Can a Dehumidifier Dry Clothes? (Use it in 4 Simple Steps)
Yes, a dehumidifier can dry clothes indoors very well. It works by removing extra moisture from the air. When the air is dry, water in wet clothes evaporates faster, so the clothes dry more quickly.
In winter, people often close their windows, so a dehumidifier can also help keep the air fresh. A dehumidifier also stops bad smells, reduces dampness, and helps prevent mould. It costs less to run than a tumble dryer and is gentle on clothes, making it a safe and simple way to dry laundry indoors.
What a Dehumidifier Is and How It Works?
A dehumidifier is an electric appliance that removes extra moisture (water) from the air. When the air in your home feels damp or humid, a dehumidifier helps make it drier. It pulls in damp air, cools it down inside the machine, and turns the moisture into water, which collects in a tank. The dry air goes back into the room, making it feel cleaner, fresher, and more comfortable.
People usually use a dehumidifier in places where the air feels heavy or humid, such as basements, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Its main purpose is simply to reduce moisture levels and keep the air more comfortable.
How Does a Dehumidifier Dry Clothes Indoors?
A dehumidifier helps to dry clothes by pulling moisture out of the air around your laundry. When wet clothes release water into the room, the dehumidifier collects that moisture and stores it in its tank. Because the air becomes drier, the clothes lose moisture faster and dry more quickly.
Many new dehumidifier models also have a special laundry mode, which is designed to speed up the drying process. Some even include a gentle heating feature that warms the air slightly, helping clothes dry even faster without using much energy. This makes them a great choice for drying washing indoors, especially in winter when it’s too cold to hang clothes outside.
In simple words: a dehumidifier dries the air in the room. When the air is dry, it can take more moisture from your clothes, so they dry faster. So you can dry your laundry indoors without waiting too long or worrying about damp smells in your home.
How to Use a Dehumidifier to Dry Clothes (4 Simple Steps)
A dehumidifier is good for drying clothes. Hang your clothes in a small room, turn on a fan and a dehumidifier, and let them work together to remove moisture so your clothes dry faster. Below is the complete step-by-step process.
Choose a Small and Closed Room
Pick a small or medium room if you have one. A smaller room works better because the air dries faster. A warm room is best for drying clothes, around 15°C or more, as a dehumidifier works more usefully in warmer air (though it still works in cooler rooms).
If you don’t have an extra small room, you can use your main room, kitchen or even a dry bathroom, but a separate room is always the best option. Close all doors, windows and also close any gaps or vents, even small draughts make the job harder for the dehumidifier.
Hang Your Clothes on an Airer or Hangers to Improve Airflow
Hang your clothes on a clothes airer if you have one. It is a good option because it holds many clothes while using little space. If you don’t have one, normal hangers work perfectly. Before hanging, squeeze out extra water from the clothes.
Give every item enough space so air can move between them. This helps them dry quicker and stops damp smells. For even better drying, turn clothes inside out.
If you have a bigger budget, you can also use an indoor rotary airer. It rotates, so it dries your clothes faster than a normal hanger, but it takes up a bit more space. This is completely optional.
Use a Fan to Help Clothes Dry Faster and Improve Air Flow
Switch on a ceiling fan, a standing fan, or even a small desk fan. Place the fan so it blows towards the wet clothes.
Hang thicker items like hoodies and towels closest to the fan, then hang lighter clothes around them. It helps clothes dry much faster.
Note: Using a fan is optional. It just gives extra airflow to speed up drying. If you don’t use a fan, the clothes will still dry, but it may take a bit longer. The fan simply gives an extra boost.
Run the Dehumidifier about 4–6 feet from the Clothes
Place the dehumidifier behind the clothes, around 4-6 feet away from clothes, walls, furniture, etc. Turn it on and, if your model has one, select “laundry or clothes-drying mode”. If you don’t have laundry mode, then set the dehumidifier to 30-40% or a maximum of 50% humidity.
You Must close the room door so the moisture stays inside and the dehumidifier can work properly. This prevents a musty smell and keeps both the room and clothes fresh.
Extra Tip: After doing all these 4 steps, it’s best to turn off the dehumidifier when the clothes are almost dry, then let them finish air drying. This will help you save on electricity.
How Long Does it Take?
Using this method with a dehumidifier and fan in a small room, most of your clothes will dry in 3 to 6 hours, depending on the clothes.
If you leave the fan and dehumidifier running overnight, almost everything, including thicker items like towels, hoodies, etc, will be dry by morning.
We also use this method, and it works especially well for people with large laundry loads or cold and rainy weather.
Conclusion:
So, can a dehumidifier dry clothes? Yes! A dehumidifier can dry clothes very successfully. Not only does it help save on electricity bills, but it also keeps your home or room smelling fresh and dries your clothes without any damp or musty smell.
It may take a little longer than a tumble dryer
, but it’s a great option if you have some extra time and don’t need your clothes dried immediately.What Size Dehumidifier for Drying Clothes?
To dry clothes indoors, the size of the dehumidifier depends on your room size and laundry load:
| Tank Size | Best For | Room Size |
|---|---|---|
| 10L | One person with small amounts of washing | Up to 10 m² |
| 15L–20L | 3–4 people, drying weekly | 10–20 m² |
| 20L–25L | Large families with frequent laundry | 20–40 m² |
If you have a low budget or don’t want a high-capacity unit, choose at least a 1.8 L tank. Don’t go smaller than this. A 1.8 L tank is ideal for people in small flats or single bedrooms who dry only a few clothes sometimes. It’s compact, quiet, and works well in small spaces like a bedroom, bathroom, or utility cupboard, though you’ll need to empty it more often.
18 Ways to Dry Clothes Indoors:
- Dehumidifier + Fan + Airer
- Indoor Rotary Clothes Line
- Retractable Washing Line
- Wall-Mounted Airer
- Ceiling-Mounted Pulley Airer
- Travel Washing Line
- Heated or Non-Heated Clothes Airer
- Drying Pod
- Heated Towel Rail
- Radiator or Over-Door Airer
- Over-Bath Airer
- Peg Hanger
- Hair Dryer + Towel
- Iron + Towel
- Tumble Dryer
- Washer-Dryer
- Heated Drying Cabinet
- Laundrette
To learn more about these 18 methods in detail, read our full guide:
18 Best Ways to Dry Clothes Indoors in Winter
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