People are sharing their ultimate washing machine hacks to avoid using tumble dryer

As the cost of living increases, many of us are looking for innovative ways to dry clothes without using the tumble dryer as it’s expensive – and some washing gurus have the answer

If you’re already feeling the impact of the rising price of electricity bills, you are not alone, as many people are ditching their tumble dryers in favour of cheaper alternatives and hacks to avoid the crazy costs which can come from drying clothes. Some have suggested getting a heated airer to dry clothes on, with one Aldi shopper taking to the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group to share that they’d bought a £39.99 airer and saying it cost only 18p per load to run.

However, others claimed there was no need to lay out the £40 because they had different ways to ensure washing didn’t take so long to dry – and they don’t involve buying anything.

The original post about the airer encouraged others to share tips and tricks to getting the job done, advising others where they may be going wrong.

The most common response was to put the washing machine on a high or double spin setting, or even add an extra spin at the end. This is because it can help to remove any excess water which may be left in the clothes, which can cause washing to take longer to dry.

One person said: “I always put my washing on an extra spin after the wash has finished if I’m going to be drying inside.”

Another agreed, writing: “Double spin your loads, it’s amazing the difference an extra spin makes.”

However, if you’re still determined to use your tumble dryer, Facebook users had a few sage words of advice on how to get the most out of your load – and adding a towel could make all the difference.

Someone suggested: “If you want to make your tumble dryer work quicker and use less electric then put a towel in with a wet load, leave it in for 15-20 minutes and then remove it. The towel will absorb lots of moisture from the clothes making them dry quicker.”

One even suggested using wool dryer balls as they ‘work a treat’ and ‘cut down drying time’.

How do you normally dry your clothes? Let us know in the comments.