Exact Way to Load a Heated Drying Rack to Dry Laundry and the Mistake When Adding Bills
MANY of us turn to heated airers to dry clothes while it's cold and wet outside.
Most are cheaper to run than a tumble dryer and can help you save money on your energy bills.
But if you don't hang your clothes correctly, it can be a costly mistake.
You will have to leave the clothes on much longer, which will increase your electricity bill.
Lynsey Crombie, aka Lynsey Queen of Clean and This Morning residential home expert, said: “If you want your airer to save you money, you need to use it correctly.
“Overload it with too many clothes and they won't dry quickly, costing you money and taking up space. No one wants the drying rack to be left outside for days.”
Here, Lynsey shares her top tips for drying clothes quickly with a drying rack.
Lay heavy jeans flat
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“Place heavy jeans flat on the bottom shelf and turn them occasionally so they can dry evenly,” she says.
“They don't dry as quickly on a winged drying rack, but it's best to lay them over the center rails as much as possible.”
Hang delicate tops on hangers
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“Use hangers for delicate tops and knitwear,” explains Lynsey.
“Place them on the bars on the outer edges of the drying rack. Not only will they dry faster, but you'll also have more room for other items.
“Hangers are also recommended for trousers. Fold them in half so they don't drag on the floor.
Hang up everyday items
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“Every day, items such as t-shirts, leggings, pajamas and socks should be hung over the bars,” says Lynsey.
“Turn them occasionally for even drying.”
Avoid overload
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“Don't put too many clothes on the drying rack,” Lynsey recommends.
“Overloading and crowding clothes can slow drying time. Keep clothes spread out to allow air circulation.”
Never overlapping
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“It's tempting to layer clothes when you have a big load of laundry that needs to be dried,” says Lynsey.
“But overlapping prevents proper exposure to heat and drying.”
Fold sheets
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“Bed sheets take up a lot of space and it's tempting to just throw them over the airer,” explains Lynsey.
“You should actually fold the sheets in half or thirds and drape them smoothly over the rods.”
Use a cover
Invest in a cover, or simply use a large sheet to cover your airer while it is in use.
“Cover it completely as this helps retain heat and speed drying,” says Lynsey.
Covers work by creating a warm air pocket for the clothes to dry.
The cover retains the heat that your drying rack produces and can shorten the drying time of your laundry.
Place in a sunny spot
“If a cover is not available, place the airer in a sunny part of the room, preferably near a window,” says Lynsey.
“Sunlight helps your clothes dry faster. If you can, open a window as the ventilation also speeds up drying time.”
Avoid walls
Keep the drying rack away from the walls. “Putting your airer too close to walls can cause moisture to leak out, leading to mold and mildew,” says Lynsey.
“If you have no other option, you may want to consider a dehumidifier.”
In the meantime, we tested several heated airers and the cheapest cost only 6 cents per hour.
Other ways to save money on your energy bill
Keeping your energy costs down in the winter can be a challenge, but there are some things you can do.
Making some small changes to your daily routine can make a big difference when it comes to becoming more energy efficient.
When you do turn on the heating, always make sure that your curtains are closed and that all windows in your house are closed.
This may seem obvious, but many people leave their bathroom window slightly open and forget to close it.
Even if the heating is only slightly ajar, this means that precious heat escapes straight out the window and does not remain in your home.
You can also buy draft excluders, which can be cheap (we've seen them on Amazon for £7.99), but you should always shop around for better deals.
You can also consider lowering the thermostat.
Just one degree lower can save you up to £100 a year on your energy bills, according to British Gas.
If you want to keep an eye on how much you spend on energy, you can always install a smart meter.
This is usually provided by your energy supplier and monitors your energy consumption in real time.
Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.
Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.