Drying clothes indoors in winter: only one method stopped mildew smells

A Mirror reporter tested five common indoor drying methods in winter and found that only a tumble dryer fully removed musty odours; a dehumidifier performed well but did not always prevent smells.

A Mirror reporter compared five common ways to dry clothes indoors during winter. The methods tested were a tumble dryer, dehumidifier, heated airer, clothes horse and bathroom extractor fan. Tests were carried out under real winter conditions using heavy loads and items such as hoodies and jeans. The evaluation focused on drying time, how fresh the clothes smelled, cost and how much moisture was left in the room. Test findings: - Tumble dryer: The author found this was the only method that completely eradicated musty odours and dried clothes the same day. It handled bulky items easily but is the costliest option to run and needs space; the author used a Hotpoint condenser model that collects water in a tub. - Dehumidifier: Rated the runner-up. It reduced condensation and helped clothes dry faster than simple air drying, especially in a small closed room, but items often still required one to two days to finish drying and smells were not always eliminated; a comparable model was noted at about £159.99. - Heated airer: Slightly faster than a standard clothes horse where garments touched the heated rails, but drying was patchy and thicker areas stayed damp. The author tested a Minky Wing 12m Heated Clothes Airer with Cover (around £60) and saw little benefit from the cover. - Clothes horse: The cheapest option and non-electric, but it took the longest to dry items. Thicker parts remained damp for days, windows fogged and the author reported it was the worst for producing musty smells. - Bathroom extractor fan: Effectiveness depended heavily on the fan’s strength. In the author’s case the fan was designed for short showers and proved ineffective for hours-long drying; limited hanging space and colder bathroom temperatures also slowed drying. Summary: The tests showed a trade-off between speed and cost: the tumble dryer removed musty odours and dried quickly but is the priciest and space-intensive option, while the dehumidifier reduced condensation and performed well though it did not always prevent smells. Other low-cost methods were slower and more likely to leave garments with a musty scent. Undetermined at this time.