Using a Dehumidifier for Drying Clothes

For regular indoor laundry in a heated room, a 20-litre class compressor dehumidifier is a useful starting point.

A smaller 10–12 litre model may be enough for occasional loads in a compact room, while a desiccant model can make more sense where the drying room is consistently cold. The right answer depends on the complete drying session, not a laundry-mode label alone.

Find a dehumidifier for drying clothes

Why indoor laundry raises humidity

Water removed by the washing machine remains in the fabric. As clothes dry, that water moves into the room air. If it is not removed by ventilation or dehumidification, it can spread to other rooms and condense on colder windows, walls and corners.

The government's existing-home ventilation guide identifies washing and drying clothes as household moisture sources and explains the role of effective ventilation.

A dehumidifier collects part of that water and releases drier air back into the room.

Drier moving air helps evaporation continue, but the appliance does not heat fabric in the same way as a tumble dryer and it cannot compensate for a dripping-wet load or a room open to damp outside air. Use the washing machine's suitable spin setting first.

Choose capacity from frequency and conditions

A small compressor model can work for one occasional airer in a warm box room. Repeated loads, a larger room, several occupants or existing condensation justify more extraction and airflow headroom.

A 20L label does not mean 20 litres will be collected from one wash; it is the machine's nominal 24-hour extraction class under stated conditions.

Room temperature is equally important. Compressor extraction falls in cooler air. If the laundry space regularly drops below about 10°C, compare a desiccant machine or a compressor specifically supported by published low-temperature data.

Read compressor vs desiccant dehumidifiers before selecting capacity.

What laundry mode does

Laundry mode is normally a control programme. Depending on the model, it may run the fan at a higher speed, lower the target humidity or operate continuously for a set period. It does not create an extra extraction mechanism.

Check the manual for the exact behaviour, maximum run time and whether the humidistat remains active.

Useful features include:

• A humidistat that returns the machine to normal control after the load is dry.
• More than one fan speed, so airflow and noise can be balanced.
• A timer or defined laundry programme rather than indefinite operation.
• A tank that is easy to remove without spilling.
• Continuous drainage where the room has a suitable drain and the manufacturer permits it.
• Automatic restart only where you understand how it behaves after a power cut.

Set up the room

Use one suitable room if possible. Close the door so the machine treats a known volume of air, but do not block required background ventilation or ignore the building's ventilation strategy.

Whether to open a window depends on the conditions and purpose: an open window may remove moisture when outdoor air is suitably dry, but it can also make a dehumidifier work against a continuous supply of damp air.

Follow any landlord, building and appliance guidance.

Spread garments on an airer with gaps for airflow. Do not drape wet clothing over the appliance. Position the dehumidifier on a stable, level surface with every inlet and outlet clearance stated in the manual.

Direct the dry airflow across the drying area where the outlet design permits, not from an unsafe distance or where water can drip onto the unit.

Keep the machine away from baths, showers, sinks and splash zones. Do not use an ordinary portable appliance in a bathroom unless the manufacturer explicitly permits the location and all applicable electrical-safety requirements are satisfied.

Noise and overnight operation

High fan speed usually moves more air but may be intrusive in a bedroom. If possible, dry washing during the day or in a separate utility room. A quoted decibel figure should be tied to a fan setting and measurement basis; compare like with like.

Do not cover alarms, sleep with blocked ventilation or leave an appliance where its manual requires supervision.

Estimate the electricity cost

Cost depends on input watts, hours and your electricity unit rate. A 250W machine running at full input for six hours uses 1.5kWh. At an example rate of £0.25 per kWh, that is about £0.38 for the session.

A 650W desiccant unit running for four hours uses 2.6kWh, or about £0.65 at the same example rate. These examples do not predict which machine dries the same load faster, and compressor cycling can reduce actual energy below a full-input assumption.

Use your current bill and the exact machine in the dehumidifier running-cost calculator.

Ofgem explains that electricity unit rates are measured in kWh and vary by tariff, region and payment method on its price-cap guidance.

When the washing is dry

Return the unit to a normal humidity target rather than leaving laundry mode running by habit. Empty and clean the tank as instructed, keep filters clear and check whether condensation elsewhere has reduced.

If damp persists without an obvious household moisture source, investigate leaks, penetrating damp, inadequate heating or ventilation rather than buying a larger appliance automatically.

For capacity selection, read what size dehumidifier do I need?. The SetupSelect finder combines laundry frequency with space, severity and temperature before recommending a class.