The best way to dry laundry in winter

At my place over winter, the sun apologetically creeps over the hills for a few hours a day – if it appears at all. So, with my outdoor clothes line hamstrung by this gloomy weather, what’s the best way to dry my washing?
I needed data. I put together a 3kg trial load of bath and tea towels, T-shirts, socks, jeans and synthetic sportswear. I gathered scales, a power meter and a sensor that records temperature and humidity. After being washed in my front-loading machine and spun at 1100rpm, my trial load weighed 4.2kg. That’s 1.2L of water I needed to remove. My ideal method would be minimal hassle, cheap, good for the environment, and it wouldn’t leave my home damp.
I tried five different drying methods and found a clear winner: my vented clothes dryer. It was easy to use, sent all the moisture outside, gave consistent results and, while it wasn’t free, forward-planning minimised the cost to my pocket and the environment. Whenever I can’t dry clothes outside, my dryer will shoulder the workload this winter.
TIP: Use the fastest spin your washing machine will allow and clothing can handle. Spinning at 1100rpm instead of 800rpm removed an extra third (600ml) of moisture from my test load.
Outside on a line
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Best for cost, environment and home health, but weather-dependent and a hassle.
On a calm, sunny winter day, six hours on the clothes line shifted just over 40% of the moisture in my washing. The method required me hanging my load out in the morning before I left for work, and remembering to pull it in before the sun dropped and the damp evening undid all my good work. One day of outside hanging didn’t dry my washing, but it was quicker and used less energy to finish it off in my dryer. On a good day, outside line drying costs nothing and has no environmental impact at all.
TIP: A breezy, overcast winter day is better at drying washing than a calm, sunny one.
Indoor on a rack
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No cost or environmental impact, but fills your home with moisture.
It’s easier hanging washing on a rack indoors than pegging it outside, and the method works even on filthy-wet days. It comes at zero cost to your wallet and uses no energy. However, my trial found a drying rack was far from a perfect solution. I set mine up in an unheated back room. Though large windows meant the rack was exposed to winter sun, there was no airflow around the wet clothes and I shifted just a third of the moisture in six hours. However, I could leave the load on the rack all day and night to dry. The biggest downside was to the health of my home – all of the moisture from my washing ended up in my back room.
TIP: Make like a DOC Hut: putting the drying rack next to (or above) an electric heater or woodburner will dry clothes faster and keep moisture airborne. You must ventilate the room well though (open a window or two), otherwise you’ll end up with an unhealthy living space full of warm, moist air.
TIP: Put the drying rack in your bathroom and run the extractor fan. It’ll add a few cents to your electricity bill, but the fan will suck some of the moisture outside, and the rest will be in a room designed to cope with damp.
Inside on a rack with a dehumidifier
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A dehumidifier makes an indoor drying rack a better option (for a price).
Running a dehumidifier next to the clothes rack adds cost, but you get a triple-whammy of benefits: the dehumidifier heats the room, creates a breeze to help the laundry dry, and sucks up moisture. When I tried a Mitsubishi Electric model running full bore on “laundry” mode next to the drying rack, my clothes were dry in five hours and my room ended up 3°C warmer, with lower humidity than when I started. However, the dehumidifier used 1.9kWh of electricity (costing about 50¢). While I couldn’t fault the increased drying performance, the impact on my wallet was surprisingly high, and the dehumidifier’s noise rendered the room uninhabitable for five hours.
Which dehumidifiers score best for water removal, energy efficiency and quietness? Find out with our test results.
In a clothes dryer
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Minimal hassle and drying time, a healthy home, but a lighter wallet and environmental niggles.
Drying the load in my $600 Electrolux vented dryer (using a sensor program) took an hour. All the moisture vented outside. I was expecting it to be the most expensive option, the price I paid for convenience, but it used 1.9kWh – the same as running the dehumidifier for five hours. Looking at my dryer’s specifications, it makes sense: it has a 2100W heating element and a small motor to turn the drum, so an hour of sensor-controlled use should use about 2kW.
TIP: Check whether your electricity plan has cheaper periods, so you can save a few cents per load - some plans offer reduced off-peak rates or even free power for a short period each day. Make sure you're not paying a premium to dry your clothes at peak times.
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

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🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

53.3% Human-centred experience and communication

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29.5% Resilience and adaptability

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2.9% Other - I will share below!

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315 votes

5 hours ago

Assistant Manager - Restaurant

Kiran Reddy from Mount Eden

Date posted: February 20, 2026

Pay: NZ$25.00 - NZ$30.00 per hour

Job description:

Date posted: February 20, 2026

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Job description:

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Assistant Restaurant Managers to help lead operations at our popular Indian restaurant located in the vibrant heart of Milford, Auckland. These full-time, permanent position is ideal for hospitality professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments and take pride in delivering outstanding dining experiences.

About the Role

As an Assistant Restaurant Manager, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Restaurant Manager in the smooth day-to-day running of the business. You’ll assist in maintaining high standards of food quality, customer service, and operational efficiency while mentoring a diverse and energetic team. You will also contribute to building a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the warmth and authenticity of Indian hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Support the Restaurant Manager and business owner in planning, coordinating, and monitoring daily restaurant operations to ensure consistent quality and efficiency.
Collaborate with Chefs to plan seasonal and promotional menus, ensuring dishes remain true to traditional Indian flavours while appealing to a broad customer base.
Supervise and actively participate in front-of-house operations, including guest greetings, reservations, service flow, and complaint resolution.
Oversee stock management, cost control, and supplier relationships, ensure accurate ordering, inventory tracking, and waste minimisation within budgetary parameters.
Organise and coordinate special events, functions, and catering services in collaboration with the Restaurant Manager.
Maintain compliance with health, safety, and hygiene standards in accordance with New Zealand food regulations.
Recruit, train, roster, and coach staff members to foster a motivated and customer-focused team culture.
Review customer feedback and identify opportunities for service improvement.
Assist with administrative duties such as cash handling, daily reconciliation, and performance reporting.
Monitor Delivery App side of business, co-ordinate with the service providers to increase the sale.
Skills and Requirements

Minimum 4 year of relevant management or supervisory experience in a busy hospitality environment, or a relevant qualification in Hospitality Management or a related field.
Availability to work 30 – 35 hours per week on a 7-day roster, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and guide staff in a team-oriented environment.
Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities, capable of staying calm under pressure.
Solid understanding of food cost management, stock control, and basic financial reporting.
Genuine passion for Indian cuisine and hospitality, with an eye for detail and customer satisfaction.
A proactive, hands-on attitude and willingness to assist in all areas of service when required.
What We Offer

Competitive pay based on experience and performance.
A friendly, multicultural work environment with opportunities for career development and advancement.
The chance to contribute to restaurant's improvement with loyal customer followings and strong community ties.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents, or credentials to seek work visa in New Zealand.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Free food
Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person