can afford one. Takes out so much more water than your wash machine can. Added benefit of less moisture, less potential mould problems.

• dehumidifier if you can stretch to it.

[Darbs76]

I use a clothes airer and the heating is on regardless so it’s not costing anymore to dry the clothes. Don’t own a dryer

[Sparkle275]

I have a dryer and it was costing a fortune in electric. I now only ever use it for bits that need drying quickly. Instead I use clothes airers and have a dehumidifier which is more cost effective.

[Happy36]

You could also occasionally take a big load of sheets/blankets/towels washed at home to a launderette (check prices).

Work out the sunniest windows in your home at the warmest times of day (and the sunniest part of your garden or balcony, if you have one) to make the most of dry, sunny, warm, or windy days. If drying indoors, make sure a window is open to prevent damp.

[Stringervest]

I work from home. Instead of having the heating on I use the dehumidifier. It warms the room I'm in and dries the washing at the same time. I keep it on a low setting. I don't have a smart meter so I don't know the cost but suspect it's cheaper than central heating for a 4 bedroom house and it's definitely more environmentally friendly as we are on a renewables only tariff.

[FuzzyPuffling]

Get used to checking the weather forecast and hang it outside whenever you can. I have a three year old tumble drier ( a gift) which I have never, ever used, I have got so expert in reading the weather.

I also have a ceiling airer ( "Sheila Maid") for finishing the airing if needed.

But line drying is your friend.