People who regularly dry their laundry indoors
If you hang laundry in a ventilated room, a dehumidifier can provide extra help while it dries. It doesn’t replace airing the room or extracting the air.
Who is this solution for?
People living in a studio flat or small bedroom
If the appliance needs to run near a living or sleeping area, its size and noise levels matter just as much as its stated room capacity.
Tenants dealing with persistent damp
Before you buy, work out whether the damp is caused by laundry or by a leak, water ingress or poor ventilation. ADIL des Pyrénées-Orientales recommends identifying the source of the problem and, if it appears to be related to the property, taking the appropriate steps with your landlord.
What should you look for before buying?
First, check what’s causing the damp and whether air is circulating properly. A hygrometer can then help you monitor the room before and during drying. When choosing a dehumidifier, start with the room where you’ll put the clothes airer, then consider the practicalities of using it.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cause of the damp | Compare humidity levels on laundry days and other days. Look for signs of leaks and check the condition of air inlets and outlets. | If I can still see signs of damp when no laundry is hanging up, I want to understand the cause before buying an appliance. Around 31% of consumers in this situation would make this their priority. |
| Room and drying | Check the room size or volume stated for the model, its advertised capacity and test conditions, and whether it has a laundry mode. | If I regularly hang a load of laundry in the same room, I want an appliance sized for that space rather than relying on a standalone extraction figure. This would be the main requirement for around 25% of consumers in this situation. |
| Noise and water drainage | Check the stated noise level, tank capacity and whether you can connect a hose to a suitable drain. | In a studio flat or near a bedroom, I need to be able to put up with the noise and manage the tank while the laundry dries. Around 25% of consumers in this situation would put ease of use first. |
| Electricity and maintenance | Check the power rating in W, humidity controls and the filter and tank maintenance instructions. | If I plan to use the appliance with every load of laundry, I want to know how long it will run and what maintenance it needs. Around 19% of consumers in this situation would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Using a portable appliance to deal with a leak or poor ventilation
A dehumidifier removes water from the air, but it won’t fix water ingress or replace stale air. ADIL des Pyrénées-Orientales advises finding the cause of persistent damp before deciding how to deal with it.
Check for signs of leaks and inspect the ventilation grilles. If the problem appears to be related to the property, contact your landlord or a relevant adviser.
Running the appliance continuously can use electricity while delaying the search for the underlying cause.
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Comparing litres per day alone
The stated capacity depends on the model and its test conditions. For example, De’Longhi specifies 10 L/24 h at 30 °C and 80% relative humidity for the DEX210SF. That figure alone doesn’t tell you how the appliance will perform in a different room.
Also compare the stated room size, test conditions and where you’ll actually put the clothes airer.
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Forgetting about noise and emptying the tank
An appliance near a living area can be disruptive, while a full tank will stop it working unless the water is drained another way.
Decide where it will run, then check the noise level and tank capacity. If you’re considering continuous drainage, make sure it’s compatible with the instructions and your drainage point.
Without a suitable drainage setup, frequent emptying takes time and can interrupt a drying session.
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Leaving it running without monitoring humidity
Checking humidity helps you work out when the appliance is useful and when it’s running unnecessarily. If the model has a filter, this will also need maintenance as set out in the instructions.
Check humidity with a hygrometer, set a target level if the model allows it, and follow the tank and filter maintenance instructions.
Brands to compare
Rowenta
The range includes the Extrême Dry Compact+ DH5260F0, which Rowenta presents as suitable for drying laundry and for rooms up to 40 m² or 100 m³.
- For this model, Rowenta lists a laundry mode, humidity indicator, 3 L tank and 1 m drainage hose.
- The specifications and stated capacity of 16 L/day apply to the DH5260F0. They don’t describe the whole range or guarantee the same results in every home.
De’Longhi
According to De’Longhi, the Tasciugo AriaDry DEX210SF combines a laundry function with an electronic humidistat and the option of continuous drainage.
- De’Longhi specifies the conditions for its stated capacity: 10 L/24 h at 30 °C and 80% relative humidity.
- This figure can’t predict how much water it will extract in a colder or less humid room.
Olimpia Splendid
The Aquaria S1 range includes the 16 P, which has a Dry mode for laundry, and the 20 P, which is stated to suit a larger room volume.
- Olimpia Splendid states that the S1 16 P is suitable for up to 75 m³ and has a 2 L tank, while the S1 20 P is suitable for up to 90 m³ and has a 5 L tank.
- Check the features and maintenance instructions for the specific model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to the whole range.
Meaco
Meaco presents the Arete One 6L as a compact model for spaces up to 25 m², including studio flats and student bedrooms.
- The brand lists a laundry mode and a noise level of 32 dB for this model.
- These details apply specifically to the Arete One 6L. They don’t guarantee the same noise levels wherever you place it or a particular drying time.
Portable dehumidifiers at Joybuy
These models are intended to provide extra help while drying laundry indoors. Compare the stated room size and water drainage options with your setup, and don’t treat the appliance as a solution to a leak or poor ventilation.
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HUMSURE 16 L/day, 25 m², 1.4 L tank
Worth considering if you dry laundry in a room that matches the stated floor area. The title lists a rated capacity of 16 L/day, a 25 m² coverage area, a 24-hour timer and automatic shut-off. If noise matters near a bedroom, check the conditions for the stated noise level before choosing.
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TRULIVA AP10-2012EE, around 32 m²
Consider this if you want a laundry setting and have a compatible drainage point. The title mentions laundry drying, continuous drainage and a 24-hour timer. For a studio flat or bedroom, check the noise level at the intended location too.
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VINO 12L Smart, WiFi, 1.8 L tank, 24 m²
Worth considering for a room that matches the stated coverage of 24 m², if you want a Dry mode for laundry. The title lists three modes—Auto, Dry and Sleep—as well as WiFi control. Different noise figures are listed for this model, so check which one applies to the mode you’ll use.
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VINO 20L Smart, WiFi, 2.5 L tank, 40 m²
Compare this model if the room where you dry laundry matches the stated coverage of 40 m². The title lists Auto, Dry and Sleep modes and a 2.5 L tank. Its rated capacity can’t predict how much water it will extract in your room. If noise is a deciding factor, also check the figure for the mode you’ve chosen.
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ELECCI 16 L/day, 3.1 L tank, 32 m²
Consider this if you want to choose between using the tank and draining water through a hose when doing laundry. The title mentions a drainage hose, four modes and a 24-hour timer. Check the noise level before placing it near a bedroom.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dehumidifier enough when laundry makes a room damp?
No. It can remove some of the moisture released as laundry dries, but it doesn’t replace ventilation. France Rénov’ notes that ventilation removes moisture produced by everyday activities, so choose a well-aired room or one with working air extraction.
How can I check whether the appliance is helping while laundry dries?
Use a hygrometer to measure humidity in the same room before, during and after drying. ADEME recommends a relative humidity range of 40 to 60% in the home. These readings help you track changes, but they can’t identify a leak or water ingress on their own.
Should I choose a tank or continuous drainage?
A tank is suitable if you can keep an eye on it and empty it. Check its capacity and what happens when it’s full. Only consider continuous drainage if the model supports it and your drainage point allows you to install it in line with the instructions.
How can I estimate electricity use?
Multiply the model’s power rating in kW by the number of hours it runs to calculate its energy use in kWh. Then apply your electricity tariff. Actual running time depends in part on the room’s humidity and the setting you choose.
What should I do if damp persists in a rented home?
Look for the cause rather than relying on a dehumidifier. After checking the airflow, ventilation grilles and signs of leaks, ADIL des Pyrénées-Orientales advises telling your landlord if the damp persists and appears to be related to the property.