With the cold weather upon us, it becomes more challenging to keep on top of the laundry, especially when it comes to drying clothes.

I actually don’t mind winter too much. I struggle in hot weather and find it much easier to warm myself up than to cool down.

But as a family of five with constant washing to deal with, winter laundry can quickly turn into a mountain of damp clothes hanging everywhere.

If you’re wondering how to dry clothes in winter, the good news is there are several options. Some are quicker, some are cheaper, and some work best depending on the space you have in your home.

Here are some of the best ways to dry clothes in winter without letting washing take over the house.

Quick answer: What is the best way to dry clothes in winter?

The best way to dry clothes in winter depends on what matters most to you.

• Fastest: tumble dryer
• Cheapest: clothes airer
• Best balance of speed and cost: heated airer or dehumidifier

Most households end up using a combination of methods, depending on the weather and how urgent the washing is.

Winter clothes drying methods compared

Best Ways to Dry Clothes in Winter

Use the extra spin function

Before you even start drying your clothes, there’s one simple thing that can make a big difference.

Use the extra spin cycle on your washing machine.

This short cycle removes more water from your clothes before you take them out of the machine. The less moisture left in the fabric, the quicker your clothes will dry.

It’s a small step, but it can shave hours off drying time.

You can still dry clothes outside

Many people assume drying clothes outdoors in winter is pointless.

But that isn’t true.

Clothes can still dry outside even when the temperature is low. What really matters is humidity and airflow.

If the air is fairly dry and there’s even a light breeze, moisture will gradually evaporate from the clothes.

So if you get a crisp winter day with clear skies, it’s still worth hanging washing outside.

Do clothes dry in cold weather?

Yes, clothes can still dry in cold weather.

Drying depends more on humidity and air movement than temperature. If the air is dry enough, moisture will slowly evaporate from the fabric.

In very cold conditions, clothes may freeze first and then dry through a process called sublimation, where ice turns directly into vapour.

They might feel stiff when you bring them inside, but they will soften quickly once they warm up.

So even during winter, hanging clothes outside can still work surprisingly well.

Use a tumble dryer

A tumble dryer is the fastest way to dry clothes in winter.

Most loads will be completely dry within 2 to 3 hours, and many modern machines also help reduce creases.

However, there are a few downsides.

❌ You need space in your home for the machine
❌ The upfront cost of buying one
❌ Higher electricity usage

Older vented tumble dryers can cost around £2 or more per drying cycle.

More efficient heat pump tumble dryers are cheaper to run, often costing closer to 60p per cycle, although they are more expensive to buy.

If you’re trying to keep costs down, you may want to compare other drying options. 👉 Take a look at my comparison of a dehumidifier vs tumble dryer.

You may also want to read my guide to 👉 tumble dryer alternatives if you’re trying to reduce electricity use.

Use a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is one of the most effective ways to dry clothes indoors in winter.

Its job is to remove moisture from the air, which speeds up the drying process. At the same time, it also helps reduce condensation, damp and mould around your home.

This means you get two benefits:

• your clothes dry faster
• excess moisture is removed from the house

Clothes typically dry in around 5–7 hours when using a dehumidifier in a closed room.

Because they use far less electricity than tumble dryers, they are often much cheaper to run.

👉 Find out the real costs of using a dehumidifier.

Use a heated clothes airer

Heated clothes airers have become very popular in recent years.

They are essentially a fold-out clothes rack that plugs into the wall and gently warms the bars that your clothes sit on.

They are useful because they:

• use far less electricity than a tumble dryer
• take up little space
• can be folded away when not in use

They aren’t the fastest option, but they will dry clothes much faster than a standard airer.

Use a standard clothes airer

If you want the cheapest way to dry clothes in winter, a standard clothes airer is still one of the best options.

It works the same way as a heated airer, just without the heat.

Because it doesn’t use electricity, it costs nothing to run.

The downside is drying time. Depending on the room and ventilation, clothes can take a full day or longer to dry.

Spacing clothes out and improving airflow will help speed things up.

Use a radiator rack

If space is tight, a radiator rack can be useful.

These attach directly to your radiator and allow you to dry small items using the heat already being generated.

They’re ideal for things like:

• socks
• underwear
• smaller clothing items

However, you should avoid draping clothes directly over the radiator itself.

When clothes cover the radiator they block heat from circulating around the room. This can make your heating system work harder to warm the space.

It can also cause moisture to build up on the wall behind the radiator, increasing the risk of damp or mould.

A radiator rack works better because it keeps clothes slightly away from the heat source, allowing air to circulate.

Use a clothes drying pod

A clothes drying pod is a small enclosed drying tent that circulates warm air around your clothes.

They work a bit like a small heated tent with a fan inside, helping clothes dry quicker than on a standard airer.

However, they are essentially a small vented dryer inside a fabric cover, so they use more electricity than heated airers.

Most models cost around £80–£100, so they’re not the cheapest option either.

Because moisture still escapes into the room, it’s usually best to open a window or run a dehumidifier alongside it.

The towel “burrito” trick (for emergency drying)

If you only need to dry a single item quickly, there’s a surprisingly effective trick.

Lay the wet clothing item flat on a large dry towel. Then roll the towel up tightly like a burrito and press down on it (or stand on it).

The towel absorbs a large amount of the remaining moisture from the clothing.

Once unrolled, the item will be much less damp and will dry far faster on an airer or radiator rack.

This works well if you suddenly realise a school jumper or work shirt is still wet.

Where to dry clothes in winter

Choosing the right place to dry clothes in winter can make a big difference.

Ideally you should dry clothes in a room with:

• good airflow
• some warmth
• enough space to spread clothes out

A spare bedroom or utility room often works best. If you’re drying clothes indoors regularly, opening a window slightly can help moisture escape and reduce condensation.

Be careful when drying clothes indoors

One issue people often overlook when drying clothes indoors is moisture build-up.

Older homes used to have open fires and plenty of ventilation, which allowed moisture to escape naturally.

Modern homes are much better insulated and sealed to keep heat inside. While this saves energy, it also means moisture can become trapped.

Drying clothes indoors releases a lot of water into the air, which can lead to:

• condensation on windows
• damp patches
• mould growth

To reduce the risk:

• open a window slightly
• dry clothes in a separate room if possible
• close the door to stop moisture spreading
• use a dehumidifier

Even small changes to airflow can make a big difference.

Find out more about cheap ways to reduce condensation on windows.

Tips for drying clothes faster in winter

If you want to speed things up, a few small changes can help.

Space clothes out

Airflow is important. If clothes are packed tightly together they will take much longer to dry.

Turn clothes halfway through drying

This helps trapped moisture escape more easily.

Use a fan

Even a small fan can dramatically improve airflow and speed up drying.

Use the extra spin cycle

Running a quick extra spin removes more water from clothes before drying begins.

Final thoughts

Drying clothes in winter can definitely feel like a battle, especially when the washing keeps piling up.

But with the right setup, it’s still possible to keep on top of laundry without spending a fortune on electricity.

For many households, the best approach is usually a combination of methods, depending on the weather and how quickly you need clothes dry.

If you’re looking to cut your energy bills even further, you might also want to check out 👉 my guide to the best energy saving devices for your home.

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