Any suggestions for drying washing indoors

angel81uk

I was wondering if anyone had any ingenious ideas for helping catch up with my washing backlog.

I live in a tiny, new 1 bed flat on the ground floor and last summer I put a lot of washing on airers outside my french doors but I soon got a letter telling me it was against the terms of my lease to alter the outside appearance of the flat by drying washing outside! It can't go on the radiators as they're very small and we're having major problems with condensation which is causing mold on the walls.

If I hang clothes inside on airers they take a good 2 days to dry completely which has caused a massive backlog. I do have a washer dryer but it takes at least 90mins to dry a load on a high heat! Not to mention the amount of electricity it uses. The only other option is the "airing" cupboard. As we have a combi boilder in the kitchen the builders kindly put an electric tubular heater in a cupboard but I've been warned that it uses an awful lot of power so it's never been switched on. Besides, it's the only storage I have other than the wardrobe so I'm loathed to empty it as space really is a problem.

I am inheriting my parents dehumidifier soon as they no longer need it but I've heard they use a lot of power to. So I was wondering what is the lesser of the evils, the tumble dryer, the tubular heater in the cupboard or the dehumidifier? Or does anyone have any other ideas for me? We seem to be getting through clothes quicker than I can wash and dry them so my washing pile is getting bigger by the day! If I don't find a solution soon it's going to take over the flat lol

destiny_star2006

why dont you make a clothes line inside your flat maybe in the biggest room make lines going through the room maybe 6 lines and then add ure clothes to them using pegs etc put them up before you go to bed so they dont disturb you and then im summising u go to work or out during the day and then by the time you get back home you should have 6 or so lines of clothes dry by having heating on or whatever source you use!
Doesnt look very nice but you will be in bed for 8 hours or more !! wishfull thinking???? } then out all day giving them a good 16 hours worth of getting dry!
My friend does this in her flat and only finds her room upside down for 1 day as she must get her washing done and she can relax for the other six just an ideas xxx

Badger_Lady

I used to live in a tiny flat like yours and, to be honest, I ended up using the dryer in the washer/dryer more often that not. My electric bills weren't huge, and it was so convenient to be able to just set the machine up and get the clothes out ready-washed-and-dried.

With regards to dehumidifying, there are cheap alternatives that just use "crystals" to absorb excess moisture from the air, and don't use electricity. I used to have a couple of these dotted around behind sofas and they needed emptying about once a week, but prevented condensation on the external walls.

I was always one for keeping the windows open, too - particularly having an airer in the kitchen with the back door open (almost as good as hanging outside, but without infringing on the lease). But that does depend how secure your property is and whether you'll be at home!

bandraoi

Do you have a bath?
If so I'd recommend getting one of the airing units that folds down over it. You can get ones that clip up so you can still have a shower.

To help clear the backlog you could put clothes on hangars to dry and hang them from the shower door or the shower curtain rail in the bathroom.

HariboJunkie

I'd recommend investing in an A rated energy washer dryer.

Or dry as much as you can on the airers in front of the radiators.

Dreaming_debtfree_dreams

I'm not sure which option is the most energy efficient but try giving your clothes an extra spin in the washing mashine, it should definantely cut down your drying time and if you do dry clothes indoors, try leaving a window on ventilation or open a crack to help reduce the the humidity.

skintmostofthetime

Hate to say this - but ..... are you washing things that could - in all honesty - be worn again ? Yes - knickers etc need changing every day but sometimes - unless you're a REALLY `sweaty ' person or have a really dirty job - things can be reworn `cos they aint really dirty. We've all just developed this idea that we need to have a clean NEW outfit every day when it isn't always needed.
Also things like undies can be washed by hand every day and then they will dry on a radiator, shirts/blouses can often be worn twice, skirts/trousers can be worn more than twice if carefull and ironed, tights - well they're just easy, it's the `biggies' that's the problem - towels/sheets etc and they will need to go in tumble/on radiators. Having done my lecture I do have question - have you asked what your neighbours do ? I know about the `spoiling the look ' phrase but surely when it's a really sunny day and only once in a blue moon - oops mixed metaphor nearly there, - you could stick stuff outside and to hell with `em. Oh I'm such a devil!!!!:T

purplegrape

I'm in a flat too, with no back yard (1st floor).

I find that my clothes dry quickest when they are hung on clothes hangers from the door frames or curtain rails. I think the air circulates around them quicker than on an airer. Takes less than a day to dry on hangers whereas my airer has been known to take up to 3 days on some things!

Means the radiators don't have to work as hard to heat the place too, altho it does look a little tacky on wash-day!

I confess I occasionally will still use the dryer for towels and large bedding, but not that often.

I air the flat daily which helps with any excess moisture, but I also having a moisture trap by the window, which I just found out you could buy replacement crystals for at lakeland in large bags!

Hope this helps a bit!

skintmostofthetime

Had another quick thought - use the dryer INSIDE the french doors - sun heat will be more and you can move it when you come home - just turn things about.

poppett

You were told you couldn't hang washing outside? How stupid is that! If I were your landlord I would prefer you to hang washing outside than have damp washing indoors causing mould.

Saying that though, throughout the winter I have been drying my stuff indoors by putting a clothes airer in my bedroom during the day. The heat from the night storage heaters have been a godsend and the small bits have dried within a few hours. As long as there is some ventilation (small window open) then mould isn't a problem.