The Right Way to Dry Clothes with a Dehumidifier
Drying laundry on an indoor rack releases 2–3 litres of water into your flat per load. A dehumidifier flips the problem: it captures that water in a tank instead of letting it condense on cold walls. But only if you set it up properly.
1. Pick the smallest room possible
A bathroom, utility room or small bedroom with the door closed. The smaller the air volume, the faster the humidity drops and the quicker clothes dry.
2. Spin the laundry properly first
1,200–1,400 rpm removes half the residual moisture before you start. That cuts drying time dramatically.
3. Place the dehumidifier next to the rack
The machine works on air, not on the clothes directly. Give it 30–50 cm of clearance, point the airflow across the laundry if possible, and keep the door shut.
4. Set the target humidity to ~50 %
Don't run it on maximum continuously – a hygrometer-controlled unit will cycle on and off, saving electricity while keeping the room in the safe zone.
5. Timing: 4–8 hours per load
With a 12–20 L/day compressor dehumidifier in a small room, expect 4–6 hours for synthetics and 6–8 for towels and jeans.
Running costs
| Method | Electricity per load (6 kg) | Cost @ 35 ct/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dehumidifier (300 W, 6 h) | 1.8 kWh | €0.63 |
| Heated airer (1,000 W, 4 h) | 4.0 kWh | €1.40 |
| Heat pump dryer | 1.5 kWh | €0.53 |
| Vented/condenser dryer (old) | 3.3 kWh | €1.16 |
Full comparison: Dehumidifier vs tumble dryer · German calculator: Trocknungs-Kosten-Rechner
FAQ
Does a dehumidifier dry clothes faster than a rack alone?
Yes – usually 2–3× faster in a closed small room, because the dry air constantly pulls moisture out of the fabric.
Which size dehumidifier do I need for drying clothes?
For a small room, a 12–20 L/day compressor unit is ideal. Desiccant models work better in cold rooms under 15 °C.
Is it cheaper than a tumble dryer?
A heat pump dryer is slightly cheaper per load, but a dehumidifier also protects your walls from moisture and can be used year-round for damp control.