Cheapest ways to dry laundry in winter without using tumble dryer to save £170 a year on energy bills

Washing and drying your clothes can be a struggle during the winter months, especially in sub zero temperatures. Icy and snowy days make it almost impossible when you’ve got a full load of clean but wet washing to dry.

To avoid the damp smell, many homeowners resort to using a tumble dryer - but it is one of the most “energy thirsty” appliances in your home. According to the Energy Saving Trust, it can cost around £170 a year to run depending on the model, load size and price of energy.

But this cost can easily be made much cheaper, says cleaning expert Sarah Dempsey, who specialises in domestic cleaning and laundry. She has worked with the tradesman locator site MyJobQuote to provide money-saving cleaning and laundry advice to homeowners.

“Skip the dryer and embrace the natural drying power of the sun and air to save money on your energy bills, while also extending the life of your clothes,” Sarah advises.

“Air drying is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to using a dryer – it saves money on energy bills, extends the lifespan of clothes by avoiding the harsh heat and tumbling action, and freshens clothes with natural scent.”

Cleaning content creator Laura Mountford, AKA @lauracleanaholic, also agrees, adding: “Nothing beats drying your clothes outdoors – but in the UK when the weather’s cold and raining at this time of year, it can be frustrating having damp laundry all over the house for days on end, trying to get it to dry.”

Here are the expert's top tips for the cheapest and quickest ways to dry clothes without using a tumble dryer:

Drying your clothes on the washing line outdoors is the fastest and most effective way of drying your clothes, says Dempsey, although she concedes: “This method may not always