Few household frustrations are as common in winter as pulling laundry from the airer only to find it still feels damp or carries that unpleasant, musty odour. With outdoor drying off the cards during colder months, many UK households face longer drying times, higher energy use, and the persistent risk of clothes smelling stale.
The Viral Fan Heater Drying Method
One mother has shared a clever and affordable solution on social media that she claims tackles this problem head-on. TikTok user Christina Jacobs (account @chrissy.j.xx) demonstrated her technique, stating it is "the only way to dry my clothes in winter is without that horrible damp smell."
Her method is straightforward. She begins by loading a standard clothes horse with wet washing. Next, she completely drapes a large bedsheet over the entire frame, creating a sealed tent. The key step is then positioning a small electric fan heater directly in front of the covered rack.
This setup creates a warm, enclosed pocket of circulating air. The sheet traps the heat around the garments, which dramatically accelerates evaporation. Christina asserts that this hack can have laundry fully dry within 90 minutes, leaving items not just dry but also smelling fresh.
The Dehumidifier Alternative
While many were impressed by the fan heater trick, not all commentators agreed it was the most effective approach. An alternative suggestion quickly gained traction, championing the use of a dehumidifier instead.
One user, @permanentroses, commented: "A dehumidifier is better, if you dry in a smaller room and close the doors, it works great."
Dehumidifiers work by drawing moisture-laden air over cooled coils. The water vapour condenses into liquid, which is collected in a tank. The now-drier air is then released back into the room. This process gradually lowers the overall humidity, allowing moisture from wet clothes to evaporate more quickly into the dry air.
This creates a continuous cycle of dry air moving over the laundry. A significant advantage is that many dehumidifier models are cheaper to run than electric fan heaters, offering potential savings on energy bills while effectively combating damp smells.
Choosing Your Winter Drying Strategy
The debate highlights two practical paths for efficient indoor drying during the UK's autumn and winter. The fan heater and sheet method offers a quick, low-cost setup using items many already own, promising rapid results. In contrast, the dehumidifier approach is often praised for its energy efficiency and its ability to improve air quality throughout a room by reducing general dampness.
Ultimately, the best choice may depend on your household's specific needs, the size of the drying space, and whether you prioritise speed or running cost. Both methods provide a welcome defence against the season's most persistent laundry annoyance: the musty smell.
