I have a dryer, but I don’t like to use it all the time as it runs up the electricity bill. Instead, I air dry laundry on large drying racks and use a cheap dehumidifier to speed up the process, especially in spring when humidity is high with 'April showers'.
For a long time, I’d put off investing in this appliance, as I wrongly thought I had to pay out for an expensive one.
But actually, an affordable $49 dehumidifier from Amazon is just as good for my small drying space and halves the time it takes to dry my laundry indoors.
A budget humidifier will work just fine in small spaces
I bought mine to quickly dry a ceiling leak and then realized a little dehumidifier can do lots of things, including drying my laundry indoors much quicker than without.
I opted for a budget-friendly 1800 ml dehumidifier with a 5/5 star customer rating, a timer, and an auto shut-off function, much like this highly-rated and popular appliance.
How I use a dehumidifier to speed up air drying laundry
Knowing the best place to put a dehumidifier is the key for optimal results. I place mine on the counter directly next to wet clothes I am drying, at a distance of about 1-2 feet. Then I make sure the vents that suck in the humid air are facing my wet laundry.
This works to halve the normal time it takes for the laundry to dry, meaning I can put on more loads of laundry and not wait agonizing days for it to dry naturally.
I don’t like running the dehumidifier overnight while we are sleeping, so I put it on a 12-hour timer in the day-time, or have it run till we go up to bed around 10 pm.
As we head into April, this is especially important because the increased humidity means the air in your home may generally have more moisture than normal, slowing down the laundry drying process. It's also a time of year when chilly days creep up on us out of nowhere, leading to less ventilation in the home.
Other products to help you air dry laundry quickly
When in use, this rust-resistant drying rack holds up to 78 lbs of wet laundry, and needs 60''L x 22''W floor space. But once you're done, it folds down to just 22''W x 2.75''D x 39''H so you can neatly tuck it away easily. Spreading out clothes helps air circulate better and the moisture be wicked away quicker.
If you have a bigger room to cover, this affordable dehumidifier loved by Walmart shoppers covers up to 800 sq. ft, boasts an auto shut off function and has a built-in handle for easy portability.
Enjoy a helping hand with this high-efficiency heated rack to help clothes dry in as little as 180 minutes without wrinkles. This has a sturdy steel frame, can hold around 30 lbs of laundry and built-in safety features including auto shut-off.
A dehumidifier isn’t only good for drying laundry quickly. I used it to dry a ceiling leak in the kitchen in a matter of days. It’s also a brilliant way to reduce the risk of mold in spring or tackle basement rooms with excess humidity and mold.
