Drying washing in winter

Doom_and_Gloom

We've had a dry soon for at least 8 years. We use it with the heating on along with a dehumidifier in the winter. When it's warmer we use it as a clothes horse without the heating but do use the dehumidifier anyway. We live in a new build and even though we have the vents open all year have problems if we don't use a dehumidifier most the year.

baggins11

We use a dehumidifier and a hanging rail. We live in an old damp house and having a dehumidifier has made the world of difference to the house and clothes dry so quickly. 

I bought a really good one that had a very good energy efficiency rating so it's cheap to use (the brand is meaco).  We have it on nearly all the time during damp weather conditions so it was worth investing in a good one that was cheap to run.

[Deleted User]

I've not used a tumble drier for over 10 years once I realised how much energy they use and never missed it.

A good spin cycle  - 1400 - 1600 combined with getting the clothes straight out and on to a rack or hanger for drying, I don't even need to iron. 

Ventilate your house if drying indoors to reduce humidity, a dehumidifier can help but not essential, I have one but find that just having one window open helps.

Apintplease

I did give in and buy a tumble dryer year before last but it is surprisingly efficient and my bills haven't gone up that much - maybe £20 a year. 

I do have a 1400 spin on the washing machine and anything thats not needed for the following day gets hung on an airer in the hall, it will dry over night, even jeans

Really the tumble dryer is used mostly for drying pillows and duvets and heavy blankets , and if the grandchildren are staying and as usual forget to bring enough socks and knickers  

maman

I try to use the tumble dryer as little as possible but it's a good stand by. Mostly I put well spun clothes on the clothes horse in the dining room overnight. Most are dry by morning as the house holds the heat well. They can stay there, if needed, until the evening as we only eat in the dining room at dinner time. 

littlemoney

I keep on eye on the weather forecast and plan wash days accordingly so I can dry outside. The house is too cold to dry washing as I usually only heat one room or I supplement low room temperature with extra layers of clothes and blankets.

 I have a 30 year old tumble dryer in the shed which might get used once or twice in the winter when my planning fails.

3secondmemory

littlemoney said:

I keep on eye on the weather forecast and plan wash days accordingly so I can dry outside. The house is too cold to dry washing as I usually only heat one room or I supplement low room temperature with extra layers of clothes and blankets.

 I have a 30 year old tumble dryer in the shed which might get used once or twice in the winter when my planning fails.

I look at the weather forecast for the week and plan my washes too. I love it when we are forecast wind! It comes in and goes on the airer near the radiator. I don’t have anywhere convenient put a tumble dryer so I am considering the Lakeland drying rack which I can put in the spare room. I hate having washing in the sitting room🙁

joedenise

Another one here who plans washes around the weather forecast!  It's looking to be a good day tomorrow so at least one load will be washed and dried on the line.  The bedding also needs washing but unless it's really bright and windy tomorrow that may well wait a couple of days.

I sometimes use the tumble dryer to finish off the washing if it's nearly dry on the line but if it's only a few bits then I'll put on an airer in the spare room out of sight!  Certainly don't want to be looking at washing drying while I'm trying to relax in the evening.

richcook54

we've used the radiators for years, wait to wash on a windy day(if you have the time), and air in sunny, warm room or radiators. I also open a couple of upstairs windows when weather allows to air the house out. never had a problem

VJsmum

Another who will try to plan around the forecast - i finish it  off in the airing cupboard and will use an airer in the conservatory if necessary.

If there's a succession of rainy days or i'm not around to sort the washing on a good day, i will use the tumble drier but it's rare.  When it dies, i am not sure i'll replace it.