I can't count how many times I've had to rewash laundry because it developed that horrible damp smell after air-drying indoors. On a mission to solve this weekly frustration, I turned to my colleagues here at Homebuilding & Renovating to see if they had a solution.
Below, they've revealed their favourite methods for drying laundry indoors – from using one of the best dehumidifiers as an energy-efficient alternative to a tumble dryer, to a traditional pulley rack to save valuable floor space (while also putting a rustic spin on your utility room).
To find out the best way to dry laundry (without the need for a tumble dryer or outdoor space), keep reading.
Article continues below1. Traditional pulley rack
🏆Best for saving floor space
Our web editor, Amy Willis, swears by her traditional pulley rack for drying her laundry, praising its space-saving design that frees up valuable floor space in her utility room. While she initially bought it for aesthetic reasons, she has found it to be very practical too – keeping her laundry up and out of the way, while drying it quickly.
"We had a bit of difficulty finding the joists when fitting it (meaning we now have a collection of holes we need to fill), but once that was out of the way, it's become a laundry essential for us.
"I tend to leave it hoisted and reach up to put wet clothing on it to dry. I've actually been surprised how quickly things dry on there too. I don't know if it is because heat rises or because it is well spaced between the rails but I've never had a damp clothing problem – even with my hand washing."
This Victorian-style pulley rack features four drying rails and comes with all the fixtures you need for easy installation.
Amy spent over a decade in London editing and writing for The Daily Telegraph, MailOnline, and Metro.co.uk before moving to East Anglia where she began renovating a period property in rural Suffolk. During this time she also did some TV work at ITV Anglia and CBS as well as freelancing for Yahoo, AOL, ESPN and The Mirror.
2. Dehumidifier
🏆Best for energy-efficiency
You've probably heard of using a dehumidifier to tackle condensation and damp, but what about drying laundry with a dehumidifer? These moisture-busting machines are an excellent, energy-efficient alternative to tumble dryers and could save you up to £664.30 annually, according to Chris Michael, co-founder of Meaco.
Dehumidifiers are also quieter, take up less space, and are gentler on clothes in comparison. The only real caveat is that they are significantly slower, taking around five hours longer to dry.
Homebuilding's editor Beth Murton recommends Meaco's DD8L dehumidifier for drying wet clothes, which she uses on its dedicated laundry setting. When placed next to her clothes airer, she likes how it keeps her clothes free of damp smells and her home free of excess moisture, while also reducing the energy costs of drying.
"It's made a huge difference to how quickly my washing dries indoors," says Beth. "It also means I don't have to have the central heating on all the time to get clothes dry. Getting large items like duvet covers dry quickly without a tumble dryer can be particularly problematic, but I've found my dehumidifier makes light work of those too."
Costing just 9p per hour to run, this dehumidifier extracts up to eight litres per day and features a laundry mode and an antibacterial filter.
For the past 20+ years, Beth has worked for and contributed to a number of leading magazines and websites in the UK, including Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, Ideal Home, Period Living and Grand Designs.
3. Heated airer and dehumidifier combo
🏆Best for quick results
One of the biggest problems with drying clothes indoors is the risk of damp and mould growth in your home. To tackle this common dilemma, our assistant editor, Sarah Harley, runs her dehumidifier and heated airer at the same time – a powerful combination that ensures excess moisture is removed from the air while her clothes dry nicely on the rails.
She explains, "Although it means running two devices at once, they both have a relatively low energy consumption. I also do all my drying on a small landing where there's a radiator, and close the bedroom doors while the airer and dehumidifier are on. It ensures both products are working hard on drying the clothes, rather than heating or absorbing moisture from the rooms around the landing.
"Although nothing beats drying outside in the fresh air, in flats or during winter, I'd always recommend this double-pronged approach as the quickest way to dry items, and more importantly, reduce excess moisture permeating into your home."
This dehumidifier has Sarah's stamp of approval, featuring a laundry mode that leaves her clothes feeling softer and easier to iron.
This foldable heated airer costs just 9p an hour to run, and holds up to 15 kg of laundry across three tiers.
Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listing building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs.
While a tumble dryer is the obvious solution for drying laundry quickly, these options are excellent alternatives for saving money and electricity while avoiding damp smells and cumbersome rails.
For more expert advice, read our comparison of dehumidifiers vs tumble dryers or browse our favourite laundry room ideas.
