Drying clothes can be a nightmare when there's less sunlight and winds to help speed up the process. But Mrs Hinch fans have shared a 'genius' way to do it indoors and it's super easy.

Summer appears to be well and truly coming to an end with Storm Lilian set to hit the UK. With the days of hanging out the laundry to dry in the sunshine potentially over for another year - our energy costs are set to increase with it. The Energy Trust has revealed that tumble dryers, along with washing machines and dishwashers, account for a huge 14 per cent of households' energy usage.

And some dryers can use as much as £1.76 a cycle, which quickly adds up. So how to avoid racking up huge household bills this winter? While some people choose to hang up their washing around the home, it's not advisable given that it can increase the moisture in your home, which can lead to mould and damp. It can also make your clothes smell bad. But it seems that fans of cleaning and homeware guru Mrs Hinch have come up with the answer. Posting in a Facebook group titled 'Mrs Hinch Made Me Do It', one social media user said: "I use a clothes airer with a dehumidifier, it dries faster than my tumble dryer". Another echoed: "I swear by my dehumidifier. Hang the clothes in the utility room, shut the door and a load is dry in four hours", while a third said: "Wouldn't be without [my dehumidifier]. Scary how much water it takes. No damp problems anymore and our clothes are dry overnight".

Drying Clothes Indoors: Dehumidifier And Extra Spin

For speedier clothes drying, it's advisable to crank up the spin cycle on your washing machine or even add an extra spin at the end. This little trick helps eliminate additional water that may linger in your garments, speeding up the drying process.

On one Facebook group, a user recommended: "I always put my washing on an extra spin after the wash has finished if I'm going to be drying inside. " Echoing this strategy, another person shared: "Double spin your loads, it's amazing the difference an extra spin makes. Those keen on continuing with tumble dryers despite everything aren't left without tips from internet folks, and they come with nifty suggestions to optimise your load.

"It apparently does wonders to toss in a towel with your damp laundry into the dryer." A savvy social media advisor stated: "If you want to make your tumble dryer work quicker and use less electricity 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. Others swear by wool dryer balls, proclaiming they 'work a treat' to 'cut down drying time'.

Drying Clothes Outdoors: The Upside And Downside

It might not be as scorching this weekend as it has been in previous weeks but the weather is still plenty warm enough to dry clothes outside. It's so much better in summer when we're able to peg out clothes on washing lines instead of relying on clothes horses in cramped and damp living rooms in the winter.

And there are so many upsides to hanging laundry outside: hanging clothes on a washing line dries them faster even on milder days, and clothes feel fresher and are less likely to be stale than when drying inside. Another bonus is that drying outside releases the moisture out into the air rather than risk making mould and damp indoors.

In fact, fabric softener company Lenor actually says drying clothes on the line outside is scientifically proven to improve their smell. They explan: "Line-dried clothes have a distinctive and unique smell thanks to the photochemistry reaction that takes place when solar rays hit wet fabric. Hung outside, the ultraviolet light from the sun kills bacteria effectively in your laundry. Plus, clothes dried in the sun produce a range of aldehydes and ketones; organic compounds that our noses associate with the scent of plants or perfumes."

But there is a little known problem with drying clothes outside in the hot weather: it can actually damage some types of clothes. Direct sunlight breaks down dyes used in fabrics and this leads to fading. You've probably pulled your favourite t-shirt or summer dress out of the wardrobe and thought: this used to be a lot brighter, and then blamed your washing machine for washing the life out of it. But actually, in the summer time direct sunlight can be responsible for damaging clothes and ruining their colours. Households using a washing line are being urged to avoid drying bright or dark items in direct sunlight. Instead, find a shaded area and pop them on a clothes horse. This way, the heat and the breeze will dry them but they won't be faded in the direct sun.

The English Home explains: "If you leave dark or strongly coloured items on the line for days on end, then they are likely to start to fade. If you’re worried about fading, a good rule of thumb is to bring darker clothing in as soon as it is dry."

Lenor also has a tip for that if you must put them outside. They said: "Direct sunlight breaks down dyes used in fabrics and leads to fading. When drying bright or dark items outside, turn them inside out and ensure your airer or clothesline is in the shade. Pro tip: Using a fabric conditioner like Lenor will help maintain the vibrancy of your colours and prevent fading."

The Stylish Solution: Joseph Joseph Eclipse Clothes Airer

The design experts at Joseph Joseph have excelled this season with the introduction of the new Eclipse clothes airer that effortlessly conceals laundry while it dries indoors. There's no denying that drying clothes indoors can be a frustration felt by every household during the colder months, so we are forever exploring the best solutions. While the new Joseph Joseph Eclipse clothes airer isn't one of the best heated clothes airers we would argue that it is the most stylish of the non-heated offerings on the market.

Thanks to this new chic airer homeowners no longer need to fear months of untidy clothes on show while they dry indoors. RRP: £125 | This latest smart laundry solution, designed by the masterful team at Joseph Joseph, is one of the chicest laundry drying airers we've ever seen. The upright 3-tier drying rack comes with fabric sides that hide unsightly laundry from sight – simple but genius. It offers a 14M drying capacity to tackle the laundry pile with ease and added to that each shelf folds in making it easier to dry long items of clothing – such as dresses and jumpsuits. And because Joseph Joseph considers every practicality the airer seamlessly folds flat for easy storage.

"We aimed to tackle the common issue of airers cluttering living spaces, making laundry drying appear untidy," Richard Joseph, CEO and Co-Founder of Joseph Joseph explained to woman&home. "Our Eclipse 3-tier airer with a built-in screen offers a practical and stylish solution, perfect for maximising convenience and drying space in compact living areas."

"Key features include fold-flat shelves for easy drying of longer items and wheels, which simplify moving the airer even when it’s fully loaded. With a focus on both functionality and aesthetics, the minimalist design and neutral hue seamlessly integrates into any home décor while providing an effective, discreet laundry drying solution."

When you are not lucky enough to have a small laundry room dedicated to doing the washing you are left to dry clothes around the house – which can look unsightly. This covered clothes airer offers a discreet way to leave your clothes drying beside the radiator or wood-burning stove.

The generous 14M drying capacity feels more akin to most of the popular heated clothes airers, but as we found out while carrying out the Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer review, they are bulky in size and hard to manoeuvre from room to room. While this new Joseph Joseph Eclipse clothes airer isn't heated, it comes with lockable wheels to make it easier to move around – which allows you the freedom to relocate it easily. So not only does it look more attractive, but it's also not in your way constantly.

When we're not testing the latest heated clothes airers we're mastering how to soften towels or learning how to wash pillows to remove yellow stains – it's safe to say we like to stay on top of the all latest know-how in the world of laundry here at w&h. This chic Joseph Joseph Eclipse clothes airer is most certainly going to be a joy to test – keep your eyes peeled for our review coming soon.