With the cold weather upon us, it becomes more challenging to keep on top of our laundry, especially when it comes to drying. But don’t despair as here are some of the best ways to dry your clothes in the winter.
I’m actually a big fan of the colder months. I don’t fare too well in the hot weather and find it much easier to warm myself up than to cool down.
But as a family of five and with plenty of washing to do throughout the week, I find it a struggle to get everything washed and dry without being buried under a pile of clothes.
Here are some of the best options available to help dry your clothes during the winter.
Use the extra spin function
The first thing you need to consider before trying to dry your clothes is to use the extra spin option on your washing machine.
This fairly short cycle will help to remove excess water in your clothes, which will speed up the drying process.
You can still dry outside
Just because the days are colder, it doesn’t mean that you can’t dry your clothes outside.
Ideally, when hanging clothes in your garden you will need heat, dry air and some wind. But during the winter, having all of these can be quite rare.
But as long as humidity is low, meaning that the air isn’t damp, then your clothes will dry. Even if it’s cold and there’s little wind, all it means is that it will take a bit longer. In fact, your clothes can still dry in freezing temperatures. They just might have a bit of a funny shape to them.
Use a tumble dryer
This is the quickest and easiest method to dry your clothes. Within 2 to 3 hours, your garments will be completely dry and as an added bonus, some machines will even help to get rid of creases.
But there are three main issues with a tumble dryer:
- You need to have space in your home for the unit
- The initial cost of the tumble dryer
- The running costs
Even if you have the room and money to buy a tumble dryer, the running costs might put you off. If you opt for a vented machine, it could cost as much £2.38 per drying cycle. Heat pump dryers are more expensive to purchase initially, but a cycle can cost as little as 61 pence.
A dehumidifier
If you feel that a tumble dryer is too expensive to run, then a dehumidifier is another way to dry your clothes indoors. A dehumidifier’s job is to suck the moisture from the air and in doing so, also creates heat.
Here you get two benefits – dry clothes, plus it will reduce mould and damp around your home.
Because a dehumidifier’s main role is not to dry clothes, it will take quite a bit longer compared to a tumble dryer. On average, expect a load of washing to dry in around 6 hours. But because a dehumidifier uses far less electricity than a tumble dryer, it can save up to half the cost.
Why not take a look at my comparison of a tumble dryer vs a dehumidifier?
A heated clothes airer
A heated clothes airer is a simpler option for a tumble dryer and a dehumidifier. This piece of kit can be unfolded and set up in any room with a plug. Place your clothes on the fairer, switch it on and it will start to dry your clothes.
It’s not a very quick process, but it will dry your clothes at a faster rate than a standard airer and they use fairly little in the way of electricity.
A clothes horse/airer
If saving money is still a major concern, then you’ll probably want to use as little electricity as possible and you’ll want to steer clear of the three options immediately above.
In that case, a standard clothes horse/airer is a cheaper option. It works similarly to the heated option, although as there is no extra warmth, it will take a bit longer. But it won’t cost you a penny to use.
Radiator rack
If you don’t have enough room in your home for an airer, a radiator rack might be more suitable. It will sit nicely next to your radiator and will dry clothes fairly quickly.
The issue is, space is limited on a radiator rack, so you probably won’t be able to dry a full load of washing.
A clothes pod
This piece of kit can be great for drying your clothes indoors. The clothes go inside the pod and are heated slightly. This helps them to dry quicker than a heated airer.
However, a clothes pod does tend to use more electricity compared to a heated airer and there’s still no way to collect the excess moisture. So, you will need to leave a window open or use it alongside a dehumidifier.
They aren’t cheap though and will cost you around £90.
Be warned when drying clothes indoors
Many years ago, when most houses had open fires, homes would have plenty of ventilation in them to reduce smoke. But in recent times, a lot of vents have been blocked up as there’s no longer a need for them. Plus, it stops warmth from escaping.
And although your home may be warmer, it’s reduced the ability of moisture to escape. This can lead damp and mould around the home, which isn’t great for your health.
So, if you’re drying clothes in your home, you need to ensure that the moisture doesn’t become trapped.
To avoid this, it’s best to leave a window open. Of course, during the winter, this can make your home very cold. Use a room you don’t often need and close the door if you can. The moisture will escape through the window, with only that room becoming cold. You could fit a draught excluder to the door if you’re drying this way quite often.
Further reading
Why not take a look at some of the best energy saving devices so you can save some extra money?