Heated Clothes Dryer

babes21

I've read a few threads now where a few of you have mentioned heated clothes airers.

How do these work, do they need to be plugged in? Also which ones do you recommend? What kind of prices will I be expecting to pay?

With a new baby on the way one of these would be a god send!! There is only my husband and I at the moment, and even with just the two of us I find drying clothes to be such a struggle.

Cafekate

Hi lots of people will come on and extol the virtues of Lakeland heated airers. However I found it very awkward to site somewhere where it wasn't in the way and also not very effective. Mine ended up been sold on ebay.
I have a JML Dribuddi which is very portable ,will even fold down into a laundry basket and with two teenagers very useful especially for expensive printed clothes such as sports wear. And added bonus is it throws out a bit of heat. Hope that helps.

luxor4t

I have the Lakeland heated airer. It is OK if you have the space for it, but I can't say I'm extolling it's virtues - it does the job but takes ages if it is full. I use it for DH's shirts etc and have gone back to radiator racks for jeans and jumpers.

I created a reflective cover from a foil space blanket to try and make it more energy efficient / faster as the cover (£35?) wasn't available when I purchased mine - and the extra cost is offputting.

NewShadow

The lakeland heater is good - and mine was nearly free as my mum gave me a load of gift vouchers to treat myself.

I've the three tier 'deluxe' - and it does take a fair whack of space (around 5 ft tall and about 3x3ft square). It's sturdy enough it taken nearly a year of my tom (4ish kilos) jumping up to the top layer to sleep on 'his heated bed' - Dexter loves laundry day;).

Mine will take a week's clothes for one - three trousers, one jeans and five light tops - just about.

Grundees are dried separately on radiators as there's just not space - but I understand you can now get a delicates tray - which looks like a round mesh and attaches above the top layer (not tried it).

If I cover it (I use a double quilted throw over the top) then my load will be done in around 24 hours (including jeans - horrible polyester work trousers and acrylic tops dry to wearable overnight but 24 hours drys everything to 'put away' dry) which is handy.

6p an hour so about £1.50 for 24 hours.

I can't compare it to other systems, but I don't regret it.

VfM4meplse

babes21 wrote: »

With a new baby on the way one of these would be a god send!! There is only my husband and I at the moment, and even with just the two of us I find drying clothes to be such a struggle.

Then you are in for a treat when the LO appears, non-stop washing is going to be a feature for the foreseeable

I have an Aldi version, a fraction of the price of Lakeland's but I have no doubt that it works just as well - which is just ok, not brilliant.

Personally I try to avoid drying indoor as much as possible because the damp encourages mold spores (not ideal for a baby) but realise it may not be possible in the short term. It's worth bearing in mind when the spring comes, I can understand how it's tempting to run the machine in the evenings and dry overnight indoors for convenience. Even the slightest breeze helps when the temperature hits double figures.

Good luck with the baby!

Gromit78

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Personally I try to avoid drying indoor as much as possible because the damp encourages mold spores

I have a standard clothes airer (not heated) but have a dehumidifier which I use to dry clothes. It also comes in handy if I leave the bathroom door open after a shower and removes excess moisture more quickly.

The only washing I really hang outside is bed linen as it helps with the fresh smell.

Hermia

I have the Lakeland one and it is one of the best household items I have ever bought. I live in a flat and it really is wonderful because it not only dries the clothes, but it heats the place more effectively than my radiators. You do need to find out the best way to use it. To get the washing dry as quickly as possible you need to pop a towel over the top of it to trap the heat in.

Winchelsea

My Lakeland one is on right now. Dried my bedding and towels on it earlier- took about 6 hours - and now it's covered with a double sized patchwork quilt. That may take a bit longer!
I do keep a couple of dehumidifiers going, as I live in a small flat and damp can be a problem.
I am very happy with it. It's in my bedroom, and although it's about a metre square there's room to walk round it. And, as has been said, it helps to heat the place.

PollyWollyDoodle

Another fan of the Lakeland heated airer here - yes, it takes up space when it's opened but if you can stick it in a spare room/bedroom during the day it's out of the way. I haven't bothered buying a cover, just throw a duvet or towel over the top. It will dry a set of double bedding overnight, jeans or thick things take a bit longer. Wouldn't be without it in winter.