Cheapest Way to Dry Clothes Indoors UK

Ranking by Cost

From cheapest to most expensive: air drying, heated airer, dehumidifier, heat pump dryer, condenser dryer.

The cost of drying clothes indoors varies significantly depending on the method used. At the current UK energy price cap of 26.32p per kilowatt-hour, each method has a clearly identifiable running cost [S1].

Passive air drying on a standard clothes airer costs nothing in energy terms, though it does require space and takes considerably longer than mechanical methods. The main cost is the time and space it occupies.

Mechanical methods such as heated airers, dehumidifiers, and tumble dryers all consume electricity but dry clothes much faster. The choice between them depends on how quickly you need dry clothes and how much you are willing to spend per load.

• Air drying: free but slow (24–48 hours)
• Heated airer: 30–80p per session, moderate speed
• Dehumidifier with airer: 30–80p per session, faster drying
• Heat pump dryer: 50–80p per load, 2–3 hours
• Condenser dryer: £1–£2 per load, 1–2 hours

Standard Airer (Free)

The cheapest option, but requires patience and suitable indoor space.

A standard clothes airer or pulley costs between £10 and £40 and has zero running costs. Simply hang wet clothes and allow them to dry naturally over 24 to 48 hours depending on the room temperature and ventilation [S1].

To speed up passive drying, place the airer in the warmest room, ideally near a radiator but not blocking it. Opening a window slightly improves airflow and reduces drying time.

The main drawback is the space required and the time clothes take to dry. In a small flat or during winter when windows are closed, passive drying can be impractical for daily laundry needs.

• Zero running cost
• Drying time: 24 to 48 hours
• Best placed in a warm, ventilated room
• Space requirement: significant, especially for large loads

Heated Airer

Provides gentle heat to speed up drying at modest cost.

A heated airer uses a built-in heating element, typically rated between 200W and 400W, to warm clothes and the surrounding air. At 26.32p/kWh, running a 300W heated airer for 8 hours costs approximately 63p [S1].

Heated airers are more effective than passive drying because the warmth reduces drying time from 24–48 hours to approximately 6 to 12 hours. Adding a cover traps heat and further speeds up the process.

Covers, which typically cost £15 to £30, are a worthwhile investment. They create a warm micro-environment around the clothes, reducing drying time by up to 50 per cent.

• Typical wattage: 200–400W
• Cost for 8-hour session: approximately 30–80p
• Drying time: 6–12 hours with cover
• Covers improve efficiency by trapping heat

Dehumidifier with Airer

Actively removes moisture, making it one of the most efficient indoor drying methods.

Running a dehumidifier alongside a standard airer in a closed room is one of the most effective ways to dry clothes indoors. The dehumidifier removes moisture from the air as it evaporates from the clothes, maintaining a humidity level that supports continued evaporation [S1].

A typical 250W dehumidifier running for 8 hours costs approximately 53p at current energy rates. This is comparable to a heated airer but often dries clothes faster because the lower humidity accelerates evaporation [S1].

The combination of a heated airer and a dehumidifier provides the fastest indoor drying without a tumble dryer. The heated airer warms the clothes while the dehumidifier manages humidity, typically drying a full load in 4 to 6 hours.

• Cost for 8-hour session: approximately 30–80p depending on unit size
• Faster than passive drying and comparable to a heated airer
• Maintains low humidity, preventing mould risk
• Best used in a closed room for maximum efficiency

Heat Pump Tumble Dryer

Fastest mechanical drying method with moderate running costs.

A heat pump tumble dryer uses a refrigerant cycle to dry clothes at lower temperatures, consuming approximately 1.5 to 2.5 kWh per load. At 26.32p/kWh, this translates to a cost of approximately 50p to 80p per load [S2].

The main advantages are speed (2 to 3 hours per cycle) and convenience. The closed-loop system also means no external venting is required, making the dryer suitable for any room.

The purchase price is higher than a condenser model, typically £300 to £600, but the energy savings offset this within one to two years for regular users [S2].

• Cost per load: approximately 50–80p
• Cycle time: 2–3 hours
• No external venting required
• Higher purchase price but lower running cost

Condenser Tumble Dryer

Fastest but most expensive to run per load.

A condenser tumble dryer uses an electric heating element to generate heat, consuming between 2,000W and 3,000W during operation. A typical cycle of 1 to 2 hours uses 2 to 4 kWh, costing approximately £1 to £2 at current energy rates [S2].

The speed of drying is the main advantage, making condenser dryers suitable for households that need dry clothes quickly and cannot wait for slower methods.

However, the higher running cost and lower energy efficiency (typically rated C or D) make condenser dryers the most expensive option per load. For regular use, a heat pump dryer or dehumidifier combination is more cost-effective.

• Cost per load: approximately £1–£2
• Cycle time: 1–2 hours
• Requires no external venting
• Lower energy efficiency rating (C or D)

Frequently asked questions

Bottom line

The cheapest indoor drying method depends on your budget and how quickly you need dry clothes. Passive air drying is free but slow. Heated airers and dehumidifiers offer a good balance of cost and speed at 30–80p per session. Tumble dryers are the fastest but most expensive, with heat pump models being the more efficient choice at 50–80p per load.