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Households looking to cut energy bills this winter are being urged to rethink how they dry their laundry, as social media users report that clothes can dry in half the time when using a one device instead of a heated airer.

While air-drying remains the cheapest method, it isn't always practical, particularly in cold, damp weather, when clothes can take days to dry and may develop musty smells. Many turn to tumble dryers for convenience, but the appliances remain among the biggest energy users in the home, and not all households own one.

This has led to a surge in popularity for heated airers and portable dehumidifiers, two lower-cost alternatives that promise faster, more efficient drying. But with both options costing a similar amount upfront, users continue to debate which one offers the best performance.

That question resurfaced this week when Facebook user Gemma Dawn posted in the Mrs Hinch Army Cleaning Tips group, asking whether to invest in a heated airer or a dehumidifier paired with a standard airer. Her query drew 137 comments and an unexpectedly strong consensus.

The majority of responses favoured dehumidifiers, with users reporting dramatically faster drying times and far better results compared to heated airers.

Jackie Rowe said "Dehumidifier 100%". She added that her heated airer required constant rearranging of clothes to achieve even drying.

Others shared similar frustrations as they complained that heated airers tend to dry only the fabric directly touching the warm rails.

Several users described the energy used by heated airers as a "waste," saying the devices failed to noticeably speed up the drying process. Dawn Chaplin said she no longer bothers to plug hers in.

By contrast, those using dehumidifiers said they were surprised by how much moisture the machines extracts and how quickly clothes dry as a result.

After running one for two days, Lynsey Muirhead said she was "shocked" by the amount of water collected.

Multiple commenters highlighted the effectiveness of dehumidifiers with a dedicated laundry-drying mode.

Paula Jenkins called them "best by far," adding that they dry clothes in half the time of a heated airer. Others described the switch as "game-changing" and said they would never go back.

With energy prices still a concern for many households, the feedback suggests a clear winner for cost-conscious laundry drying. As British homes grow wetter and colder through winter, more families may find that a dehumidifier is the key to quicker, cheaper, and more efficient drying.