How do you air your clothes with no airing cupboard?

russetred

I line dry then if the rain comes on I use the wooden clothes horse stood at the open back door.Plenty of air but keeps it dry.I drastically cut back on my tumble drier usage this year and I've used a fifth less leccy than last year.

trixietoes

I only have a smallish balcony, and I have a clothes airer set up on there and clothes stay there until they are dry, then get put away (I only iron when needed but that's a whole new discussion)

When I was in the UK I never had an airing cupboard even in my really old house (mom does but it is used just for storage) and always found clothes perfectly fine to wear after a line or airer dry.

I do agree though having washing around the house constantly is a nuisance (sp?), and not a great look LOL. I try to limit my washing to 1 or 2 days and get them back away asap - but then there is only 2 of us and no kids so easy enough.

I hope you find a solution soon xx

elyphant

I do think this is a tricky one, we also seem to have constant laundry with DHs work clothes and 2 small people. Dry outside where we can (even if not sunny, as long as it's not raining), then we have a clothes horse inside which just gets moved around the house as necessary depending on which room we need. Also, I use the radiators even if they're not on - gives a bigger space to hang things than just the clothes horse - and usually chuck big towels and things over the doors.
Tbh, you might just need to get used to having washing around, at least until your little one is a bit older. Yes, I know it's annoying and it doesn't look great, but it's just one of those necessities really. You can always just make sure it's all done before you have visitors or anything, or maybe set aside a bit of time each week to blitz it and get it all washed dried and away.
Laundry is the bane of my life....
Good luck with it!

pollypenny

If you leave things on the line until they are bone dry, it is impossible to get them crease-free.

I steam iron things, which makes them slightly damp. In winter 15 mins on the radiator airs them. In summer I hang them on the curtain rail in a sunny window for about 30 mins.

Ches

Sorry folks but i'm a neat freak with a combi boiler and my washing comes if off the line and if it still feels damp it goes in the TD for 10 mins. Can't think of anything worse than having a house full of washing draped everywhere. I know its not MS or green but its stress free.

msgnomey

I too use the TD to finish things off BUT I like to mostly dry them outside first and then they get a quick blast in the TD -it often means they don't need an iron which saves me time (and elecy) hehe

amanda40

I try to line dry when possible , then give a quick iron when they come in ( especially if just damp) then put over the high drier over night - they are dry and ironed by the next mrning and aired too.. Doesnt always work out like that but seems to save a bit of time and quicker to put away etc when I do do it IYSWIM. Would love a pully though, but dont really have anywhere to put it. I have a tumble drier but tend to use it only if been poaring for days and cant get anything dry, I put things on the high drier over night , then when I have more to hang up I finish it off in the TD

auntymabel

I do sympathise with OP. When I had my first baby I was terrified of the consequences of puttting damp clothes on him. I used to dry nappies in front of the electric fire and wasn't convinced they were dry until they started to scorch! :eek: Several years on I have a pole across the end of my bathroom which I use to finish off drying with everything on hangers so takes up less space and looks neater. I use a dehumidifier in winter sometimes. You can buy very low wattage tubular heaters which use very little electric which might help.

wasbrokegettingbetter

I find a dehumidifier works really well. I just leave it on with clothes on a airer next to it. Only trouble is its a bit noisy, but not as noisy as my T/D which is only for emergencies. (And fluffy towels when i need a bit of TLC)

Masty_ov_swindon

We have utility room and during the winter hang the clothes on a clothes rack, plug in a dehumidifier (300W) and then leave it on overnight (turn on before going to bed) By the time we get up, the clothes are dry and thr room is warm. It uses lesss energy than a tumble dryer and dries more clothes. and there's no smell of damp clothes either. Works an absolute treat.