How to dry your bedding inside without using a tumble dryer or spending a lot of money on heating
AS the weather gets colder and wetter, we often have no choice but to dry our bedding and sheets in the house.
But this isn’t always the easiest thing, especially if you’re strapped on space or don’t have a bannister to chuck them over.
With energy prices still high as the cost of living crisis impacts millions of Brits, turning the heating on isn’t always an affordable option either.
If you want to keep your bed sheets smelling fresh and totally damp-free this winter, there’s still hope.
Experts at Bensons for Beds have shared their top three tips for ensuring your bed sheets get bone dry as quickly as possible.
Run an Extra Spin Cycle
The spin cycle on your washing machine is a handy tool when it comes to getting rid of excess moisture, the experts say.
They recommend popping bedding on an extra spin cycle after they’ve finished washing.
It’ll help wring out extra moisture and means the sheets come out of the washing machine half-way to being dry.
“That said, always check the label on your bed sheets and other laundry items as some fabrics are too delicate for a higher intensity spin,” they warned. “And others, such as cotton and linen, are prone to creasing.
“Adjust your washing machine so that it’s set to a lower spin speed. Faster doesn’t necessarily mean better, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
“The results of an extra spin cycle could help you dry clothing and bedding indoors much more easily – even during the colder months.”
Once you’ve done that, you can hang them on your clothes horse or inside line.
Use a Fan
It might seem counterproductive in winter, but a fan is far cheaper to run than a tumble dryer.
Simply hang your sheets up as normal and set a fan near the clothes horse or line.
“In winter, using your fan next to your airer (as long as you leave a window open) could help to speed up the indoor drying process,” Bensons for Beds explained.
“Your fan keeps the air around your washing in circulation which can enhance the efficiency of indoor drying time and keep mould and mildew growth at bay in tandem.
“One thing to note is that you will need to leave that window open.
“Doing so allows the excess moisture to escape the room as the wet bedding and other washing items dry.”
Splurge on a Heated Airer
There’s a reason they’re going viral on TikTok – it’s because they actually work.
Buying a heated clothes airer can set you back around £50 to £150, but could save you money on indoor drying costs long-term.
“Depending on the energy consumption (kWh) of your chosen model, running costs will be somewhere between 3p and around 30p per hour,” the experts said.
“When compared with a tumble dryer, which can cost anywhere from around 60p per hour upwards, it could work out to be a way more affordable option.”