As energy costs remain high many of us are wondering how to dry our clothes over the winter without racking up huge bills.
The Energy Trust has revealed that tumble dryers, along with washing machines and dishwashers, contribute to a significant 14% of household energy consumption. Some dryers can cost as much as £1.76 per cycle, which quickly adds up.
On warm, sunny days, clothes can be air-dried outdoors, but as we’re already now into December, we’re not likely to see any of these soon.
As well as this, drying clothes indoors can elevate your home’s humidity levels, potentially leading to mould and dampness. This not only imparts an unpleasant odour to your clothes but can also pose health risks.
So, what’s the solution?
A number of followers of cleaning guru and influencer Mrs Hinch ave taken to Facebook to share their advice, and many have suggested the same remedy.
In a group named ‘Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It’, one social media user shared: “I use a clothes airer with a dehumidifier, it dries faster than my tumble dryer”.
Another said: “I swear by my dehumidifier. Hang the clothes in the utility room, shut the door and a load is dry in four hours”, while a third added: “Wouldn’t be without [my dehumidifier]. Scary how much water it takes. No damp problems anymore and our clothes are dry overnight x”.
Dehumidifiers work by drawing moisture from your damp clothes, while also safeguarding them from warm air that can cause them to dry out. There are a number of options available, with different price points, but they can be purchased from around £25.
And if it stops you having to put the tumble dryer on, it may quickly pay for itself.