Drying clothes indoors can be a bit of a headache, right? You’re stuck with laundry draped across every available surface, waiting for what feels like forever, only to be left with rooms that feel damp and musty. If you’ve ever had your home turned into a humid maze of drying clothes during a rainy spell, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.

But what if there was a better way to tackle the problem—one that sped up drying times without turning your home into a steam room? Enter the humble dehumidifier, a simple yet effective solution that’s rapidly growing in popularity – and for good reason.

According to consumer champion Martin Lewis, dehumidifiers are not only cost-effective but also much more energy-efficient than tumble dryers. In fact, he points out that running a dehumidifier can dry your clothes for a fraction of the cost, making it a brilliant option for anyone wanting to keep energy bills low.

In this guide, we’ll show you how dehumidifiers can help with indoor drying, how to choose the right size, and which models are the top picks for the job.

Many people struggle with drying clothes indoors, especially during colder months or in homes with limited outdoor drying space. The typical challenges include:

• Extended drying times: Hanging clothes indoors can take forever to dry, particularly in damp or humid conditions.
• Increased humidity: As wet clothes evaporate, the moisture increases humidity levels, leading to discomfort and potential damp problems.
• Mould and mildew growth: High humidity creates an ideal environment for mould, which not only damages your home but can also cause health issues

This is where dehumidifiers come to the rescue. A dehumidifier works by pulling moisture from the air, reducing humidity levels in the room. This process helps your clothes dry faster without leaving the room feeling damp and stuffy. Compared to tumble dryers, which can be expensive to run and rough on delicate fabrics, dehumidifiers are much gentler and, importantly, cheaper to use.

Dehumidifiers don’t dry clothes by directly blowing hot air on them like tumble dryers do. Instead, they remove the excess moisture in the air around the clothes, speeding up the natural evaporation process. By reducing the humidity in the room, the water in your laundry evaporates more quickly, helping your clothes dry faster.

Other benefits of using a dehumidifier include:

• Preventing musty odours: Damp clothes left to dry in a humid room often develop an unpleasant musty smell. A dehumidifier helps prevent this by keeping the room’s humidity in check.
• Improving indoor air quality: High moisture levels can lead to poor air quality and even trigger allergies or respiratory issues. A dehumidifier ensures the air remains fresh and clean while your clothes dry.
• Gentle on fabrics: Unlike tumble dryers, which can cause shrinkage or wear and tear on your garments, dehumidifiers are gentle, making them ideal for delicate fabrics.

Choosing the right size dehumidifier is crucial for effective drying. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Room size: The larger the room, the more powerful the dehumidifier needs to be. For small spaces like bathrooms or utility rooms, a compact unit will suffice. For larger living rooms or bedrooms, you’ll need something with higher moisture extraction power.
• Amount of laundry: The more clothes you have drying, the more moisture will be released into the air. A small dehumidifier might struggle to cope if you’ve got a full load of wet laundry.
• Baseline humidity: If your home is naturally quite humid, you’ll need a more powerful dehumidifier to balance out the moisture levels.

A general rule of thumb is to opt for a dehumidifier with a 10-litre capacity for small rooms or laundry loads and a 20-litre or higher capacity for larger spaces or heavier drying needs. For precise recommendations, check out the videos below or our VonHaus Dehumidifier Guide.

Not all dehumidifiers are created equal, especially when it comes to drying clothes. Here’s what to look for in a dehumidifier that will excel at drying your laundry:

• Laundry mode: Some dehumidifiers come with a dedicated laundry mode, designed to optimise drying by running continuously at a higher power setting.
• Moisture extraction rate: The higher the extraction rate, the faster your clothes will dry. Look for dehumidifiers with an extraction rate of at least 10 litres per day.
• Energy efficiency: Dehumidifiers are generally much cheaper to run than tumble dryers but choosing an energy-efficient model will save you even more on your energy bills.
• Noise level: Since you’ll be running the dehumidifier for several hours, make sure it operates quietly enough not to disturb your household.

How long does it take for a dehumidifier to dry clothes?

Depending on the size of the room, the amount of laundry, and the power of your dehumidifier, it typically takes anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to dry clothes using a dehumidifier.

Can a dehumidifier completely replace a tumble dryer?

While dehumidifiers can effectively dry clothes, they work at a slower pace compared to tumble dryers. However, they are gentler on fabrics and much more energy efficient.

How energy-efficient is using a dehumidifier for drying clothes?

Dehumidifiers are highly energy-efficient, especially when compared to tumble dryers. According to Martin Lewis, running a dehumidifier can cost as little as 7p per hour, making it a budget-friendly option for drying clothes indoors.

Where should I place my dehumidifier when drying clothes?

Position your dehumidifier in the same room as your drying rack, ideally in a central location. Make sure it’s not too close to the clothes to avoid moisture build-up on the device itself.

Do all dehumidifiers have a laundry mode?

Not all dehumidifiers come with a laundry mode. However, even those without this feature can still effectively dry clothes by running them on continuous mode.

Final Thoughts

Let’s be honest, no one enjoys waiting hours for laundry to dry or dealing with the musty odours that follow. That’s why using a dehumidifier is such a smart move. It’s energy-efficient, cost-effective, and keeps your home from feeling like a rainforest while speeding up drying times. Plus, it helps create a healthier living space by reducing humidity and preventing mould.

So, whether you’ve got a few delicates or a full laundry basket to get through, a dehumidifier can make laundry day a lot easier. Ready to say goodbye to those humid, damp rooms? Check out our range of dehumidifiers and find the perfect one to keep your home—and your laundry—fresh and dry.