When rainy weather drags on, drying washing indoors can become slow, expensive and frustrating, especially if you’re trying to avoid using a tumble dryer.
Following one of the wettest Januarys on record, and no sign of rain stopping in February, many face damp air already hanging in the home, and clothes can take all day to dry and increase the risk of condensation and mould.
But testing shows there’s a faster and cheaper way to dry clothes indoors, even when it’s cold and wet outside.
Why clothes dry so slowly in wet weather
During periods of rain, outdoor humidity rises and indoor air struggles to absorb more moisture.
Hanging washing inside without airflow simply adds water vapour to the room, slowing evaporation and leaving clothes damp for hours.
This is why indoor drying often fails in autumn and winter.
The quickest way to dry clothes without a tumble dryer
The most effective solution is to use a dehumidifier paired with a fan.
Testing by Meaco found that combining a desiccant dehumidifier with a pedestal fan dried a full load of washing in just 1 hour 50 minutes — the fastest indoor drying result achieved without using a tumble dryer.
The fan moves air across the clothes, while the dehumidifier actively removes moisture from the room.
Desiccant dehumidifiers also produce gentle warmth, making them especially effective in cooler homes during rainy spells.
Is it cheaper than using a tumble dryer?
Very much so. Running this setup costs around 32p per load, saving more than £1 each time compared with tumble drying. Using a compressor dehumidifier with a fan took longer, at 2 hours 45 minutes, but reduced running costs further to around 14p per dry.
The fastest drying setup was the Meaco DD8L Pro desiccant dehumidifier paired with a pedestal fan, drying clothes in just 1 hour 50 minutes at a cost of around 32 pence per dry.
The lowest running cost came from using a Meaco Arete One 20L compressor dehumidifier with a pedestal fan, at an estimated cost of 14 pence per dry.
Both setups are over £1 per load cheaper than using a tumble dryer.
How to set it up at home
- Hang washing on an airer in a small, closed room
- Place the fan so it blows across the clothes, not directly at them
- Position the dehumidifier nearby to pull moisture from the air
- Keep doors and windows closed for best results
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Extra benefits of indoor drying this way
Reducing humidity helps prevent condensation, damp and mould, protecting walls, furniture and fabrics.
Rooms also feel drier and more comfortable in winter, while the fan can be reused in summer for low-cost cooling.
If rainy weather is stopping you from drying clothes outside, a dehumidifier-and-fan setup is one of the fastest, cheapest and most energy-efficient ways to dry washing indoors, without relying on a tumble dryer.
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