We won't beat around the bush… Energy bills are a nightmare. The soaring cost of gas and electricity has made it more challenging than ever to keep up with your finances. You're not alone if you're worried about those costs stacking up. Over two-thirds of Brits are concerned about how to heat their homes due to rising energy costs.
That means that drying your clothes can be tricky. But, if you're not using your central heating (as much!) and don't want to use your tumble dryer, another option exists. Believe it or not, you can learn how to use a dehumidifier to dry clothes. Should you have no idea where to start, you have come to the right place. The following guide will look at how you can use this household appliance to get the job done. So get comfortable and prepare to learn one of the best money-saving hacks you'll ever hear.
What is a dehumidifier?
Ahead of delving into this topic, there's one thing that you may be wondering. What on earth is a dehumidifier? If you've never used this appliance before, you may not know what it is or how it works. Luckily, as always, we have the answers. Put simply, a dehumidifier is an appliance that removes moisture from the air in a space. So, for example, if you are worried about a specific area in your home getting damp or if you have condensation on your walls, you might use one.
According to Explain That Stuff, dehumidifiers work a little like vacuum cleaners. That is to say that they suck things out of the environment around them. While vacuums get rid of things like dust and bits, dehumidifiers extract any humidity (or moisture!) in the air around them. That means that you can put it in a room and lower the overall humidity of the environment. The appliances use an electric fan to draw moisture inward. Here's how:
Step 1: Moisture is sucked in through the vents in the machine.
Step 2: The electric fan moves and aims to suck the moisture into the appliance.
Step 3: The dehumidifier has cooling pipes inside it. When the moisture moves over these pipes, it turns back into liquid.
Step 4: The air comes back out of the dehumidifier. However, it is now 100% free of water, meaning the room is drier.
Step 5: The water is collected at the bottom of the dehumidifier. It is stored inside a collecting tray (usually at the bottom of the appliance), which you must empty.
Step 6: The electric fan will stop working when the collecting tray is full. There may also be a light on the side of the dehumidifier. You need to empty the tray for it to work again.
Of course, there's a variety of dehumidifiers out there, and they are not all the same. However, the above steps give you a basic idea of how these machines work. When you get a dehumidifier for your home, read the manual before getting started.
Can you dry clothes with a dehumidifier?
The short answer is yes. Since your dehumidifier takes moisture out of the air and environment, you can use it to help your clothes to dry faster. That's great news if you are looking for a quick way to save money regarding your bills.
It costs around 16p to run a standard dehumidifier for an hour. When you compare that to the £1.77 per cycle it costs to run a tumble dryer on average; it's a significant saving! For that reason, many people use a dehumidifier to help their clothes to dry faster in their homes.
How does a dehumidifier dry clothes?
As we have already covered, dehumidifiers extract moisture from the air. By the same logic, if there are damp clothes in the area, you should find that they help them to dry. Since the home appliance is sucking moisture out of the environment, it will do the same to your clothing. Simply putting your wet clothing near the machine may be a huge help.
A dehumidifier will not dry clothes as a tumble dryer does. So you shouldn't expect miracles. However, putting this appliance in the same room where you are drying clothes may mean they dry faster. What's more, since your clothing is not exposed to high temperatures, you don't run the risk of damaging them.
How to use a dehumidifier to dry clothes: top tips
Ready to get started with this drying hack? If you want to know how to use a dehumidifier to dry clothes, you've come to the right place. Getting this right takes you little time or effort. The next time you've done your laundry, you might want to give this one a whirl. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you get started when drying clothes indoors.
● Choose a confined space
First, you want to choose a confined space to dry your clothes indoors. If you have a spare room or a conservatory, you might find that this makes a perfect area. When you switch the dehumidifier on, it will suck moisture out of the air. The smaller the room, the less work it has to do. That means that it can take the water out of your clothes.
● Space your clothing out
When discussing how to dry washing with a dehumidifier, here's a hint you don't want to overlook. It's important to space your clothing out when hanging it up. If it's too close together, it will take longer to dry. The more space you can give it, the more effective the dehumidifier will be. Hang your clothing out on an airer to start with.
● Shut the door!
Place the dehumidifier near your clothes. That way, it will have the best chance of extracting moisture from them while hanging. After doing all of the above, the next step is to turn the appliance on and shut the door. You should leave your clothing in the room with the dehumidifier on for as long as possible.
● Check your clothes periodically
Don't want to leave the dehumidifier on for too long? That's not a problem. Check your clothing every hour or so. This drying hack is super effective so the results may surprise you. While you may be used to using a washer dryer to dry your clothes, this option is cheaper and less likely to damage your garments. Give it a go!
How long does a dehumidifier take to dry clothes?
That depends mainly on the room size, how much laundry you are trying to dry, and how effective the dehumidifier is. However, as a general rule, you can expect your clothes to dry in three to five hours. Be sure to check your clothing at regular intervals.
Now that you know how to dry clothes using a dehumidifier, what are you waiting for? In this guide, we have covered the basics. Ensure you invest in the best dehumidifier for your needs and budget. Using the appliance to make your clothing dry quicker is a real hack. Don't gatekeep it. Be sure to tell all of your friends and family about this one.
Q&A
Are you still looking for some answers? Don't panic — we've got everything you need. Instead, check out a few of the most frequently asked questions below.
Is a dehumidifier an excellent way to dry clothes?
Yes! Using a dehumidifier to dry your clothes is a smart move. This is a cost-effective and safe drying hack. Simply invest in a decent dehumidifier and use it when drying clothes.
Will a dehumidifier stop clothes from smelling damp?
Using a dehumidifier to dry clothes can help them to smell less damp. However, if you notice that your clean laundry regularly has a damp smell, you may want to do something about it. Often enough, ventilation is the issue. First, ensure enough fresh air in the room where you're drying clothes indoors.
Can a dehumidifier make a room too dry?
Yes. When you use a dehumidifier too often, you may find that it makes the air in your home too dry. If that happens, it can lead to a variety of skin problems. Therefore, you must use your appliance in moderatDon'tDon’t leave it on 24/7!
Can you use a dehumidifier to dry shoes?
Absolutely! In fact, it's one of the best ways to dry shoes. Place the shoes near the appliance to speed up drying time.
Do you prefer using a tumble dryer or a dehumidifier for drying clothes? Let us know in the comments below!
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