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Drying cloths in a flat

28 replies

morbidcuriosity · 01/11/2023 23:12

Not long moved into a small 1 bed flat. What are your tips on drying clothes without a tumble dryer?

Friends have suggested a dehumidifier, my current plan was to go next to a radiator when on with window open.. trouble is I've not turned the heating on yet as its not cold enough (live on south coast)

Any hints and tips welcome please..

OP posts:

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Elg90 · 01/11/2023 23:13

Have you tried a heated airer?

spookehtooth · 01/11/2023 23:14

There's clothes horses which are heated, so half way between hanging your clothes and having a tumble dryer

spookehtooth · 01/11/2023 23:15

Can you put clothes near the hot water tank, to benefit from the warmth of that area?

practicepracticepractice · 01/11/2023 23:15

I agree with your friends. Dehumidifier is brilliant for drying clothes and not making your flat damp. It massively speeds up the process.

I forgot that I also have a heated dryer like this https://www.lakeland.co.uk/53211/dry-soon-drying-pod but it's not as good as a dehumidifier. I find it is not as quick and produces a lot of condensation... The water needs to go somewhere.

Starlightstarbright2 · 01/11/2023 23:17

I use heated airer with a cover

dontknowwhere · 01/11/2023 23:24

Agree with your friends a dehumidifier is so worth it, that with radiator and a wash can be dry in a day. It also helps with damp. Is a combined washer/dryer an option as another consideration?

morbidcuriosity · 01/11/2023 23:26

Wow quick replies.. thanks..

I didn't know about a heated clothes horse, ill have a google now and see. but think maybe i might have to invest in a dehumidifier.

OP posts:

jellycat · 01/11/2023 23:26

We have one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Breeze-Dehumidifier-Humidity-Continuous/dp/B073XNK45P/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=ZBF26SWFZCKQ&amp%3Bkeywords=dehumidifier&amp%3Bqid=1698880746&amp%3Bsprefix=dehumidifier%2Caps%2C67&amp%3Bsr=8-4&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

it works pretty quickly and is cheap to run. If you do go for a dehumidifier you need a condensing/refrigerant one (you can get desiccant ones as well but they don’t work well at typical house temperatures)

RampantIvy · 01/11/2023 23:30

Definitely a dehumidifier. You would still need to open a window with a heated airer to avoid condensation.

Karmatime · 02/11/2023 00:13

I’ve recently got a dehumidifier and it’s brilliant - I got the Meaco Arête 20L but the 12L one should be fine for a 1 bed flat. Hang them in the smallest room with the door and window closed, set it to laundry mode and most things dry in 6 hours.
It’s also great for keeping the flat warmer and fresher and you won’t need the heat on as much.

theduchessofspork · 02/11/2023 00:33

Heated dryer or one of the pId dryers with covers

Or swap your washing machine for a washer dryer is what I’d do, if you can afford it. everyone is rude about them but they work ok, I live in a tiny flat and couldn’t have two machines. My last one lasted 10 years.

RampantIvy · 02/11/2023 07:21

Karmatime · 02/11/2023 00:13

I’ve recently got a dehumidifier and it’s brilliant - I got the Meaco Arête 20L but the 12L one should be fine for a 1 bed flat. Hang them in the smallest room with the door and window closed, set it to laundry mode and most things dry in 6 hours.
It’s also great for keeping the flat warmer and fresher and you won’t need the heat on as much.

DD has the 12 litre one and it is excellent.

CutesyUserName · 02/11/2023 08:50

As others have mentioned you need to dry your clothes, but also be aware of the moisture that drying clothes indoors releases into the air. You don't want to end up with mould in the flat, so a dehumidifier seems to be the best solution for you.

EducatingArti · 02/11/2023 08:55

I've lived in flats for nearly 30 years. I'd definitely invest in a dehumidifier before a heated airer. Heated airers will help dry washing but will move all the moisture into the air which will then condense on cooler areas such as windows and outside walls. This may give you damp/mould issues.

inloveandmarried · 02/11/2023 08:59

I use a dehumidifier and empty it a few times a day as it removes litres of water from the air.

Washing dries quickly and doesn't smell.

Karmatime · 02/11/2023 09:01

Ps You mention you are on the south coast, I’ve just moved here from up north and my home is noticeably more humid. Things in cupboards and the coats at the back of the coat rack get fusty if I don’t ventilate but since getting the dehumidifier and moving it around to those areas the problem has gone away.

GasPanic · 02/11/2023 11:00

I would probably go for a high spin speed washer dryer and a good quality dehumidifier (I like Meaco).

Dehumidifiers are good, but its hard work if you have a lot of washing to do, a small space and things that come out very damp like jeans.

A high spin speed washing machine (1600 rpm) can get stuff quite dry (provided they aren't delicates). Give it two spins on the highest rating and then use the dehumidifier will probably be enough.

You then have the dryer element as backup in case you need it on rare occasions or if you need stuff doing quickly.

Generally I think the washer driers aren't that much more expensive, and if you don't use the dryer part much they will probably last a lot longer.

fedupwithbeinghot · 02/11/2023 16:57

I use both, a heated clothes horse and a dehumidifier. Otherwise the clothes might get dry but the air inside will feel damp. My dehumidifier can easily pull 2 litres of water from the air on lidiando days

piscofrisco · 02/11/2023 17:02

I've got a heated airer. It is rubbish!!

alexdgr8 · 02/11/2023 17:04

just remember to keep the flat well aired, esp when drying clothes, keep a window open.

TeddyBeans · 02/11/2023 17:06

Definitely a dehumidifier and put it and your clothes in the smallest room in the flat. We put ours out in our enclosed balcony and it dries 90% of stuff overnight

InTheRainOnATrain · 02/11/2023 17:16

Replace the washing machine with a washer dryer. So long as you respect the drying capacity, which is typically half that of the washing capacity and don’t over stuff it they’re great. Then for everything you can’t dry, put the rack in the bathroom and turn the heated towel rail and extractor fan on. Or at least that’s what I used to do! Dehumidifier also sounds good but I never had one.

Iheartmysmart · 02/11/2023 17:25

I’ve got a Leifheit clothes airer which stands in the bath. I just put the dehumidifier on and close the bathroom door, most things are dry in a few hours. Jeans maybe take a bit longer. No space in my flat for anything much bigger!

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morbidcuriosity · 02/11/2023 20:49

Thank you for all your tips..

I think I'm going with the Dehumidifier, I'm going to look at some of the recommendations on here which you have kindly said.
thanks again.

OP posts:

Sandrine1982 · 03/11/2023 07:43

I just got a dehumidifier on AO... cost £333 but it's brilliant. We have a leak in the dormer too so I'm hoping it will help with that as well..

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