Dehumidifier for Drying Clothes

The extraction rate (for example, 10L, 12L or 20L per day) measures how much water the machine can pull from the air in 24 hours. Drying a single load of laundry releases 2 to 3 litres of water into your room.

• Small spaces / 1–2 person households: A 10L–12L unit is typically enough for occasional laundry drying in a bedroom or small room.
• Large households / heavy washing: A 20L+ unit extracts moisture faster, making it ideal if you dry multiple loads a week or place your clothes airer in an unheated room.

Continuous drainage allows you to attach a small hose to the back of the dehumidifier so water runs directly into a sink, bath or floor drain, bypassing the internal water tank entirely.

Why it's useful: Normally, a dehumidifier automatically turns off when its water tank gets full. If you leave a damp load of laundry to dry while you are at work or overnight, a full tank could stop the machine halfway through. Continuous drainage lets the machine run non-stop until your clothes are dry. Note: Water drains using gravity, so the unit must sit slightly higher than the drain point.

If you are not using continuous drainage, the tank capacity determines how often you have to carry water to the sink.

• A small tank (1.5L–2L): This will fill up quickly during a laundry cycle, meaning you might need to empty it 1–2 times per load.
• A larger tank (3L–5L): This keeps the machine running longer without shutting off mid-cycle.

Humidistat: Just like a wall thermostat measures heat, a humidistat measures humidity. It lets you set a target humidity level (usually 40–50%). Once your laundry is dry and the room reaches that target, the machine automatically turns off so you don't waste electricity.

Timer: This allows you to set the machine to run for a specific number of hours (for example, 4 or 6 hours while drying a load) before shutting off automatically.

Place the dehumidifier next to your clothes airer, ideally facing the clothes so dry air circulates through the fabric.

Safety note: Never place wet clothes directly over or on top of the dehumidifier, as blocking the vents can cause overheating.

Mobility: Look for models with built-in castors (wheels) or a carry handle if you plan to move the unit between your living area and wherever you dry your laundry.

Compressor dehumidifiers: These are the most common and energy-efficient for everyday home use. They perform best in heated indoor spaces (above 15°C / 59°F).

Desiccant dehumidifiers: These are better suited for cold, unheated spaces (like an unheated garage, conservatory or cold utility room below 10°C / 50°F). They also blow out slightly warmer air, which can help dry clothes faster in chillier rooms, though they use more electricity to operate.

Before choosing a model for drying laundry, check for:

• Laundry Mode: Does it have a dedicated continuous/laundry setting?
• Extraction capacity & tank size: Will it handle your weekly load volume without needing constant emptying?
• Continuous hose option: Is a drainage hose included in the box if you want to bypass the tank?
• Noise level (dB): If drying clothes in a bedroom or main living space, aim for a quiet unit (under 42dB).
• Portability: Does it have wheels or a handle for moving between rooms?