Drying laundry inside your home during the cold, damp winter months can feel like a losing battle. With high energy costs and a lack of outdoor space, many of us are forced to find an indoor alternative, often leading to musty smells and lingering dampness.
To cut through the confusion, we put five of the most common indoor drying methods to the test in real-world winter conditions. The goal was clear: to discover which technique actually prevents that dreaded mildew odour from taking hold of your clothes.
The Indoor Drying Challenge: Methods Put to the Test
The experiment evaluated a tumble dryer, a dehumidifier, a heated airer, a standard clothes horse, and the method of using a bathroom extractor fan. Each was assessed on drying speed, freshness of the dried items, running cost, and the amount of moisture released into the room air.
The tests involved typical winter wash loads, including hard-to-dry items like jeans, hoodies, and towels. The results were revealing, with only one method delivering perfectly fresh, odour-free laundry.
From Worst to Best: The Indoor Drying Rankings
Bathroom Extractor Fan (Verdict: 2/10)
Hanging wet laundry in the bathroom and running the extractor fan seems logical, but it proved highly ineffective. Most fans are designed for short-term use during showers, not for hours of continuous operation. The chilly temperature of a bathroom in winter also drastically slows evaporation. If you need to shower, the process is ruined by the influx of steam.
Standard Clothes Horse (Verdict: 3/10)
While the cheapest and most basic option—costing around £10 and using no electricity—it was the worst for causing musty smells. Clothes took days to dry fully, with thick seams and towels staying damp. This prolonged drying period allowed odours to develop, and significant condensation built up in the room.
Heated Airer (Verdict: 4/10)
Tested with the Minky Wing 12m Heated Clothes Airer with Cover (£60 from Argos), this method promised more than it delivered. Drying was patchy, with only areas touching the heated rails drying properly. Thick items remained damp, leading to musty odours, and it did nothing to reduce room condensation. The performance did not justify the price tag.
Dehumidifier (Verdict: 7/10)
A strong performer and a cost-effective runner-up. A quality model, like those from recommended brand Meaco (a similar unit costs around £159.99 at John Lewis), dried clothes faster than air drying and brilliantly combated room condensation and mould. However, in winter, clothes still took one to two days to dry completely, and during this extended time, musty smells could still emerge on thicker fabrics.
The Clear Winner for Fresh, Fast Drying
Tumble Dryer (Verdict: 9/10)
The tumble dryer was the undisputed champion. It was the only method that completely eradicated musty mildew smells. Clothes came out perfectly dry, warm, and ready to wear on the same day, a huge advantage for families with constant laundry.
Bulky items like bedsheets and towels, which languish for days on airers, were handled with ease. The tested model was a Hotpoint Condenser dryer, which collects water in a tub. The primary drawback is cost, as it is the most expensive to run, especially compared to a heat pump dryer. It also requires dedicated space and regular filter maintenance for safety.
For anyone prioritising speed, freshness, and reliability during the damp British winter, the tumble dryer remains unmatched, despite its higher operating cost.
