Any suggestions for drying washing indoors

Winged_one

If weather forecast is decent, we hang it out when we get home, and may take it inin the mornings, or leave out for day (depending on forecast and look of sky) - rains a lot in Dublin too. We have a large airer which we leave in the family room by day. And we have the dryer for emergencies. But I try to keep the larger items (sheets, towels etc) for weekends and put them outside. And we are trying to get DD to get 2 days from trousers and jumpers/cardigans now (tops and underwear all clean daily) like us.

But we do try and get the worst of the washing done in the finer weather - so that might mean 3/4 loads at the weekend if it's fine. And we also work on the principle of having plenty of spares so the washing can back up a little if needed (between weather and both working fulltime - that's a necessity for us).

tori.k

On a thread somewhere someone use's a garden gazbo over the washing line (simple but great idea )

Olliebeak

I'm lucky that. although I work full-time, I am 'home-based' so can keep an eye on the weather situation. But I DO try to wash 'according to the weather forecast' - having said that, we've had quite a lousy summer around here so the whole 'laundry thing' has become a bit of a battle.

I'm afraid it looks like you'll have to do 'little and often' to keep on top of things. A couple of substantial airers (stood in front of a sunny window if possible) would probably serve you quite well and maybe one of those 'pull-out lines' over the bath for very lightweight things. I have rails that sit on the radiators as well, but I don't cover the rads with anything that would block the air circulation. I'm fortunate that I have a landing bannister that fits a king-size duvet cover/double sheet perfectly for drying bedding AND large bath sheets dry quite well on it too.

freakyogre

I live in a flat so have to use an airer and hang bigger items over doors. Not ideal, but there isn't much else I can do! I try and hang towels outside my window though as don't like them hanging around damp for too long.

valk_scot

Washing line if the weather looks good, tumble drier if feeling lazy/desperate/overcome by washing pile, radiators and clothes airer if the heating is actually on. I also have a long thin walk in cupboard with one of these pull-out clothesline attachments in it...was great in the days we had the freezer in there too as it was always really warm. Now I just use it to air out nearly dry things from the line.

thriftlady_2

I must say I hadn't occured to me that this was yet another benefit of being at home all day.

I bring down the washing when I come downstairs in the morning and straight away put one load in (about 6.40 am). I hang it at about 8 either outside or if it is wet or very cold on airers. I then get the next load in and hang that when I get back from the school run. There is sometimes a third load. It means I've usually got everything dry by lunchtime.

If I worked I'd come home to only one dry load if I'm lucky with the weather.

Katie-Kat-Kins

Hi! I don't have a tumble dryer or central heating and our garden is full of trees so I dry over a clothes horse indoors.

I have two airers and can get nearly a full load out at once, Knickers and socks go over the edge of the washing basket if there isn't room on the dryer at first. Large items such as towels, sheets etc go over an open door or the landing bannister. Most things are dry within 24 hours in summer when there is no heating on, quicker in winter when they are sat infront of a storage heater.

If you have central heating get some of the airers that hook on to your radiators too, they dry things quickly and buy you some extra space. Things will dry quicker if you give them plenty of space so don't pack one tiny airers full of jeans and sweaters!

Olliebeak

My DD and her three children have recently moved house. She'd been living in a daze for such a while that she was inundated with laundry.

I've been trying to keep on top of it all for her - hopefully a fresh start with a 'clean slate' will help her to keep motivated. Have to admit to resorting to the TD last weekend to 'finish off' what the washing line and whirlygig couldn't cope with. NOW she has to sort out what doesn't fit the kids any more and then find enough drawers and coathangers to get it all put away while it's still clean .

Although I try to limit it's use - I wouldn't be without my TD altogether :rolleyes:.

avstar

Oh thanks for all the tips ad all your experiences, glad I'm not the only one who battles with the laundry!

The rotary drier cover looks fab! What a fantastic idea...altho I'd had to buy a rotary drier as just got a washing line - will look out on freecycle first. The gazebo idea is good, nearly bought one when they were v cheap on Tesco Direct a few months back (about £10 I think) but didn't cos I thought it was a waste of money and I'd never use it as I don't have much time to spend in the garden :rolleyes:

Already got a couple of drier thingy's that hang from the radiators, altho I think I over pack them and then you get the dreaded 'foisty' smell.

I'll try and get an indoor airer. I always leave the oven door open after I've finished using it to let the heat warm up the house so prob put the airer in front of that....not too close obviously! I don't have little kids in the house so should be OK.

Minihauk

When at home, I love to dry washing on the line outside - it smells so nice and fresh. In winter it goes on to the rails that hook over the radiator, or over the door for big things like towels and duvet covers.
At the moment I am house-sitting - there is a dryer and no washing line, so because it is just me, I drape stuff around dining/kitchen chairs overnight and it looks like a chinese laundryThe clothes are usually dry by morning so things get back to normal quite quickly.