How to Dry Clothes Indoors

How to Dry Clothes Indoors

Nothing beats the smell of laundry dried outside on our washing lines, and best of all, it is a completely cost-free method of drying clothes.

But then, come winter, the weather means we must bring them indoors. As household costs rise, people are looking at how to dry clothes indoors without increasing energy bills.

1. Use a dehumidifier

Are dehumidifiers good for drying clothes? Yes!

Clothes won't dry properly if there's too much moisture in the air. This can cause them to smell musty if they take too long to dry. A dehumidifier can absorb all that additional moisture, which creates better drying conditions and will also help your home feel a bit less 'muggy'.

Tumble driers can cost around £1 per hour to run and can send your bills soaring in winter. On the other hand, dehumidifiers can cost as little as between 10p and 30p to run.

Drying clothes indoors can also increase humidity. If rooms are too humid, it can create a higher risk of mould and dampness developing. A dehumidifier can work hard to lower this risk.

Use a clothes airer and place the dehumidifier near the clothes, around 4-6 feet away. This is close enough, yet enough space for effective circulation. Spread clothes out to improve airflow.

2. Use an extra spin cycle

Putting your washing machine on an additional spin cycle can help get rid of any excess moisture in clothes. This can be particularly helpful if you have heavy items, such as jumpers and dressing gowns, to dry.

Some specialist cycles, such as fabric-specific or quick washes, have low spin speed settings which can't be changed, so this can help dry these clothes further. Just be wary of overspinning any materials such as cotton and linen as it can cause them to crease.

Remember that faster speeds aren't necessarily better. Keep the original wash on a low spin speed, then assess the clothing before putting on another spin cycle if they are still very wet.

3. Create a cocoon with a radiator

A radiator is the next best choice. The heat output naturally dries clothes quickly. You can use a large bedsheet to create a tent of warm air around your clothes dryer.

This traps and circulates the warm air, boosting the chances of a quick drying time--and stopping moisture from releasing into the air.

Don't put clothes directly onto a radiator; it can increase the air's moisture, leading to damp conditions where mould spores thrive. This is a health risk. Instead, position your clothes airer near the radiator, leaving a gap for airflow around both.

If gas prices are reducing how much you put the radiator on, hire an electric radiator from Speedy. They are cheap to run and can minimise how much energy is used, as you don't need to get your whole central heating system started up.

If possible, using a dehumidifier under the clothes tent is still ideal, too.

4. Dry upstairs

Heat rises. So, if you can dry clothes upstairs, in a smaller room that keeps in the heat, this should improve drying time. It also means you can create the perfect atmosphere for the clothes without affecting the rest of the house.

Close the door, run the dehumidifier, and keep the window slightly open to reduce humidity.

5. Use hangers

Instead of cramming all your clothes onto an airer, reducing circulation, try hanging them all up. You could hang some on the airer, but also consider hanging them on your curtain rail, door handles, and other areas.

This gives your clothes room for good airflow, preventing them from being crammed into a small space.

6. Towel dry

This may seem odd, but if you have any really wet clothes holding a lot of water, towel dry them. Lay a towel down flat, and your clothing on top. Then roll the towel up into a sausage shape tightly.

This will squeeze out excess water manually. This makes them dryer, speeding up overall drying time. This is a good idea when you have one or two bulky items, such as blankets or Snoodies, to dry.

Indoor clothes drying tips

• Invest in a good clothes drying rack. Ensure it is large enough to hold all your clothing, but it can also be stored easily when not in use.
• Rotate clothing on drying racks regularly so all areas of the clothing get drying attention.
• Don't overload washing machines. Overloading will leave them damper at the end of the cycle, as they haven't had enough room to move around during the spin.
• Hang clothes up straight away. The longer they sit in the washing machine or laundry basket, the more likely they will develop a musty, damp smell and mould.
• Space clothes out on an airer. Layering items will mean they take longer to dry.
• Ensure clothes are thoroughly dried before putting them away. You don't want to bring musty garments out in a few weeks.

IS THERE DEHUMIDIFIER HIRE NEAR ME?

Yes. Speedy Hire, the UK's leading tool hire company, has a range of Dehumidifiers and portable heaters available nationwide. Speedy has more than 200 service centres nationwide, hire counters in selected B&Qs and nationwide 4-hour delivery; dehumidifier hire has never been easier.

You'll find all the tools you need right here. Why not start planning your next DIY project and open a Speedy account online or in-store today?