If you’re still drying laundry on an airer, start by checking your washing machine’s spin efficiency. If you regularly wash loads and don’t want them taking up a room for long, consider a separate tumble dryer if you have the space. A washer-dryer saves you from needing a second appliance, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. A dehumidifier can help manage moisture, but it’s no substitute for ventilating your home.
If you want to keep using an airer but would like your laundry to dry faster, start by checking the spin efficiency. ADEME recommends paying attention to this when drying laundry indoors. You’ll also need to ventilate the room: spinning doesn’t remove the need to manage moisture.
A separate tumble dryer is worth considering if your airer regularly takes over your living space and you have room for an appliance. Compare its capacity with the loads you usually wash, and check how the condensed water is collected or drained.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, so you may need to split a full load of washing before drying it.
Your choice depends first on what you want to change: keep air-drying, dry loads in a separate appliance, or use a single space for both washing and drying.
Consider this if: you can leave laundry to dry on an airer without adding another appliance.
Bear in mind: a more effective spin won’t eliminate the need to air-dry or the moisture released into the room. ADEME recommends checking the spin efficiency class when drying laundry indoors.
Consider this if: you often dry full loads and have space for a second appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to make room for it and manage the condensate, depending on the model. UFC-Que Choisir says that a condenser dryer, including a heat-pump model, doesn’t need to be vented outside.
Consider this if: you only have room for one appliance to wash and dry your laundry.
Bear in mind: as UFC-Que Choisir points out, the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. You may therefore need to dry a full wash load in two batches.
| What matters to you | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Less time air-drying | Spin efficiency class on the label and a spin speed suited to the fabrics you wash. | If I’m keeping my airer, I want laundry to come out of the washing machine less wet so I can put it away sooner. Around 28 % of consumers prioritise this. |
| Regularly drying loads | Tumble dryer capacity, programme durations and condensate management. | When I have several loads of washing to do, I’d rather dry them in a separate appliance than have an airer taking over the room. This is the top priority for around 28 % of consumers. |
| Just one space available | Separate washing and drying capacities; appliance dimensions. | If I don’t have room for two appliances, I can accept taking some of the laundry out before drying. Saving space is the priority for around 22 % of consumers. |
| Moisture while air-drying | Ventilation options and how the ventilation system works; whether the room and intended use are suitable for a dehumidifier. | When laundry is left on the airer, I want to manage moisture without blocking the ventilation. Around 22 % of consumers prioritise this additional consideration. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. You may therefore need to reduce a full wash load or dry it in several batches.
Compare both capacities and choose according to the amount of laundry you actually want to dry in one cycle.
Unlike a condenser dryer, a vented model needs to be connected to an outside vent, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Before you buy, check the appliance type and whether you can connect it at the location you have in mind.
Creating or adapting an external vent may also involve building work.
Removing some of the moisture from the air doesn’t refresh it. ADEME recommends ventilating your home to help remove moisture.
Make sure air inlets and outlets remain clear, then consider a dehumidifier as an additional measure, depending on the room and the amount of laundry you air-dry.
Depending on the model, you’ll need to empty a tank or maintain a drainage system.
An effective spin helps laundry dry faster on an airer, but it doesn’t eliminate air-drying time or the need to ventilate the room.
If your main concern is having an airer occupying a room for long periods, also consider whether you could install a separate tumble dryer.
A brand to consider for a separate heat-pump tumble dryer.
A brand to consider if a lack of space leads you to choose a washer-dryer.
A brand to consider for a separate heat-pump tumble dryer.
A brand to consider if you need a washer-dryer because there isn’t room to install two appliances.
These appliances suit two ways of organising indoor laundry drying: use a separate tumble dryer instead of an airer, or choose a washing machine and continue to air-dry your laundry. For the second option, check the model’s spin efficiency class on its label.
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Worth considering if you have space to dry your laundry in a separate appliance.
Heat pump; stated capacity of 8 kg; energy rating C. Check the dimensions and programme durations to make sure they suit your installation and laundry routine.
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Consider this for drying loads in a separate appliance rather than on an airer.
Heat pump; stated capacity of 8 kg; energy rating D. Check the dimensions and cycle durations before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering if you’d like to dry your laundry in a separate appliance.
The model name indicates an 8 kg capacity and condenser drying. Check the exact technology, cycle durations and how condensed water is managed for your installation.
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Worth considering if you plan to continue air-drying your laundry after washing.
Maximum stated spin speed of 1 600 tr/min. This speed alone doesn’t tell you its spin efficiency class, so check the label. Laundry will still need to dry after washing.
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Worth considering if you’ll continue to dry laundry on an airer and are comparing washing machines by their spin performance.
Stated capacity of 8 kg and maximum spin speed of 1 400 tr/min. Check the spin efficiency class on the label; this washing machine doesn’t dry laundry.
No. A dehumidifier doesn’t refresh the air. ADEME recommends ventilating your home to help remove moisture. If you’re considering one alongside air-drying laundry, keep ventilation points clear.
It depends on the type of appliance. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a vented tumble dryer needs to be connected to an outside vent, while a condenser model, including a heat-pump dryer, doesn’t. Also check how the chosen model collects or drains condensed water.
Not if the wash load exceeds its drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity according to UFC-Que Choisir. For example, Electrolux states that the EW9W1166RA can wash 10 kg and dry 6 kg. With this model, you’d need to reduce a 10 kg wash load before starting the drying cycle.
Compare the wash-only cycle and the wash-and-dry cycle separately. The European Commission says washer-dryer labels include energy efficiency classes, energy and water consumption, cycle duration and noise levels. Focus on the figures that match how you plan to use the appliance.