Stop using your heating and tumble dryer to dry clothes when 3-hour tip is ‘much cheaper’

Stop using your heating and tumble dryer to dry clothes when 3-hour tip is ‘much cheaper’ (Image: Getty)

When you need to get your laundry dry, not everyone has the luxury of tossing them into a tumble dryer.

Maybe you don’t have the space for one, are concerned about how much it will affect your energy bills, or simply worry about damage to clothing from excessive tumble drying.

Unfortunately, some tumble dryers can actually damage your clothes over time, so an alternative drying method is often a good idea if you want to get the most wear out of your favourite laundry.

If tumble dryers are not being used, many turn to their central heating for help to dry clothes, however, this should always be avoided.

Draping wet clothes over the radiator means that moisture will be carried into the room on a warm air current and will stick to the first cold surface it hits, normally a wall.

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Draping wet clothes over the radiator will cause mould and lead to higher energy bills (Image: Getty)

Excess moisture in a room can lead to patches of mould, which can cause damage such as staining and peeling paint.

So how else can you dry laundry relatively quickly indoors? A mum on TikTok posted a video in which she shared her preferred method as a dehumidifier, saying that she “swears by” it.

@sandraredhead captioned the video: “A cheaper way to dry your laundry on damp days.”

She started by saying: “I swear by my dehumidifier. My dehumidifier has a laundry setting on it so I use that to dry my laundry.

“I find it cheaper, much cheaper than using a tumble dryer and it’s cheaper than putting your heating on.”

Sandra highlighted that she had clothes hanging on the washing line outside that had been there all day and was still as wet as when it was washed.

Whereas the clothes on the airer beside the dehumidifier would dry in four hours.

Taking to the comments section, fellow TikTok users shared their thoughts. Many asked how much it costs to use the dehumidifier and whether it causes any damp drying clothes this way.

Sandra replied: “It costs 8p an hour for me. It depends on your electric supplier as they all charge different amounts.

“No, the clothes don’t smell damp. It reduces your heating bills too as it reduces the humidity in the house.”

Other users shared their experience with using a dehumidifier for drying laundry. @irishredsettter said: “Agree absolutely adore mine for laundry. I place mine at the side of the clotheshorse to let it circulate easier through the middle of the laundry and it’s done in around three hours.”

@kfmb70: “We’ve been using one for years, washing dries quicker.” @katrinagee: “I’ve got one it’s a game changer on drying washing.”