Drying Clothes Indoors: Radiators vs Heated Clothes Airers

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Drying Clothes Indoors: Radiators vs Heated Clothes Airers

It is important to note that in this article we are looking at traditional UK radiators connected to a central heating system, it goes without saying that you should never put clothing over vents.

As temperatures drop, drying clothes indoors becomes essential for many UK households. Radiators and heated clothes airers are two popular choices, each with its own advantages and potential drawbacks. In this guide, we’ll look at both options to help you decide the best way to dry clothes indoors to suit your space, energy use, and drying needs best.

Drying Clothes on Radiators

Drying clothes on radiators is a common practice in many homes (remember those school nights where you needed something the next morning?), especially as it’s convenient and doesn’t require any additional appliances. However, it’s important to consider its effect on your home environment and heating costs.

It is important to note that in this article we are looking at traditional UK radiators connected to a central heating system, it goes without saying that you should never put clothing over vents.

Pros of drying clothes on a radiator:

• Cost-Free (Sort of): If your heating is already on, drying clothes on radiators doesn’t require additional electricity, making it an easy and initially cost-free solution. This said, covering your radiator with clothes can make your heaters less efficient during this time which could see your system working harder to keep up with your set temperature.

• Quick Drying: Radiators produce substantial heat, which can dry clothes relatively quickly, particularly small items.

• Space-Saving: Radiators are already part of the room, so they don’t require additional space as a drying appliance would.

Cons of drying clothes on a radiator:

• Increased Heating Costs: Covering radiators with clothes can reduce the amount of heat released into the room, meaning your boiler may work harder to maintain room temperature. This can lead to increased heating costs in the long run. If you are putting the heating on at times where you would not usually this is also going to most probably increase your costs more than using a heated airer or dehumidifier.

• High Humidity: Drying clothes on radiators releases moisture into the air, which can quickly lead to condensation, damp, and even mould—particularly in smaller or poorly ventilated rooms. A dehumidifier can help with this if this is the option you are looking at.

• Possible Odours: When damp clothes are left on radiators in closed rooms, humidity and lack of airflow can sometimes lead to musty smells.

• Damage: Delicate fabrics might get damaged if the radiator is hot enough. To negate this you could pop a radiator airer onto your radiator to give some distance between the radiator and the clothing.

Using a Heated Clothes Airer to Dry Clothes Indoors

A heated clothes airer offers a dedicated drying solution without the risks of blocking heat flow from your heating system or raising indoor humidity as significantly. These plug-in racks produce gentle heat through heated bars that dry clothes evenly over time.

These can come in many forms, but the the sake of this article we are going to be looking at a tiered heated clothes airer such as the Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer or the more basic winged version such as this PIFCO Winged Heated Clothes Airer as the other air powered models are more expensive to run and not as efficient as they seem in my experiences. It can pay to invest in a heated airer cover as it keeps heat in and can dry clothing quicker.

Pros of Using a Heated Clothes Airer to Dry Clothes Indoors

• Efficient Drying: Heated clothes airers dry clothes more gently and consistently than radiators. This is beneficial for delicate fabrics, as it minimises the risk of overheating and damaging clothing.

• Energy-Efficient: Compared to turning up the radiator or running a tumble dryer, heated airers are typically very energy-efficient, costing just pennies per hour to run.

• Reduced Condensation: Since clothes on a heated airer aren’t blocking your radiators, the airer doesn’t interfere with your home heating. Additionally, the gentle heat means less moisture is released into the air at once, reducing indoor humidity spikes. Even so, it's still important to ensure airflow or run a dehumidifier alongside this which can speed up drying by taking heat out of the air.

• Portable: Heated airers can be set up wherever it’s most convenient, and many models are foldable, making them easy to move and store when not in use.

Cons of Using a Heated Clothes Airer to Dry Clothes Indoors

• Slower Drying than Radiators: Although efficient, heated airers provide gentle heat, so drying can take longer than on a radiator. As previously mentioned, using a dehumidifier alongside can speed up drying by taking heat out of the air.

• Upfront Cost: Heated clothes airers come with an initial purchase price, though they’re generally affordable and energy-efficient in the long term. If you consider that you will likely save on heating and your clothes may last longer due to the low and slow temperature and drying time, this would be a good saving over time.

• Requires Space: Heated airers do need some floor space, which might be challenging in smaller homes. However, their slim design means they’re generally easy to fit into a corner.

Combining Radiators and Heated Clothes Airers to Dry Clothes Indoors

Using both radiators, and a heated airer strategically can help optimise drying without the drawbacks of radiator drying alone. Here’s how they can complement each other:

1. Divide Drying Needs: Use your heated airer for larger, damp or delicate items to reduce humidity, while drying smaller items like socks and hand towels on radiators if needed. If you can, make sure to move the items around on the airer so that different parts of the garment can touch the bars.

2. Room Zoning: Place the heated airer in a different room from your main heating source so you aren’t creating excess humidity in a single room. This is less of an issue when using a dehumidifier.

3. Reduce Overall Heating Costs: With a heated airer taking on most of the drying, your radiators don’t need to work as hard, helping to maintain room temperature without a large excess of energy use.

Which Indoor Drying Method Is Right for You?

• For Cost-Effective Indoor Drying Without Excessive Damp: Heated clothes airers are the ideal choice, offering gentle drying with minimal impact on room humidity and heating costs.

• For Quick, Occasional Drying: If you just need to dry a few items and are already using your radiators, laying items across them can be quick, but be mindful of blocking airflow.

• Best for Larger Loads: If drying large loads, a heated clothes airer with space for multiple items offers controlled, gentle drying without pushing up your heating bill.

Using a Standard Airer vs. Heated Airer: Which is Best for Drying Clothes Indoors?

When it comes to drying clothes indoors, both standard and heated airers have their pros and cons. A standard airer is a budget-friendly option, requiring no electricity and offering a simple way to air out laundry. However, they can take longer to dry clothes, especially in cooler, damp conditions.

On the other hand, a heated airer uses built-in heating elements to speed up the drying process, making it ideal for colder months when a standard airer might struggle. While it uses electricity, it’s more energy-efficient than a tumble dryer and can help prevent damp smells by circulating warm air around your clothes. If you’re looking for a faster, more efficient option, a heated airer is a solid investment, but if you're on a budget and have time to wait, a standard airer will still do the job.

If you are looking for a standard airer, I use the Minky 3 Tier Plus Clothes Airer as it's sturdy, spacious and folds away for storage - it's also compact enough to move throughout the house to place in warmer areas, by windows or outside.

How to Stop Clothes Smelling Damp When Drying Indoors

To prevent clothes from smelling damp when drying indoors, proper ventilation and space are crucial. Another crucial step is to take your clothing out of the washing machine as soon as it is finished. Once your wash is complete, start by spreading clothes out on an airer rather than overcrowding them, as airflow around each item helps moisture evaporate more effectively.

Position your airer in a well-ventilated room, ideally near an open window or with a fan to keep air moving. Using a dehumidifier (Ideally with a closed window) can also make a big difference, as it pulls excess moisture from the air, reducing drying time and the chance of musty odours. We have plenty of articles providing overviews of dehumidifiers published and scheduled for the future which you can read on this site, however, if I had to pick one that covers most environments, is reliable and affordable I would go for the Hangsun 20 Litre a Day Dehumidifier. If you wanted more information on dehumidifiers we have that for you!

Can You Dry Clothes Outside in Winter?

You might be wondering how to dry clothes outdoors in winter. Drying clothes outside in winter in the UK is possible, but choosing the right day is key, and checking humidity levels can make all the difference. A "dry day" for laundry means the relative humidity is low—ideally below 60-70%—as higher levels slow the evaporation of water from your clothes which may mean that even if the clothes are outside all day not much will happen.

You can check the day’s forecast on a weather app, looking for a combination of low humidity, light breezes, and no rain. Even in winter, sunny or breezy days can help speed up drying, despite the cooler temperatures. If the air feels crisp rather than damp, that’s another good indicator. While drying might not be as fast as in summer, using low-humidity days wisely can save energy and leave your clothes feeling fresh from the outdoors.

Final Thoughts on Drying Clothes Indoors

Both drying methods have their place in indoor laundry routines, and combining them thoughtfully can give you efficient, comfortable drying results. For the energy-conscious or anyone dealing with indoor damp, a heated clothes airer is an excellent, low-cost alternative to drying on radiators, especially in the colder months. You can also look at a radiator airer if you want an affordable option to maximise your radiator drying method.