I’m a mum & my ‘airflow’ hack is key for drying clothes quickly in winter – WITHOUT making your home too cold
AS temperatures drop, many of us will be tempted to turn on the heating.
However, with energy prices on the rise, adding an extra layer might be the more budget-friendly choice for most Brits.
But it’s not just about keeping warm; a cold house can also slow down how quickly your washing dries.
And for those who don’t wish to put their heating on, they may be suffering exactly this.
However, one homeowner has taken to online forum Mumsnet to reveal a quick clothes drying hack which will save you from putting on the heating.
It came after one social media use made a post asking others how they dry their clothes without using a dryer.
They continued to write: “We live in quite an old property and I worry about causing damp/mould
“Anyone on here with young children who don’t use a dryer? How have you found it?
“Before our daughter I never had a dryer, I just opened the windows every day and I was out five days a week at work.
“Now between me and my partner we are home five days a week and will need to heat the property and I feel like it would be unfair to my daughter letting it get as cold as it did before we had her.
“Really worrying, hoping for ideas, solutions and to hear what others are doing?”
Many people rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts, with some recommending a heated airer, or clothes horse.
But one person suggested a little bit extra which is much cheaper too.
The anonymous Mumsnet user suggested: “I buy clothes that dry quickly (bit late for that now for you).
“I do an extra spin on the washing machine to make sure it’s as dry as possible.
“Dry outside where possible.
This year, I’m planning to try to use the washing line over the winter
Mumsnet comment
“We often put stuff on the airer which we move inside after it’s been out for a bit.
“Shirts are hung on hangers on the curtain rails, with the window on the latch for airflow.
“Then we have a heated airer in front of the same window.”
Another person who “hates having wet washing around the house” and would rather “use the tumble dryer for ease” also suggested an additional tip.
How to dry wet washing inside, in winter
Drying rack or airer
Load up your airer with wet washing and place near a heat source – like a radiator or direct sunlight – to help distribute air around your clothes.
Dehumidifier
Plug in a dehumidifier in a room with clothes hanging to dry quickly and prevent dampness and mould. Many now have a laundry setting.
Tumble dryer
A tumble dryer can heat moisture out of wet washing, saving time and can be used in any weather.
Heated airer
Many brands and shops now sell heated airers for as little as £30. The racks heat through electricity and can speed up drying time.
Open a window
Choose a spare room or unused room for keeping your washing and crack open a window, but close the door behind you.
Using curtain poles
Hang wet washing on radiators then hook them onto curtain poles with radiators below. The heat will rise and dry the items. Alternatively, if you have a shower curtain pole, hang your clothes in the bathroom with a window open.
They wrote: “This year, I’m planning to try to use the washing line over the winter.
“Clothes will dry if there is a bit of sun and a breeze so I’m going to try to do that as much as possible.
“Even if they’re not fully dry by the end of the day, hopefully I’d have made a good dent in the moisture content ready for a quick blast in the tumble dryer to finish off.”
“Also going to be much more selective about whether clothes actually need washing or not.”
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.