Drying laundry during the winter months can be a real challenge, particularly if you don't have access to a tumble dryer. With energy bills on the rise, those trying to cut back on their heating usage may find drying their clothes an almost impossible task.
However, some solutions can help with drying damp clothes, such as using a dehumidifier to extract excess moisture from the air or investing in heated airers.
A heated airer is essentially an electrically powered clothes horse designed for indoor use. They're typically foldable racks made from metal or plastic rods, and some models even feature multiple tiers or arms for hanging clothes.
These devices work by warming the rods with electric heating elements, which then radiate heat onto the clothes. Some models come equipped with timers or adjustable heat settings for added convenience.
The process is simple: hang your wet clothes on the rack, plug in the airer, and let it do its job. While they're not as quick as tumble dryers, they are significantly more energy-efficient, although it can take a bit longer for clothes to dry, reports the Express.
I was initially thrilled to try out my heated airer, which I bought for approximately £95 three years ago.
There are a wide variety of options available on the market, but I got mine from Dunelm and later tried a less expensive £40 model from Aldi.
While the concept is fantastic, the heated rods only dry the parts of the fabric that are in direct contact with them, meaning you'll need to regularly rotate your clothes, and some areas might not dry at all.
Some heated airers come with a cover, which improves their effectiveness slightly, but some areas remain untouched.
One advantage, however, was that the room housing the heated airer was noticeably warmer than the rest of the house, aiding in drying the remaining clothes.
But are they worth the investment?
I'm not convinced. They can be quite a hefty purchase, and considering their performance doesn't match up to a dehumidifier, which is similarly priced, I believe your money could be better spent elsewhere.
I might use it from time to time, but I find myself reaching for the dehumidifier more often as it proves to be more effective.
That said, if you have an abundance of baby clothes, underwear or socks, a heated airer could be beneficial as smaller clothing items will dry quickly.