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Drying Clothes Indoors: Dehumidifier vs Heated Clothes Airer
As the weather gets colder, drying clothes indoors becomes necessary for many UK households. Yet, the challenge of avoiding damp, musty rooms and slow drying times remains. It's just so frustrating when your clothes wont dry too! Two effective solutions are dehumidifiers and heated clothes airers. Each has unique benefits for drying clothes indoors, but they can also work exceptionally well together. This article will break down the pros and cons of both options and explain how using them in tandem can speed up drying while managing indoor humidity.
Dehumidifiers for Drying Clothes
Dehumidifiers are popular for their dual role in drying clothes and reducing indoor humidity. They work by drawing in moisture from the air, which helps prevent damp and condensation,a frequent issue when drying clothes inside. I like this Hangsun model for efficiency and affordability for small to medium size rooms. For larger rooms or better efficiency for damper rooms or larger laundry loads I like the iOCHOW 50L per day model.
Pros of Drying Indoors with a Dehumidifier
Effective Moisture Control: Dehumidifiers actively lower indoor humidity, which not only helps with drying clothes but also keeps your home feeling fresher, reducing the risk of mould and mildew.
Energy Efficiency: Compared to running a tumble dryer, dehumidifiers generally consume less energy. If used strategically, they can provide a cost-effective drying option.
All-Year Utility: Dehumidifiers are beneficial year-round, especially in colder, wetter months when indoor humidity rises. They’re versatile beyond laundry days, making rooms feel less clammy and improving air quality.
Cons of Drying Indoors with a Dehumidifier
Slower Drying: While effective at controlling humidity, dehumidifiers alone can take longer to dry clothes compared to a heated airer.
Placement Matters: Dehumidifiers work best in smaller, enclosed spaces, so placing one in a larger or drafty room may reduce its effectiveness. In such cases, again I would suggest the iOCHOW 50L per day model.
Heated Clothes Airers for Drying Clothes
Heated clothes airers are simple drying racks with heated bars that help speed up the drying process. These compact, electric racks provide gentle heat that evaporates moisture from clothes, making them particularly useful for households with limited space. It is worth saying that it is beneficial to move clothes around so that more of the fabric will touch the heated airer. For smaller loads I like the Oypla Electrical Extendable Heated Folding Clothes Horse Airer Dryer with Heated Wings and if you do larger loads like myself I would pick the Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer.
Pros of Using Heated Clothes Airers for Drying Clothes
Quick Drying: Heated airers dry clothes faster than leaving them on a regular airer or using a dehumidifier alone. The gentle heat prevents high energy consumption while avoiding excessive temperatures that could damage fabrics.
Low Energy Consumption: Heated clothes airers typically use far less energy than a tumble dryer and dehumidifier.
Compact and Space-Saving: The slim design of heated airers can make them easy to fit in tight spaces, ideal for small flats or homes without dedicated drying rooms. Many models are also foldable, allowing for convenient storage.
Cons of Using Heated Clothes Airers for Drying Clothes
No Humidity Control: Heated airers produce heat, which releases moisture into the air, and if used alone in an unventilated room, this can lead to high indoor humidity and condensation. This can lead to musty smells over time, a dehumidifier or open window can help support with this.
Using Both a Dehumidifier and a Heated Clothes Airer for Optimal Drying
Combining a dehumidifier with a heated clothes airer can give you the best of both worlds for drying clothes indoors: faster drying times with controlled moisture levels. This setup allows for warm air circulation around the clothes without letting indoor humidity rise, making it ideal for winter or rainy days when ventilation is limited.
How Dehumidifiers and Heated Clothes Airers Work Together
Speed and Control: The heated airer warms clothes quickly, releasing moisture into the air. The dehumidifier then captures this moisture, drying the air and preventing it from condensing on windows or walls. When the air is dryer this then allows more moisture to evaporate from the clothes, therefore drying the clothes quicker.
Prevention of Damp and Mould: This combination keeps the room’s humidity stable, preventing the conditions that lead to dampness and mould.
Energy Efficiency: Although you’re using two devices, both are generally low energy. Using them together for shorter periods can still consume less energy than running a high-powered tumble dryer. It is also likely to be kinder to your clothes.
Ideal for Small Spaces: If your drying space is a small room or cupboard, running a dehumidifier alongside a heated airer helps manage moisture and reduces the need to ventilate, which can be challenging in winter.
Is a Dehumidifier or Heated Airer RIght For You?
For Budget-Friendly Drying: If you’re primarily concerned about energy costs, a heated airer can work well on its own, as long as you can open a window or have some ventilation to keep humidity low.
For Controlling Indoor Humidity: A dehumidifier is the best choice if humidity control is a priority, as it will help protect both your clothes and home from the effects of dampness.
For Optimal Results: If you have the option, using both a dehumidifier and a heated airer can be the most efficient approach, ensuring faster drying times and balanced humidity, especially in colder or wetter months.
If you are looking at a tumble dryer...
It's best to opt for an energy-efficient option such as this Energy Efficiency Class A+++ Samsung Tumble Dryer.
The difference between a tumble dryer with an A rating and one with a D rating can be quite significant in terms of energy savings. An A-rated dryer is much more efficient, using around 50-60% less energy than a D-rated model. Over a year, this can mean substantial savings on electricity bills, particularly if you use your tumble dryer regularly.
For example, an A-rated dryer might use about 1 kWh per load, while a D-rated one could use closer to 2-3 kWh. If you were to run 150 loads a year, the A-rated dryer might use around 150 kWh, while the D-rated could use upwards of 300-450 kWh. At around 30p per kWh, you’d be looking at savings of £45 to £90 per year with the A-rated dryer, and it's better for the environment. Plus, the A-rated dryer is generally gentler on clothes, which helps with their longevity.
So, while A-rated dryers might cost a bit more up front, the energy savings usually pay off over time, especially in the UK where energy costs are high.
Final Thoughts on Drying Clothes Indoors: Dehumidifier vs Heated Clothes Airer
Whether you opt for a dehumidifier, a heated clothes airer, or both, drying clothes indoors can be both efficient and safe with a few key considerations. Heated airers speed up drying while dehumidifiers prevent excess moisture, and when used together, they can provide quick, effective drying with a low risk of indoor damp. In colder seasons, this combined approach is particularly effective, keeping your home comfortable and fresh while maintaining a steady drying routine.
We've got plenty more posts about damp and dehumidifiers on this site!
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