Buying Guide
Does a Dehumidifier Dry Clothes? UK Guide
Updated June 2026
Yes, a dehumidifier can dry clothes indoors — and it does it cheaper than a tumble dryer while preventing the damp and condensation that indoor drying normally causes. Most modern dehumidifiers have a dedicated "laundry mode" that runs at maximum extraction until the air is dry. But you need the right setup for it to work properly. Here is exactly how to do it.
Quick answer
Yes, a dehumidifier dries clothes. In a closed room with a laundry-mode dehumidifier, clothes dry in 4–8 hours. Running cost: 20–40p per load vs £1.20–£1.50 for a tumble dryer. The dehumidifier also prevents the condensation and mould that indoor drying causes.
How dehumidifier laundry mode works
Laundry mode runs the compressor at maximum extraction until the air humidity drops to a very low level — typically around 40%. The dehumidifier is, in effect, trying to wring every drop of water out of the air in the room.
As your wet clothes release moisture into the air through evaporation, the dehumidifier pulls that moisture straight back out and collects it in its tank. The air flowing past the clothes creates gentle circulation that speeds drying further.
Once the clothes are dry and the air humidity drops, smart models switch to monitoring mode and only restart if humidity rises again. Older models simply keep running until you switch them off.
The perfect drying setup
- Hang clothes on an airer in a single room
- Close all doors and windows in that room
- Place the dehumidifier in the same room, not directly against the airer
- Set to laundry mode (or maximum if no laundry mode)
- Leave for 4–8 hours
- Check clothes — they should be fully dry
How long does it take?
| Setup | Drying time | Running cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dehumidifier alone (laundry mode) | 6–10 hours | 30–60p |
| Dehumidifier + heated airer | 3–5 hours | 40–70p |
| Dehumidifier + heated airer + cover | 2–4 hours | 35–55p |
| Tumble dryer (comparison) | 1–2 hours | £1.20–£1.50 |
| No equipment (rack by radiator) | 12–24 hours | Free but causes damp |
Best dehumidifiers with laundry mode
MeacoDry Arete Two 12L
Laundry mode plus built-in HEPA air purifier. Whisper quiet 35dB night mode.
Dreo 20L Smart
Dedicated laundry dry mode. Good Housekeeping Institute Approved. App control.
Devola 12L
Laundry mode at a budget price. Which? Best Buy. Less than 5p/hour.
Dehumidifier vs heated airer vs tumble dryer
| Method | Cost per load | Drying time | Causes damp? | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tumble dryer | £1.20–£1.50 | 1–2 hours | No (vented) | Permanent |
| Dehumidifier | 30–60p | 6–10 hours | No (removes moisture) | Portable |
| Heated airer + cover | 15–25p | 4–8 hours | Minimal with cover | Folds away |
| Dehumidifier + heated airer | 40–70p | 3–5 hours | No | Both portable |
| Rack by radiator | Free | 12–24 hours | YES — causes condensation | Folds away |
The best setup is a heated airer with cover + dehumidifier running together. Second best is a dehumidifier alone. Worst is a rack by the radiator with no dehumidifier.
Running cost calculator
Example: Drying 2 loads per week with a dehumidifier
- Dehumidifier: 2 loads × 40p = 80p/week = £3.47/month = £41.60/year
- Tumble dryer: 2 loads × £1.35 = £2.70/week = £11.70/month = £140.40/year
- Annual saving: approximately £99
A £100 dehumidifier pays for itself within the first year in tumble dryer savings alone — and you get damp protection for your whole home as a bonus.