Our house is so cold it’s impossible to dry clothes inside – a 7p trick helps my wet washing dry at speed
BRITS across the UK are currently experiencing a drop in temperature.
And with the cost of energy prices rising, many are trying to do their best to refrain from putting the heating on.
But this can be a nightmare for families and singletons when it comes to drying their clothes.
However, there are ways around this.
One homeowner took to online forum Mumsnet to seek advice after she was desperately trying to keep on top of her washing during the colder months.
The mum-of-three wrote: “So not going into the energy price stuff.
“But basically our house is going to be really cold this winter and the tumble dryer is obviously off limits.
“But with three kids there’s so much laundry. I’ve reduced the amount I wash stuff to the maximum I can.
“But what I can’t figure out is how to dry it when our house is as cold as outside.
“We have super limited space to dry outside. Half a load of room, not even enough to hang a single bed sheet.
“It gets no sunlight during the day and is only good in the summer, but I have been trying it.
“We’ve got two airers that stay under an open window to try to keep the damp under control.
“I’m sure I must be missing a trick though and I really don’t want to smell damp all winter either. So any tips?”
Many other parents rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One person in particular had a cheap hack which they believe to cost around 7p on the electricity bill.
They recommended trying out a heated airer which can cost as little as £15 from stores like Dunelm.
The Mumsnet user continued to write: “I dry stuff on there and then if it needs finishing off it’s not in the tumble dryer long.
“They only use something like 7p an hour to run.”
Others also had some more recommendations for the mum.
One said: “Extra spin in the washing machine helps. We have a ceiling mounted airer on a pulley over the stairs.
“It still takes a few days to dry, but that doesn’t matter so much because it holds a lot and is out of the way.
“I also run the extractor fan in the bathroom with the door open to the landing where the airer is, but all other doors closed to get some of the damp air out.”
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.