WITH summer long gone and rain and chilly evenings fast approaching, we can wave goodbye to hanging our wet laundry outside to dry.
But if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful way to speed up drying your freshly washed laundry inside, then look no further.
That’s because shoppers have been going wild for a bargain gadget that dries their clothes quickly and efficiently, without the high energy costs of a tumble dryer…and costs just 6p an hour to run.
And there’s an added bonus because delighted customers have claimed it helps to keep their rooms warm too, meaning you don’t need to spend a small fortune cranking up the heating.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, resident expert at Robert Dyas Low Cost Lou, has shared the exact product that people are rushing to snap up online, along with some other bargain buys that could help to heat up your home too.
“With a few changes here and there and the right energy-saving products, you can keep your home running just the same but see a significant difference to your bills,” she says.
Air-dry clothes (with a nifty trick)
According to Lou, you could save up to £60 a year by not using the tumble dryer***, so when the weather’s good, he advises drying outside.
However, she says: “When it’s too cold to dry anything, this Status Heated Airer with Cover (£35.99, was £73.48) will save the day – over and over.
“Not only does it cost just 6p an hour to run, but it comes with a handy cover to keep the heat in and dry your clothes faster.”
And what’s more is it’s been slashed from £73.48 to £35.99, meaning an impressive saving of £37.49.
The product description online says: “The Status Winged Heat Airer is a sleek and stylish heated airer that can dry up to 15kg of clothes at once, while the Status Winged Heat Airer Cover helps to retain heat and speed up the drying process.”
The bargain buy has been flooded with five star reviews online, with one person praising: “Great airer to help speed up the drying process in the winter.
“This airer will not dry your clothes, but it definitely speeds up the process, and also warms the room you put it in too, which is perfect for the winter.”
Another who branded the clothes dryer “great” also told how it not only dries the clothes but “keeps the room warmer too.”
A further praised: “Great value for money airer, works an absolute treat in winter.”
Sharing her top tip, Lou advises using a moisture absorber, such as a UniBond Aero 360 Moisture Absorber, which costs just £13.99, to capture excess moisture and prevent damp and mould.
Poundland are also selling a pack of 2 ‘mighty power damp traps‘ for £1, meaning they cost just 50p each.
If you really MUST use the tumble dryer…
Lou advises putting an Ecoegg Dryer Egg, which retails at just £9.99, into the drum to reduce drying time by up to 28%.
The product will not only save time, but also money by reducing energy consumption.
Plus, according to the product description, the clever design will leave your clothes feeling soft without the use of fabric softeners.
Alternatively, Dunelm are selling a pack of 2 ‘silicon drying balls‘ for as little as just £2.50.
Heat the room, not the home
If you’re looking to cosy down in the living room for the evening, then Lou suggests heating the space with the Fine Elements Fan Heater, which will set you back just £19.99.
She notes that it’s perfect for avoiding heating the whole house unnecessarily and urges: “Make sure you close the door to prevent the heat escaping into the rest of the house.”
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
Draught-proof your home
Given that our British homes are notoriously draughty, Lou advises keeping the heat in with draught excluders.
While she goes on to explain that draught-proofing doors, floors and windows could save you around £85 a year, she notes that the £8.99 StormGuard Extra-Thick Weather Seal is “super-easy to affix along the edges of windows and doors to seal up draughty gaps.”
Heat just yourself (and luxuriate!)
And last but not least, Lou says: “Words cannot express the luxurious comfort a heated throw can bring when it’s cold in the house and expensive to put the heating on.
“Drape yourself in one for evening TV time and wrap up in it while working from home – it’s a godsend!
“And for older people who feel the cold more, it really is a must-have.”
Alternatively, Lou recommends using a classic hot water bottle to keep cosily on your lap.
