As the weather gets colder, many of us will turn back to our tumble dryers to help dry clothes quickly, but there is a way to avoid the extra costs and still get your clothes dry overnight. The end of summer has arrived, and with it, the need for tumble dryers as we bid farewell to drying laundry in the sunshine. The shift in the weather is undoubtedly set to increase our energy costs with figures from the Energy Trust revealing that tumble dryers, along with washing machines and dishwashers, account for 14 percent of households' energy usage.
Some dryers can even use up to £1.76 per cycle, which can quickly accumulate, the Mirror reports. So, how can we avoid sky-high household bills this winter? While some opt to hang their washing around the house, it's not recommended due to the potential increase in home moisture, leading to mould and damp, not to mention unpleasant smelling clothes.
However, fans of cleaning and homeware expert Mrs Hinch may have found a solution. Posting in a Facebook group named 'Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It', one user shared: "I use a clothes airer with a dehumidifier, it dries faster than my tumble dryer". Another agreed: "I swear by my dehumidifier.
Hang the clothes in the utility room, shut the door and a load is dry in four hours". A third added: "Wouldn't be without [my dehumidifier]. Scary how much water it takes.
No damp problems anymore and our clothes are dry overnight". Dehumidifiers have been previously hailed for sucking out moisture from damp households to prevent mould - and it seems that they can do the same for laundry drying. There are many devices on the market that vary in price, power and capacity.
This dehumidifier on Amazon for £129.99 promises to absorb up to 12 litres of moisture from the air. A cheaper alternative is the Pro Breeze 6l Low Energy Compact Dehumidifier , reduced at Debenhams from £199.
99 to £89.99. A more budget friendly option is to place manual moisture absorbers near your laundry, with a pack of 10 available from Amazon for just £8.
49. Another game changing tip to get your washing dried faster is popping it on a high or double spin setting, or even adding on an extra spin at the end. This technique is perfect for squeezing out any lingering water, ensuring your clothes don't take an age to dry.
Over on a Facebook group discussion, a user advised: "I always put my washing on an extra spin after the wash has finished if I'm going to be drying inside." Another echoed this advice, writing: "Double spin your loads, it's amazing the difference an extra spin makes." For those who aren't quite ready to give up their tumble dryer just yet, seasoned users on social media have shared some clever tips to boost efficiency - and tossing a towel in with your damp clothes could be a game-changer.
One practical suggestion offered was: "If you want to make your tumble dryer work quicker and use less electricity then put a towel in with a wet load, leave it in for 15-20 minutes and then remove it. The towel will absorb lots of moisture from the clothes making them dry quicker." Someone else recommended using wool dryer balls, claiming they 'work a treat' and 'cut down drying time'.
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