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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

How to dry clothes in small apartment?

30 replies

Whatsthatspookynoise · 17/11/2020 17:13

I am not allowed to hang clothes on the balcony and I don't have any space for a tumble dryer. I have to use a clothes rack on my bedroom door and a bigger one next to it. It takes about 3 days for the clothes to actually dry even with the doors open (I don't have windows only large glass doors in each room). So as you can imagine I get behind on washing and I'm sick of it being hung up 24/7.

I sometimes point a fan at it to air it, but it doesn't speed it up by much. Looking for some ideas on what to do.

OP posts:
GreyishDays · 17/11/2020 17:14

We had a dehumidifier which sped up drying. Also a heated airier could work.

Whatsthatspookynoise · 17/11/2020 17:39

@GreyishDays A dehumidifier would work well! The room gets humid when the washing it wet.

OP posts:
JaJaDingDong · 17/11/2020 17:53

Is there a local launderette where you could use the tumble driers?

IndieTara · 17/11/2020 17:55

I found a dehumidifier helped but the best solution was my DRi Buddy. Much cheaper to run than a tumble dryer and can be folded down and put away

ForTheLoveOfFaff · 17/11/2020 17:56

Definitely a dehumidifier. You can hang a load of washing on airers overnight with the dehumidifier on and it will be dry in the morning, especially if you so a fast spin on it to get it as dry as possible when it comes out of the washing machine.

ForTheLoveOfFaff · 17/11/2020 17:57

Plus, if you hang the clothes on hangers and then hang them up on the airer, the clothes won't be folded over and will take less time to dry

Smallsteps88 · 17/11/2020 17:58

Clothes airer in the bathroom, put in a dehumidifier, (close to washing as dehumidifiers blow out heat) turn on extractor fan and bathroom radiator, close window and door.

addler · 17/11/2020 17:58

Definitely a dehumidifier. We have one and close the door to the spare room and a load is dry by morning. It also blows air out so if I point that at the clothes airer it's even quicker!

AldiAisleofCrap · 17/11/2020 17:59

Nobody can stop you hanging them up n the balcony.

pinkbalconyrailing · 17/11/2020 18:04

where does it say that you can't use the balcony? tbh I would ignore that if the consequences are not too serious.

when we lived in a tiny flat we had a washer dryer and a wing airer that stood in the bathtub. door closed and fan on.

WrongKindOfFace · 17/11/2020 18:06

What’s the balcony made from? If it’s not glass get a balcony airer and nobody will know you have it. www.argos.co.uk/product/8505655

Also, a dehumidifier is a good idea.

RishiMcRichface · 17/11/2020 18:07

Dehumidifier plus heated airer.

jcurve · 17/11/2020 18:13

Definitely a dehumidifier. Put it overnight in a room with a door & you’ll have dry clothes in the morning. We’ve had a Meaco one that’s been going strong for 5 years.

PurpleFrames · 17/11/2020 18:25

Another vote for a heated airer- but get a dehumidifier too even if it's only a mini USB one as it can made my tiny studio feel humid

Inkpaperstars · 19/11/2020 15:10

I am in a similar position to OP and definitely want to get a dehumidifier...any tips on which one to choose or what to look for? I might get one that also does air purifying.

Whatsthatspookynoise · 20/11/2020 09:27

@inkpaperstars

I would also like to know which one to buy! I don't know much about them.

OP posts:
Inkpaperstars · 20/11/2020 10:58

I know, there are so many choices!

ginghamstarfish · 20/11/2020 11:02

Aldi and Lidl sometimes sell good ones, with 3 year warranty. We have one of each and they are very similar, low power consumption too.

Mother2princess · 20/11/2020 23:35

Get a nubreeze airer it' blows cold air so clothes dry quick also a big game changer is a tall fan up against the airer drys clothes within hours and no condensation win win

Bingowin · 20/11/2020 23:51

@Mother2princess
I just had a look at that airer.... looks like a love or hate thing?

Mother2princess · 20/11/2020 23:55

Bingowin it is I agree but its definitely helped my family it is loud is my only annoyance but it works

Nsky · 21/11/2020 00:08

Geared airer

addler · 21/11/2020 15:20

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EcoAir-DC12-Compact-Portable-Dehumidifier/dp/B00HT8DC7Y/ref=mpssa113?dchild=1&keywords=dehumidifier+ecoair&qid=1605971976&sprefix=dehumidifier+eco&sr=8-3

This is the one I've had, it's not too big or small and has two speed/noise settings. Still going strong several years on

GalaKC · 25/11/2020 22:26

What about one of those electric heated clothes driers? I am lucky enough to have a tumble dryer but if I didn't then that would be my choice, I think. Never tried them though, maybe someone here has and can share if they are worth the money or not?

womanaf · 25/11/2020 22:31

Heated airer, or if you can put your normal airer near a radiator, use a sheet over the airer and radiator, so you’ve got a little hot tent.

Also, do a second spin cycle once your wash has finished - it makes a huge difference.