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Clothes Drying Advice please ?

(219 Posts)
FannyCornforth Thu 08-Sept-22 08:29:45

Hello

I’m sorry if this has been covered elsewhere; I know that we’ve had lots of helpful money saving threads.

I’m already trying to drastically curb my use of the tumble drier as it is so expensive to use.

I’m thinking of buying a heated clothes horse, or a drying pod.
The pod only costs 10p an hour apparently.

Any thoughts? What will you be doing?

Thank you!

Suzique Sun 11-Sept-22 12:32:38

I have two lines in the utility room, which is also where the boiler is.I put everything on hangers, pegging the underwear.
Clothes brought in from outside, that are not quite dry, will dry overnight.
In the winter, wet stuff gets the dehumidifier treatment for an hour or so first, then just left overnight. Works well.

GR206 Sun 11-Sept-22 12:28:04

I found that my Meaco dehumidifier dries my washing quicker than heat. It pulls the moisture out, I purchased the ECO model and it doesn’t light up the ‘orange’ light on the smart meter. I had the dehumidifier because we moved near the sea and naturally there is more moisture in the air, by chance I left it on in a room along with the airer and voila- dry washing. I did turn it and check the tank more often as it fills quicker. I think it kinder to the fabrics too.

Grandma2002 Sun 11-Sept-22 12:23:46

I typed my message then realised there were others with same drying method, clothes drier in spare and takes only overnight to dry.

Esspee Sun 11-Sept-22 12:19:26

Leavesden When dry from the wash line or drying indoors pop into the drier and run on cool to soften up.

Nannashirlz Sun 11-Sept-22 12:18:50

My towels are never hard but then my granny taught me to drop a bit of white vinegar keeps them nice and fluffy and no conditioner lol

MaggsMcG Sun 11-Sept-22 12:10:35

I've seen people hang duvet covers and sheets over the doors. I'd suggest making sure they've been dusted first though.

Leavesden Sun 11-Sept-22 12:08:24

I would be interested in how people dry their towels, without being hard, I use the tumbler for this at moment but it’s costly.

Nannashirlz Sun 11-Sept-22 12:03:41

I actually bought a heated airier from Robert dyer’s online it cost me about £30 last year and it costs me 3p an hour to use and it heats up my living room loving while drying my clothes. In the colder weather. I was looking at the Lakeland one but I thought over a £100 was a lot of money and on QVC ppl weren’t given it good feedback at the time. But mine is brilliant and over £60 quid cheaper lol

Patsytaylor Sun 11-Sept-22 12:02:01

I had a pod but didn't like it. Clothes had to be on hangers and the air circulation wasn't evenly distributed. I have a clothes horse and will use tumble dryer sparingly.

Theoddbird Sun 11-Sept-22 12:01:36

I hang mine outside when I can...even in Winter. I live on a narrow boat and have the old fashioned pulley airer (minus pulley) fixed to ceiling near my multifuel burner. I used to have it fixed to a beam at my previous home. If I can't hang washing out I use it. I don't use fabric softener (cutting down on plastic) so I soften towels and clothes by rubbing the fabric. This is how it used to be done and it really does work. It loosens the threads in the same way a tumble drier does.

Maggiemaybe Sun 11-Sept-22 11:55:17

I also found that its more cost effective to take them to the laundrette to dry in their dryers if you have loads to dry

I think I’d try this in wet weather, Nannan2, if we had a laundrette anywhere near us. For a very short while the service station just down the road had a massive outdoor dryer next to the entrance - it looked a bit odd and obviously didn’t take off as it was soon taken down. It would have easily fitted the two loads I do weekly (one whites) together.

Zetacatty Sun 11-Sept-22 11:52:19

I usually rely heavily on my tumble dryer in winter - and sometimes in summer). But I have an old fashioned wooden clothes horse which I found on eBay. I shall use it in my conservatory. The plants will enjoy the added humidity.

Wake Sun 11-Sept-22 11:50:45

I’d heard that too from my daughter. Her friend has a heated dryer. I use our conservatory in the summer if I can’t hang out but it’s very cold in the winter. I’m thinking of investing in one.

LovelyLady Sun 11-Sept-22 11:50:25

Been thinking perhaps I wash my clothes too often. Of course pants must be washed after each wearing but I’m having an experiment with other clothes and I’m going to wash them less frequently. This will reduce the time of my washing machine and the amount of water used. I have found a cycle on my machine that washes for 15 mins and most of my clothes only need this ‘Sapple’ I remember my granny saying she was going to sapple some clothes, meaning a quick wash. Of course she only washed by hand.

Jens Sun 11-Sept-22 11:44:44

Although I have a dryer possibility in my washing machine, I use it only for pillows. I do this, and it works, very very well.
My washer has a 1400 spin, I suggest this speed as a minimum more if you can.
Empty the machine, get an ordinary non heated but biggest for space you have clothes horse, or air dryer. Important it be fairly tall to accommodate long and drapy things euch as sheets and blankets etc.
Each item must be thoroughly shaken and flicked back into shape. Hang all tops on hangers, hang these on clothes dryer. Start with small stuff on the bottom, give em all a good shake and flick, pull into shape drape, not peg, on bars. Work your way up. When all smallish is done, hang sheets over the top. They dry completely in about 2 days. Relatively crease free. Fold and put away. For trousers I hang these on trouser hangers. Works for me, costs nothing. And no I don't iron a thing but I could I ago e hubby's shirts still need s going over.

NotSpaghetti Sun 11-Sept-22 11:44:00

My neighbour dries all her washing under the old carport janipans so i think it would have worked for you to be honest. My line is in a sheltered spot - close to the house but with no roof - and dries over (maximum) 48 hours even when very cold. I don't bring it in for light showers but do if its actually raining. My mother would be horrified that I wkll leave it out overnight! ?

Like pascal I finish it off over the bannisters or hang on costhangers overnight in doorways.
I have never had problems with damp and don't have z tumble dryer as I've never needed one.
Even with nappies and 5 children I have always managed to line dry things.

It was obvious more difficult when I was out at work full time!

Keffie12 Sun 11-Sept-22 11:42:39

I've been looking at the airers too, from Lakeland!

I haven't had a drier for 20 plus years. When the adult children grew I refused to get a néw one.

Because whilst they were still at home what would happen when our backs were turned, so I wasn't paying the cost of a dtier and how they would use it

The line in summer: radiators and hanging clothes on hangers over night works/ed and it's what still do. Bedding goes over the bedroom doors and dries overnight.

Underwear goes on one of those small hanging airers you can use on the line too. In the winter you can hook the small airers over something in the house, instead of the outside line

I also read if you put the clothes on a normal clothes airer, put it in front of the radiator and throw a large sheet/quilt cover or the like over it, it traps the heat within.

The washing dries on the radiator in 20 minutes that way. I have yet to try it however I will be doing that first to see the costs of before buying one from Lakeland

Mimi1234 Sun 11-Sept-22 11:42:32

As a flat dweller I have no garden and no spare space for a tumble drier. This has never been a problem! A friend rigged up a pulley system next to the window on my hallway landing, which also has high ceilings. I can rack up umpteen garments on coat hangers as well as rugs, sheets directly onto the pole. Winter and summer my laundry dries quickly, and creates a 'fresh linen' fragrance up and down the stairs!!

Scottiebear Sun 11-Sept-22 11:41:13

I have two ordinary clothes horse driers which I stand in front of a radiator. Or put outside in good weather. Usually only need one for washing machine full. Haven't used tumble drier for ages.

DeeDe Sun 11-Sept-22 11:39:49

Spare room ..
Same here this year, I gave my tumble dryer away so I wasn’t
tempted to use it ..

Nannan2 Sun 11-Sept-22 11:39:37

Aldi did a heated airer a bit back for about £40- havent found it online recently though.

Nannan2 Sun 11-Sept-22 11:36:32

I might put up a vileda line indoors (they do one with four lines i think & its extendable& pops back in when done.I might set it up in dining room.My eldest son puts his wash draped up over the doors& with heat rising it works a treat.I also found that its more cost effective to take them to the laundrette to dry in their dryers if you have loads to dry as it only cost me 2.50 for huge amount of washing(could have been less but i only had a 50p not a 20p on me for last few!) I shudder to think how much that lot would have cost in my own dryer on electric. And as laundrette is round corner now weve moved (about 1 minutes drive) didnt use much fuel so son was pleased.(far too many to carry&we are a disabled household)

madeleine45 Sun 11-Sept-22 11:36:23

As long as it is not raining I still put my clothes out on the line to dry. They either dry totally and that is job done, or at least get quite a lot drier, and they smell so much nicer than clothes dried inside. Then I bring them in and anything not dried enough goes on the clothes horse and finishes off

Sheila11 Sun 11-Sept-22 11:33:19

I have ordered an outside retractable washing
line and it’s going up in my garage.

janipans Sun 11-Sept-22 11:33:18

I wanted to have a sheltered area built over my washing line (Wooden posts with open sides and a corrugated PVC roof) at the back of our garage, (an area away from rest of back garden) The cat would also love it as she loves to be outside ... but hates getting wet! Hubby thought it would look unsightly and wouldn't let washing dry as air would be moist if raining etc, so have reluctantly cancelled.
I used to have a retractable line over my bath but have swapped bath for shower now and only room for a clothes maid in there. It is our of the way though and the clothes do dry so that is best we can do to avoid over use of tumble drier.