As winter tightens its grip, households across the UK are facing the perennial challenge of drying laundry without racking up huge energy bills. While air drying is the cheapest method, it often leaves clothes damp and musty, forcing many to rely on expensive tumble dryers.
The Popular Alternatives: Heated Airers and Dehumidifiers
In search of a more economical solution, many have turned to two popular appliances: the heated airer and the dehumidifier. Both promise faster drying times than a standard clothes horse, but a clear favourite has emerged from a recent online debate.
The discussion was sparked when Gemma Dawn asked the Mrs Hinch Army Cleaning Tips Facebook group for advice on January 11, 2026. She questioned whether to invest in a heated airer or a dehumidifier to use with a standard airer, noting the costs were similar.
Verdict from the Cleaning Community
The post received a significant 137 comments, with an overwhelming majority championing the dehumidifier. Users shared practical experiences that highlighted the drawbacks of heated airers and the efficiency of moisture-removing devices.
Jackie Rowe stated plainly: "Dehumidifier 100 percent. I tried a heated airer, got fed up having to move the clothes around." This sentiment was echoed by Kayleigh Radford, who found her heated airer didn't speed up drying and just "wasted electricity".
Others, like Dawn Chaplin, were even more dismissive, noting that heated rails only dry the fabric in direct contact and choosing not to plug hers in at all.
Why the Dehumidifier Wins
In contrast, dehumidifier owners reported impressive results. Lynsey Muirhead expressed shock at "the amount of water" collected after just two days, demonstrating how effectively the device pulls moisture from the air.
Paula Jenkins vouched for its speed, claiming it "dries the clothes in half the time a heated airer does." This was confirmed by Dean James, who sold his heated airer after finding it "rubbish" compared to a dehumidifier with a dedicated laundry setting.
Several commenters, including Sylvia Wisniewska and Nicola Reed, praised models with a specific laundry function, calling them "game-changing" and the "best thing ever." The consensus is clear: for faster drying and lower running costs, a dehumidifier is the superior winter laundry aid.
