If you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable extraction where you can put an airer, start by drying your clothes there. ADEME highlights that drying clothes indoors adds a lot of moisture to the air in your home. If your clothes come out very wet, check your washing machine’s spin cycle. If you need to get one load after another through the wash, compare heat-pump tumble dryers. A dehumidifier can help manage moisture while you air-dry clothes, but it does not replace ventilation.
You can set aside a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable extraction for drying clothes. Your first decision is where to put the airer and how to organise your drying routine: according to ADEME, air-drying adds a significant amount of moisture to indoor air.
You can’t leave your airer occupied for long between loads. ADEME recommends checking your washing machine’s spin efficiency to make drying easier. A tumble dryer is another option if it suits your home and can be installed there.
You need to keep drying clothes in a small space and are considering a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air. Noise, the space it takes up and managing its water tank all matter in day-to-day use, but you’ll still need to air the room.
First, decide where your clothes can dry. Then work out whether your main concern is moisture in the room, how quickly you need to get through your laundry or installing an appliance. The spin cycle does its job before drying begins; a dehumidifier supports air-drying rather than replacing it.
| Concern | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture in the room | Room size and suitable ventilation or extraction; position the airer so it doesn’t block air inlets or outlets. | If I keep using an airer, I want to choose a room where I can manage the moisture from my washing. Around 36 % of consumers would put this concern first. |
| Laundry routine | Spin efficiency and settings; tumble dryer capacity and programme duration. | When I have back-to-back loads, I need a drying option that fits my routine rather than waiting for the airer to become free. This pace would be a priority for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Space and installation | Dimensions and required clearance; noise level and access to the tank or a condensate drain. | In a flat where space is tight, I need to be able to install the appliance and manage the collected water without making every wash more complicated. Around 21 % of consumers would prioritise these constraints. |
| Care and fabrics | Emptying and cleaning requirements; programmes suited to garment care labels. | I want an easy routine to follow, while avoiding machine-drying fabrics that aren’t suitable for it. For around 14 % of consumers, this would be the main concern. |
This capacity depends on the conditions under which it was measured, so it doesn’t tell you by itself how well the appliance will perform in your room. For example, De’Longhi gives a figure of 20 L/24 h at 30 °C and 80 % relative humidity for the DDSX220.
Also compare the test conditions, room size, noise and emptying options. Don’t use the stated capacity alone to estimate how long clothes will take to dry.
A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, while ventilation brings in fresh air. ADEME links ventilation with fresh air supply and limiting excess moisture.
Before choosing an appliance, identify a well-ventilated drying room or one with suitable extraction. Think of a dehumidifier as an extra aid.
The space it takes up, its noise level and how you drain the condensate all affect how practical it is to use in a flat. For this model specifically, Bosch gives dimensions of 842 × 598 × 613 mm and a noise level of 62 dB for the WQG13500FR.
Measure the available space and the clearances required in the instructions, then check whether you’ll use a tank or a drain connection.
The programme must be suitable for the fabric. Electrolux notes that fabric type and your choice of drying method can contribute to shrinkage.
Sort your laundry by care label and air-dry any items that aren’t suitable for a tumble dryer.
Worth considering if you’re comparing a washing machine’s spin cycle with the installation of a heat-pump tumble dryer as part of the same laundry routine.
Consider Miele if managing condensed water and keeping on top of maintenance are important when choosing a tumble dryer.
Worth a look if you still need to air-dry your clothes and want to add a dehumidifier to your drying room.
These appliances represent three different choices: use a heat-pump tumble dryer for loads you want to dry by machine, consider the spin cycle when choosing a washing machine, or use a dehumidifier alongside your airer. Whatever appliance you choose, the room and its ventilation still matter.
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Worth considering if frequent washing makes air-drying impractical. The product title states an 8 kg capacity and C energy rating.
Before deciding where to put it, check the dimensions, noise level, energy consumption shown on the label and how condensate is managed.
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An option for machine-drying loads rather than tying up your airer. The title states an 8 kg capacity and D energy rating; choose programmes according to the care labels on your clothes.
Check the dimensions, noise level, energy consumption and how condensate is collected before installation.
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Worth comparing if you’re replacing your washing machine and want to look at the spin cycle before air-drying your clothes. The title states an 8 kg capacity and a maximum spin speed of 1 400 tr/min.
Check the spin efficiency and the speeds available for your chosen programmes. Even well-spun clothes still need to dry in a suitable room or another appliance.
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Worth considering as an extra aid if you’ll still be drying clothes on an airer. The title states that it has a laundry mode, a 2.8 L tank and a hose for continuous drainage.
The 25 L/day capacity is stated at 90 % relative humidity and 95 °F. Compare these conditions with those in your room. This appliance does not bring in fresh air.
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Worth considering if you want to machine-dry your clothes, provided you confirm that this variant suits your loads. Its energy rating is listed as D.
The title states a 10 kg capacity, but the product description also mentions 8 kg. Confirm the exact capacity before choosing. Check the dimensions, noise level and how condensate is managed too.
No. It removes moisture from the room’s air, but doesn’t bring in fresh air. ADEME notes that ventilation helps to renew the air, among other things. So, if you keep using an airer, check that the room is also well ventilated or has suitable extraction.
It needs a suitable way to vent air outside the home. The European Commission says that heat-pump technology is required for new domestic tumble dryers placed on the EU market since 1 July 2025. Check the type of appliance you’re considering and its installation instructions.
Compare the energy rating on the A to G scale and energy consumption in kWh per 100 cycles, then consider the capacity, programme duration and noise level for your needs. Don’t compare this scale directly with the old A+++ rating.
Only put clothes in the tumble dryer if their care label says they’re suitable, and choose a programme that’s right for the fabric. Electrolux notes that the fabric and programme you choose can play a part in shrinkage.
Check the requirements for your chosen model and where you plan to put it. Water may collect in a tank, while some appliances offer continuous drainage. If you choose this option, check which accessories you need and whether the hose can reach the drain before you buy.