December 8th, 2021 by Sarah Miles

Summer weather makes getting washing dry easy, free, and kind to clothes but the cold temperatures and rain in winter mean drying washing outdoors is almost impossible. Sadly, laundry still needs doing so we need to find alternative methods that are convenient, low cost, energy-efficient, and won’t damage fabrics.

You may already think you have this in the bag, after all, it’s not your first winter, but just how good are your usual strategies – especially in the context of climate change and an ever-deepening energy crisis?

A clothes airer may be something your grandmother used to dry washing but often these original ideas are the best, especially when brought up to date with the addition of heat. Here is why a heated airer is the best way to dry washing when it’s raining or, indeed, throughout the winter.

Why a heated airer beats other methods of indoor drying

It’s energy-efficient

A heated airer is effectively like a standard clothes airer but each rail is heated through mains electricity. Think of it as a towel rail in the bathroom but with more drying space and doesn’t run from your gas central heating.

Clearly, the lowest-energy method is to use a standard, non-heated airer but clothes take a long time to dry on them. A heated airer is really the next best thing in terms of energy efficiency as it only costs around 4p an hour to run. Compare that to the average cost of 67p per cycle to run a tumble dryer and you can see there is a huge difference.

Homefront Slimline Free Standing Electric Clothes Airer

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It also beats hanging clothes on a radiator for energy efficiency as that will just block the heat and compromise the warmth of the room. Boilers will work harder trying to bring the ambient temperature up, using even more energy. With current high gas prices, this can become really expensive.

Of course, it’s not just the impact on your energy bills that you need to consider; the less energy you consume, the better it is for the planet.

It’s kind to clothes

Hanging clothes on an airer is not only kind to the fabric, due to the gentle heat, but will require minimal ironing which puts less stress on fabrics and means less work for you. Tumble dryers, on the other hand, can be too much for delicate materials and you risk shrinking or damaging them.

Again, from an ecological perspective, it’s much better to take good care of clothes and keep them for longer than to continuously buy new ones.

It has less potential risk

While any electrical appliance can never be said to have zero risks, a heated airer is very safe compared to other methods. There have been concerns over some tumble dryers overheating, and even igniting, in recent years with a number of models being recalled and safety guidelines recommending not using them while out of the house or in bed.

While drying washing on the radiators doesn’t carry an imminent risk to safety in this way, it can cause dampness and damage to walls over time which can be a costly issue to resolve.

It’s efficient

Clothes will dry on a heated airer much faster than you think, especially if you choose a model with a zip cover.. This retains the heat and allows it to circulate around the clothes, drying them faster. A cover also prevents damp from escaping into the room.

Homefront Electric Heated Clothes Airer Drying Rack with Free Zip Cover

Price: £160.00

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You will find it dries clothes much faster than a radiator as you have much more hanging space that all has equal contact with heat (radiators can’t accommodate many items of clothing – certainly not a whole load).

More conducive to modern living

With many modern homes incorporating open plan living spaces that include a kitchen, diner, and lounge areas, nobody wants to eat dinner or watch TV with the sound of a tumble dryer whirring in the background. A heated airer is obviously silent.

It’s also portable. You can put a heated airer anywhere with access to power. That means it can be used out of the way in a spare bedroom, utility room, or even a cellar or garage: you neither have to see it or walk round it! They can also be folded up and stored very easily when not in use, making them a versatile and convenient way to dry your washing.