A dehumidifier in the drying room

Short answer: A dehumidifier removes the water from the air instead of moving it out of the room. In a closed room it halves the drying time and uses only a little power per hour.

How it works

Air is drawn past a cold surface, the water condenses and runs into a container. The dry air can then take up moisture from bamboo sweat clothes and the rest of the laundry again. The cycle continues while the machine is on, so the air stays dry enough to keep pulling water out of the fabric.

It works best in a closed room

With the window open, the dehumidifier works against all the outdoor air and wastes power. Close the door and window when you dry bamboo T-shirts for women, so the machine only handles the air in the room. A small room gives the quickest result, which is worth knowing if you have a choice.

What it costs to run

A standard model uses between two and four hundred watts, so the cost per hour is low. That is cheaper than a dryer for socks for women and the rest of the wash. Since clothes dry faster, the machine does not run all day, and many switch it on only while the laundry is hanging.

Placement makes a difference

Place the dehumidifier in the middle of the room or close to the rack, so air can flow freely around it. Squeezed against a wall or behind a door, it mostly pulls in the same air again. Make sure the air can leave the machine without hitting anything, since the dry air needs to reach the clothes.

Hang clothes with space around them

The dehumidifier dries the air, but the clothes must still hang so the air reaches every side. Leave a few centimetres between pieces, turn thick items inside out and hang socks in pairs with the toe down. The more surface is free, the faster the moisture disappears and the lower the risk of a stale smell.

Combine it with a fan

A small fan on a low setting moves air across the clothes while the dehumidifier dries it. Together they work faster than either alone, because the damp air right next to the fabric is constantly replaced. The fan uses little power and can be switched off once the clothes feel dry.

Empty the container regularly

When the container is full, most models switch off by themselves, and the laundry just waits. Empty it each time you hang a new load, or use a hose to a drain if the machine allows it. Clean the filter now and then too, so air passes without resistance and the machine uses no more power than needed.

When it makes the most sense

A dehumidifier is most useful in basements, bathrooms and drying rooms without a window, and in periods of damp weather. In summer, outdoor drying often does the job, while the dehumidifier makes the biggest difference in the cold, wet months. It also keeps the room free of moisture that could settle in walls and ceilings.

Frequently asked questions

How much water does it remove

One to two litres a day in a normal drying room. On days with a lot of laundry or damp weather, the amount can be larger.

Is it better than airing out

In winter, airing out is often enough because the cold air is dry. In damp weather the dehumidifier is better, as the outdoor air already holds a lot of moisture.

Is it noisy

Yes, roughly like a fridge compressor. It should stand in a room you do not spend time in, such as a basement or utility room.