Well I certainly did not think my post would be that popular :shock:

I use one of these extendable wall mounted clothes airer and I couldn't be happier...its super compact yet hangs a lot of clothes..and you just pull it out when you need it (which is pretty much all the time for us :)

http://www.laundrycompany.co.uk/clothes-airers-dryers/wall-mounted-pull-out-clothes-dryer-airer/leifheit-teleclip-100-wall-mounted-clothes-airer.html

@supergirl, we have a De'Longhi dehumidifier but @pod's recommendation looks good too. I've always looked for ones which extract more than 10 litres of moisture per day to make sure they are up to the job.

Dehumidifies are the future!

Supergirl - rate this highly!!!!
http://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/meaco12le/meaco-meaco12le-dehumidifier

The Lakeland dryer is genius!! We have had one since our twins were born (now 4) and it's invaluable. We stick ours in the spare room - known as the laundry room if feeling grand - which is also where ironing board etc is

@sgwitch: my thoughts exactly. I do not own one and i am not planning on getting even though it would make my towels softer....

@lurkingdad: could you please or someone link to a good dehumidifier. Since reading that thread i am convinced this is what i must add to my drying solutions.

Thank you for starting that thread - very enlightening (and I DO have a life too :lol: )

This was a nice thread to read and as an American living here I would like to commend this part of the world for trying to find the balance of modern conveniences along with trying to preserve the environment for our future generations. When we first moved here I was reacquainted with the sight of drying laundry which is something I don't remember seeing in America since I was young. These days each time I put my clothes on the line or drying rack I wish that most Americans still did more of this. Once habituated, t's hard to give up full reliance on the drying machine which is not so healthy for the environment. To those of you who said you're running out of patience hanging up clothes, every little bit of conservation counts and the future generations will thank us!!! :D

A lurking dad here. A dehumidifier Is definitely the answer; we've used one for years. The problem with drying washing inside is the water; where does it go? If you just use a clothes horse the washing will eventually dry, but the water in the air creates condensation and eventually damp.

We dry our washing in a box room on a clothes horse with the door closed and an optional small desk fan moving the air. The washing dries in a couple of hours, and the room is always toasty afterwards (because the moisture has been taken out the air).

You can buy a good dehumdier from John Lewis for about £150.

Doesn't reading a whole thread you're not interested in and then posting on it mean you have less of a life?

Can I ask if the heated rack still gives clothes that annoying line that non-heated ones sometimes do?

One other idea: have 3 or 4 tension rods across a small corridor I have behind the kitchen near the washing machine and the laundry basket and I hang most things there to dry on hangers. They come out really flat with no need to iron besides tops an, shirts and dresses. Only use dryer for towels or when in super hurry.

hawkes, it is possible to both fret over unsightly laundry cluttering the house AND greater issues... why judge what makes one person stressed/happy/motivated?

I have a "Chinese laundry", mostly radiator racks & shirts on hangers in the hallway. I am used to it all Winter now, but agree large racks in rooms is annoying, if like me you've got only small rooms & smaller rooms.
I do sheets on a fine weekend morning if possible, this just means we don't wash weekly, nobody ever died doing it every other week. Towels I wash not all at once, this is the key or the house becomes humid and -nothing- dries.
Agree with the other poster, it IS possible to dry outside even in Winter, although if drizzle or temps hovering around 1-2 it is not worth it.
Overnight when there is a breeze, you will be surprised!
I use retractable Minky lines outdoors, but they have a very handy looking one for indoors which might suit you, if you have a spot you can bear it to go:

http://www.very.co.uk/minky-4-line-indoor-retractable-airer/1384667382.prd?sku=sku15348913&cm_mmc=google-_-PLA+-+Home+%26+Garden-_-Home+%26+Garden+-+Airers-_-na_85148772298&utm_medium=cpc&k_clickid=9e9ee9ba-7c5c-4339-a519-e0aa802f207d&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Shopping_Home%20&%20Garden&utm_term=na&utm_content=85148772298&profileid=402&keywordid=na&productgroupid=pg281972&device=c&gclid=CPvY_Kjh89ECFUq77Qod8sYEBw

Good luck & don't be put off solving this - you will crack it in the end!

OMG - please everyone get a life

With spring coming, and if you've got a garden why not dry your clothes outside, I do, even in the winter if it's not too cold and there's a wind. Old fashioned, free, gets stains out of everything if it's sunny and the smell of your washing afterwards beats a tumble dryer and drying indoors every day! This is my outdoor dryer, which folds away discreetly. Worth the investment.
https://www.brabantia.com/uk/wallfix-with-cover-silver/

Those interested in a heated drying rack might be interested in the following offer from Living Social today which is on offer for £59.99 +p&p.
https://www.livingsocial.co.uk/email-deals/shop/2270655/59-99-instead-97-99-easy-life-group-tier-heated?Linkpos=Title&blockpos=19&deal=2270655&ito=livingsocial_email_National_Special_GB_30012017_Default&cauth=a9d6f994-bdfa-4daa-b851-68c0975514a7&st_cid=8733599&st_rid=1130906615

We use both a lakeland heated airer and a dehumidifier - they work wonders together (washing dry in 2 hours!) - would definitely recommend!