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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Drying washing in the winter

50 replies

Shortandsweet20 · 11/01/2020 19:53

Please share your tips, I haven't got space for a dryer atm and only recently got a new washing machine so don't really want to get a washer/dryer. I've got two airers which work okay but drying towels and bedding is a nightmare! Any tips please!

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 11/01/2020 20:08

there was a thread like this a few weeks ago, and people suggested putting them in an enclosed space (such as a smaller bedroom over the back of chairs) and then putting on a dehumidifier on. this was also suggested

NurseP · 11/01/2020 20:12

An extra spin in the washing machine ? Heated clothes airer?

heymammy · 11/01/2020 20:14

Before I got a dryer I would wash all bedding (4 beds) and towels on a Saturday then take the whole lot to the launderette to the massive tumble dryers there.

It all fit in one machine and 45 mins later it was done. It was a bloody godsend!

stripeypillowcase · 11/01/2020 20:19

always do an extra spin. that reduces drying time by a couple of hours.
heated airers work well, ideally put them in the draftiest part of the house. I have a line in the attic, stuff dries quickly and is out of the way.

cptartapp · 11/01/2020 20:19

We use radiators despite having a dryer. Done in an hour. Keep windows slightly open. Never a problem.

JulietJanuary · 11/01/2020 20:20

If it is windy ( but not TOO windy!) stuff can dry surprisingly well outdoors even in January.

I also do an extra faster spin on some loads. And I am far more likely to tell the kids to rewear things!

JulietJanuary · 11/01/2020 20:23

Keep humidity down generally by closing doors, using extractor fans and opening windows at peak times.

Aderyn19 · 11/01/2020 20:29

I put a rail up in a cupboard to hang clothes on hangers, plug in an oil filled radiator, shut the door and let it dry. Not ideal but does the job. I keep trying to hang sheets and towels outside but then it keeps raining.

sproutsandparsnips · 11/01/2020 20:31

I always dry outdoors if the ground is dry/drying - what about over the bannisters?

Torchlightt · 11/01/2020 20:33

Hang them up in the sitting room where it's warm.

AwdBovril · 11/01/2020 20:37

If you have outside space, try to dry it (at least partially) outside. As long as the weather is dry & above about 4-5 °c it will get 80-90% if you hang it out all day, even on a very cold day. You can then hang it over an airer, or take to laundrette to finish drying it. This is what we do. I always double spin everything, as well.

Or, you can hang over an airer near an open window, or external door to let the moisture out, will work even in damp weather. Pretty cold, though, you'll need to close the door to that room.

Elouera · 11/01/2020 20:40

We live in a flat, and simply hang clothes, bedding and towels over the doors, on the furniture and smaller things go the drying cupboard.

The only thing that took longer than 1 day to dry was a duck down duvet which needed a few days and shaking often to loosen the feathers.

DuesToTheDirt · 11/01/2020 20:42

Depends on your house layout, but an airer suspended from the ceiling above the stairs works for us, lots of warm air up there.

KittenVsBox · 11/01/2020 20:43

Have you got any outside space? An hour in the wind (or sun!) makes a massive difference to the inside drying time. I got 2 loads outside yesterday, that then just took 30 mins on the airers inside.
I wash bedding and towels by the weather rather than on a fixed schedule.
Yes to an extra spin, on the highest rpm the clothes will take.
Encourage less clothes changing (looking at DS2!)

morrisseysquif · 11/01/2020 20:49

I find a service wash at the launderette a godsend.

We have the lakeland heated airer which though great, struggles with kingsize bedding in winter

MadeFrom100percentPears · 11/01/2020 20:52

I only really use my dryer for towels as I like the fluffiness. Bedding is hung over the banister to dry and everything else goes on the airer (or maiden, where I live!) I also drape it over spare bedroom doors! It's dry in a day and the house smells lovely!

Passthecake30 · 11/01/2020 20:52

I don't undersyabd how people can get things dry outside in this weather. I live in the south east and it would just get smelly and stay damp this time of year.
We have a drier, but only use for bedding and towels. The rest goes on an airer in the kitchen as there is underfloor heating. When it's almost done I pile it up on the water tank.

blamethecat · 11/01/2020 20:54

I keep debating getting a dryer but find an airer in the spare room with the window just open works generally, but if I get behind it's still tricky. Never thought to do an extra spin but will be trying that right now as a loads just finished.

TreesRUs · 11/01/2020 20:55

I’ve started doing an extra spin after seeing it on here and it really helps!

But mainly just buy a dehumidifier. Hang clothes on airer, shut doors and windows, leave overnight - Bob’s your Uncle.

PaulRobinsonsWoodenLeg · 11/01/2020 20:59

Hang clothes on the airer, stand it next to a radiator and then place a duvet cover or large towel over the top. Tuck the end behind the radiator so it traps in the heat and the whole lot will dry much quicker.

Justabadwife · 11/01/2020 21:03

I do what @PaulRobinsonsWoodenLeg suggests its amazing.
I also have a taller airer (£20 from £stretcher, but it's a bit flimsy) and I can get a full load on that, its parked in front of the radiator (cos I darent move it) and the washing dries in about 12hrs, depending on how much the heating is on.

GiantKitten · 11/01/2020 21:08

Have you got a landing with a banister & space over the stairs? The warm air from downstairs rises up nicely.

I have an overbath airer straightened out leaning from the banister against opposite wall - that takes loads of bedding/towels & it doesn’t hang down too low.

I also hang some, folded a bit, over the banister itself.

Admittedly there are only 2 of us most of the time, so airing each load overnightish works fine. I do have a dryer to finish off in, but ironing would do as well.

CharlieandLolaCat · 11/01/2020 21:10

I hang mine over doors and bannisters and they dry in no time.

Hermie12 · 11/01/2020 21:16

Airer and dehumidifier shut in our spare room

SmartyPants0 · 11/01/2020 21:19

I have a timer on my washing machine and set my washing to be finished washing before I go to work. I then hang sheet and towels over doors and the banister. Clothes are put on hangers and hung over the curtain shower pole
All are dry by the time I get home.

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