A dehumidifier can help to speed up the drying process (Image: Getty)
As the chill sets in, Britons are bracing themselves to take on the annual battle against soaring .
With fuel prices showing no mercy this , the trick to keeping your hard-earned cash might just lie in cleverly cutting back on our reliance on costly gadgets.
The Energy Trust points out that household devices like , dishwashers, and tumble dryers account for a hefty 14 percent of an average home’s energy expenditure.
While ditching washing machines isn’t feasible, there are creative ways to without breaking the bank, even during winter’s worst.
Electric airers have become a hit among cost-conscious homeowners in recent winters, but now, followers of a Stacey Solomon-inspired group are buzzing about another gadget that effortlessly tackles the laundry challenge.
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Getting the laundry dry is harder when the weather is cold (Image: Getty)
On the page, a member sought “recommendations for best-heated, cost-effective clothes airer”.
Suggestions poured in for heated airers from and but numerous members have been singing the praises of adding a dehumidifier, reports .
One user extolled the virtues of incorporating a dehumidifier into their laundry routine, claiming it’s “the best thing I have ever purchased. Two loads of washing dry overnight, even on the coldest and wettest days”.
Another lauded the device as an “absolute game changer for drying clothes”.
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What exactly is a dehumidifier?
Compact, portable and a worthy investment, a dehumidifier is an electrical device that extracts moisture from the air in a room. This creates an environment that accelerates evaporation, helping to dry clothes faster.
There are numerous makes and models available, catering to different preferences and budgets. While they tend to be pricier than many electric airers – you might need to spend £150 or more for an effective one – they are cheaper to run than a tumble dryer.
The (£189) is one of the most cost-effective and popular options.
Other choices include the which offers a continuous extraction rate and can extract up to 10 litres a day, and the available on Amazon for £119.99.
How do dehumidifiers dry clothes?
According to the appliance experts at Currys, “Clothes can take a long time to dry properly indoors, especially if it’s a humid environment. But when you use a dehumidifier, the air surrounding your wet clothes becomes less humid. This allows the moisture within the clothes to evaporate more quickly, resulting in shorter drying times.”
A dehumidifier can also help reduce odours. Drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation can sometimes result in a musty smell. By lowering the humidity, you’re also reducing the risk of odours developing on clothing that’s been damp for too long.
If you’re considering using a dehumidifier to dry your clothes indoors, Currys has some advice for you:
- Ensure the dehumidifier is positioned 4-6 feet away from the clothes to allow optimal air circulation.
- Lay out your clothes on a drying rack or hangers, making sure not to overlap items to promote better airflow.
- Select a well-ventilated room or open windows to aid the escape of moist air as the dehumidifier operates.
- Adjust the dehumidifier to the correct setting, ideally utilising a ‘laundry’ mode if available, or modifying for balanced drying speed.
- Regularly check the drying process and alter settings if clothes are taking too long to dry.
For those who would rather use an electric Airer, several responses recommended the use of a dedicated cover like the Lakeland that retains heat to help clothes dry quicker.