A small middle‑aisle buy could change chilly evenings.
Next week, Lidl plans to put a low‑watt heated clothes airer with a cover into its Specialbuys aisle, echoing Martin Lewis’s winter rule of warming people and small spaces, not entire homes. Shoppers facing higher tariffs and steamy windows will look twice, because this little frame promises warmth you can feel and laundry that actually dries.
What lidl is putting on shelves next week
The retailer is due to stock a fold‑out heated airer with a breathable cover. It runs at around the 230W mark typically seen in these models. The idea is simple: warm rails accelerate evaporation; the cover traps a pocket of heat around the fabric. The footprint is compact enough for a corner of the lounge or a spare room.
Expect it to appeal for two reasons. First, it dries clothes for pennies compared with a tumble cycle. Second, it throws out a gentle glow of warmth that takes the edge off a small room. That combination lands perfectly as temperatures dip and budgets tighten.
Typical figures: 230W draw ≈ about 7p per hour at 29p/kWh. Five hours ≈ 35p. A tumble dryer cycle can use 2–3kWh, roughly 58p–87p.
Price on the shelf varies by model and promotion, so treat the running cost as the headline figure. The box to look for will mention a zipped or draped cover, folding legs, and carry handles. Stock is limited by store.
Why this taps Martin Lewis’s winter rule
For years, Martin Lewis has urged people to heat themselves and the immediate area, not every cubic metre of air in the house. Heated throws, hot water bottles and low‑watt gadgets follow that logic. A heated airer fits the same plan: you sit nearby, feel the light warmth, and dry clothes at the same time.
Method, not endorsement: there’s no official Martin Lewis sign‑off on a specific Lidl model. The approach is what counts.
The physics in plain words
Warm metal rails boost evaporation right where water sits, at the fabric surface. The cover traps a small layer of warm, dry air so moisture leaves the cloth faster instead of drifting into the room. Air movement helps too. A small fan on its lowest setting can shave time off thick items such as jeans and hoodies.
Humidity is the hidden lever. Keep relative humidity near 40%–60%. Higher than that, drying drags and rooms feel chilly and clammy. Pairing a heated airer with a modest dehumidifier can speed things up and cut condensation on windows.
Real‑world costs you can plan around
Use the maths to decide when to switch from the tumble dryer. On a standard variable tariff of about 29p/kWh, an airer at roughly 230W costs near 7p per hour. If a load needs five hours, that is about 35p. A typical condenser dryer cycle at 2.5kW for one hour sits around 73p, and many cycles last longer.
Run two loads a week on the airer instead of the dryer and the difference could land between £1 and £2 weekly. Over a 16‑week stretch, that’s about £16–£32. Over a longer, damp season of 24 weeks, £24–£48. Your tariff, insulation and fabric mix shift the numbers, but the direction is clear.
| Scenario | Assumptions | Estimated energy | Estimated cost at 29p/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heated airer only | 230W for 5 hours | 1.15 kWh | ≈ 33p–35p |
| Airer + dehumidifier | 230W + 150W for 3.5 hours | ≈ 1.33 kWh | ≈ 38p–40p |
| Tumble dryer cycle | 2.5kW for 1 hour | 2.5 kWh | ≈ 73p |
How to get more warmth for fewer pence
Placement and spacing do the heavy lifting. Put the airer where you sit in the evening. Leave finger‑width gaps between garments so air can pass. Rotate thicker items halfway through so both sides get rail contact. If the unit has a timer, short bursts can be efficient because the cover holds residual warmth.
- Spin at 1200–1400 rpm to reduce water before you even start drying.
- Start with lighter items to clear space and speed heavier pieces later.
- Add a clean microfibre cloth to the rails; it wicks moisture and evens heat.
- Use a small room and shut the door to build a warm bubble.
- Track the running cost with a smart plug set to your tariff rate.
Sit within a metre, crack the cover toward you, and let that pocket of heat take the chill off while the laundry dries.
Safety and moisture control
Keep cords clear of walkways. Do not drape fabrics over the plug or the control panel. Leave a gap from bedding and curtains. Place the frame on a stable, flat surface. Unplug when you head out. Watch humidity with a cheap hygrometer; if it rises above 60%, open a window for ten minutes or run a dehumidifier to curb condensation and mould risk.
Availability and what to expect in store
Lidl lists the heated airer for next week in its Specialbuys section. Stock varies by branch and region. Expect fast sell‑through as the weather turns. Look for a unit that folds flat, includes a tailored cover, and can be carried to wherever you sit. The on‑box power rating lets you estimate the exact running cost for your tariff.
Who benefits most, and when to skip it
Households with damp rooms, school uniforms on rotation, or shared energy meters gain easy wins. People on time‑of‑use tariffs can set a timer for cheaper hours, cutting costs further. If you already line‑dry in a warm, well‑ventilated space, savings may be slimmer, but the added comfort could still be worth the plug‑in.
If your home struggles with condensation, pair the airer with short ventilation bursts or a low‑watt dehumidifier. Treat the airer as a gentle heater, not a substitute for central heating on frosty nights.
Turn the numbers into a quick plan
Work out your own figure. Take your kWh price and multiply by 0.23 for the hourly cost of a 230W unit. At 34p/kWh, it’s about 7.8p per hour. At 22p/kWh, closer to 5p. If a load usually needs five hours, multiply that by your hourly rate. Keep a simple note on the fridge so everyone knows when to switch it on and when to stop.
Clothes last longer on warm rails than in a hot drum, so you save a bit on wear and tear as well. Pair the setup with slippers, a thick jumper, and a hot drink, and you match the spirit of the advice: target the person, not the house, and watch the smart meter rise in tiny, manageable numbers.
