Stop Paying to Dry Your Clothes: How Air Drying Can Cut Your Energy Bills by Hundreds a Year

1. The Hidden Drain on Your Wallet: Your Tumble Dryer

In a typical UK household, laundry is a routine chore, but it often comes with a hidden, heavy cost. Tumble dryers, while undeniably convenient, are consistently one of the most energy-intensive appliances you own. They're a primary reason why many families see those unexpectedly high utility bills.

 

The good news? Switching to air drying is one of the quickest, simplest changes you can make to immediately save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and even protect the life of your favourite clothing.

 

2. The True Cost of Running a Tumble Dryer in the UK

Let's look at the numbers. The average tumble dryer consumes between 2–4 kWh of electricity per load. When you add up the weekly washes, this quickly translates to £60–£100 per year for most UK households—and that figure can be much higher for larger families.

Air drying is completely free.

Once you make the one-time, smart investment in a high-quality clothes airer from Dryly—whether it's a sleek wall-mounted, handy foldable, large standing, or discreet retractable model—you eliminate that massive energy cost forever. You pay zero in electricity, instantly lowering your monthly outgoings.

 

 


 

3. Savings Beyond Electricity: Protecting Your Wardrobe

The financial benefit of air drying isn't limited to cutting your energy bills. Tumble dryers actively work to shorten the life of your clothing. The high heat and constant tumbling action:

  • Shrink fabrics (especially wool and cotton).

  • Fade colours over time.

  • Weaken fibres, forcing you to replace items sooner.

Air drying is gentler. It keeps fabrics softer, preserves colours, and ensures your favourite items like delicates, knits, and fine cottons last significantly longer. Over the years, this reduction in having to replace worn-out clothing adds up to hundreds of pounds in savings on your wardrobe budget.

4. A Simple Step Towards Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Living

For UK residents focused on sustainability, air drying offers a massive environmental payoff for zero effort.

The Energy Saving Trust confirms that by moving away from the tumble dryer, you can save up to 60kg of CO₂ per year per household. This is a small, easy change that delivers a significant, tangible environmental benefit. It’s an effortless step toward a more sustainable lifestyle that requires no major sacrifices—just a smarter way to manage your laundry.


 

5. Practical Tips to Maximise Efficiency and Savings

Don't let small spaces or the British weather deter you. With the right setup, you can air dry efficiently year-round:

  • Optimise Space: Use foldable or retractable racks that disappear when not in use, making them perfect for small flats or utility rooms.

  • Boost Heat: Position your airer near a sunlit window or in the warmest room of the house to speed up the process.

  • Maximise Airflow: Ensure clothes are spaced widely apart on the rack—don't overlap!

  • Rotate and Flip: Turn heavier items, like jeans or towels, halfway through the drying cycle to ensure even drying.

Air drying is more than just a money-saving choice—it’s a smarter, cleaner, and more intentional way to handle your laundry. Make the switch today and join the thousands of UK households enjoying fresh, soft laundry and permanently lower energy bills.