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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

How do you dry washing without any outside space?

27 replies

Wanderingsheep · 28/03/2010 20:45

Have just moved into a flat temporarily to be near to DP while he is working in London.

There is no garden or balcony so was just wondering how other people get their washing dry?

OP posts:
nannynick · 28/03/2010 21:04

I have two airers (plastic coated wire things... one is a triangle, the other bit like two diamonds on top of each other).
I also have a small tumble dryer, though don't use that very often.

bibbitybobbityhat · 28/03/2010 21:06

On a clothes horse.

On a sheila maid.

On the radiators.

For the dc tops: on childrens coat hangers hung over radiator airers.

nannynick · 28/03/2010 21:06

At a home where I babysit on occasion, they have a Heated Tower Airer. I quite like the idea of those.

Original poster
Wanderingsheep · 28/03/2010 21:09

I have an airer but no tumble dryer, I just have a feeling that it might take ages to dry. Maybe getting another so that I have two would be better.

Thanks Nannynick.

OP posts:
indie37 · 28/03/2010 21:10

Hung in the airing cupboard on hangers or the clothes horses at the top of the stairs.

fifitot · 28/03/2010 21:10

leave the airer near an open window - usually helps.

It's a pain but most stuff dries eventually, though wool takes days!

Original poster
Wanderingsheep · 28/03/2010 21:11

Oops
x posted. The radiators are storage heaters that you can't cover.

What is a Sheila Maid?

OP posts:
nannynick · 28/03/2010 21:11

In a small flat, the problem I find is that there is constantly washing hanging on the airers. Reminds me, better check if my jumpers and trousers are dry yet - they take the longest.

Original poster
Wanderingsheep · 28/03/2010 21:23

I suppose I could put the heaters on in a room and put the airer next to it, just thinking of the amount that there will be with my potty training toddler!

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 28/03/2010 21:24

Tumble dryer.

WhatFreshHellIsThis · 28/03/2010 21:26

Airers, and laundrette tumble dryer for emergencies!

VengefulKitty · 28/03/2010 21:26

I hang it all on a clothes horse in the bath.

I used to dry on the radiators, but seem to have a damp problem here and that just added to it, so no restricted to the bathroom.

Sonilaa · 28/03/2010 21:32

Clothes horse on top of the bathtub.

Huge wing clothes dryer in the living room.

Open all windows wide for about 15 min mornings and evenings.

Clothes dry usually the next day.

dylsmum1998 · 28/03/2010 21:57

I have a clothes horse with most things on I put in front of an open window or radiator depedning on weather, I also hang on clother hangers on curtain poles. Sheets etc get hung over doors/ shower rails

WibbleDribble · 28/03/2010 22:07

We got a ceiling mounted airer drier recently which is fantastic. As well as no cumbersome clothes horses in the way it has proved extremely efficient - you can easily get a full load of washing dry overnight. I will admit it helps to have a wood burning stove ticking over on low at night but I would still recommend one on space saving grounds alone. And it doesn't harm the planet

picmaestress · 29/03/2010 10:46

Sheets dry very quickly if you hang them over a door...but make sure the top of the door isn't dirty or dusty.

I find clothes on an airer dry more quickly in my bedroom (must be slightly warmer overnight than everywhere else).

I honestly don't know why people use tumble dryers. I haven't for at least 10 years. I have very nubbly towels

Original poster
Wanderingsheep · 29/03/2010 15:13

Thanks for your answers! think I'm gonna have to be more organised and keep on top of it. I'm a bit lackadaisical with it at home and let it mount up, then have a mad session where all the radiators and washing line is full etc.

I also wear fresh clothes everyday so maybe I need to get into the habit of wearing things twice.

OP posts:
snowplop · 29/03/2010 15:18

I have 5 of these and hang them on curtain poles.

bentneckwine1 · 29/03/2010 15:19

My son used to have a set of bunkbeds...the bottom bed only ever getting used it we had visitors. I would hang clothes on coathangers and the hook them onto the wooden slats underneath the top mattress...heating on in that one room and close the door.

Only problem was you can't hang long trousers/dresses but it was perfect for children's clothes.

BertieBotts · 29/03/2010 15:22

This is fab, I can fit 2 wash loads on it spread out or 3-4 if I bunch everything up. If you have only 1-2 loads on at a time you can dry things flat as well as having some hanging.

It's a bit of a monster so I tend to keep it in the bedroom where I can't see it during the day but it doesn't take up a lot of floor space, so maybe a bathroom would be a good place?

I actually have no idea how I used to manage with one of those 3-panel "gate" airers

BertieBotts · 29/03/2010 15:25

Sorry try this link

Ikea have a similar thing but when I saw it there it looked more flimsy.

Kneazle · 29/03/2010 15:26

the link doesn't work what is it called ?

Kneazle · 29/03/2010 15:27

thanks that looks excellent !

BertieBotts · 29/03/2010 15:28

Oh, I also do the "forget to do washing for a week or two and end up having a mammoth session washing everything in one day" - the tower airer I linked to is perfect for this.

WhyMeWhyNot · 02/04/2010 23:30

Everything that hangs on a hanger goes onto a garment rail on my upstairs landing. Heat rises it all dries in a day.
Underwear on a radiator airer that I have in my airing cupboard near the boiler, again dries in a day.
Sheets larger towels etc over the bannister,dries in half a day.