Drying laundry in winter: cheap and easy methods and alternatives to the tumble dryer

Drying your laundry in the warm months is quick and easy. Just hang it outside and you can wear your favorite t-shirt again in an hour. But the closer winter gets and the thicker the sweaters and pants get, the more you regret not buying the tumble dryer. Are you looking for alternative methods thatto dry laundry? Many families who would like to do without a tumble dryer are faced with the question of whether this would be possible during the cold and wet months. Our tips will help you dry your laundry quickly and cheaply in winter and also save energy.

Can you dry laundry outside in winter?

At first glance, it may seem like you need a tumble dryer to have a chance of getting your laundry dry in the colder months. In fact, it is not difficult to organize laundry drying using “manual” methods indoors and even outdoors.

Use the fastest spin program on your machine

If you use the fastest spin cycle, you will shorten the drying time of your clothes. You can spin the laundry a second time to remove excess water.

Before setting the control for a super-fast spin cycle, be sure to check the care label on your clothing to make sure such treatment is appropriate.

Hang outside to dry

It is difficult to dry laundry outside when it is raining or snowing. High humidity significantly increases the overall drying time. But in many cases, a cold, dry winter day can dry clothes faster than the warm, humid days of summer.

Solar radiation is important for drying clothes because it provides a free source of energy to evaporate the water in clothes. While warmer air temperatures can help with drying, sunlight is the most effective way to evaporate water whenyour laundryhang to dry.

The wind is another essential element for effective laundry drying as it blows the moist air around your clothes. In contrast, on calm and windless days, the moist air around your clothes becomes saturated and takes much longer to dry.

Tip: It may seem difficult to dry laundry outside in the colder months, but if you give it enough time, it will dry!

Drying laundry in winter: Hang indoors

Laundry takes longer to dry indoors and canannoying musty smellsespecially in small rooms and those with carpeted floors. Follow our safe guide on the best way to dry your laundry indoors. It is guaranteed to take the freshness of your laundry to the next level and say goodbye to unpleasant odors and mold that can lead to re-washing.

Use a drying rack

On wet days it is much easier to hang laundry on a drying rack indoors. This method is free and does not use any energy. Just don't forget to find the sunniest part of the largest room in your house or place it near a radiator. This maximizes the amount of heat the clothing receives while allowing the greatest airflow.

Avoid the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as: B. in your bedroom to reduce the risk of moisture and mold.

Leave the windows open for more ventilation and fresh air in your home. The fresh air can prevent moisture damage and create a more pleasant, fresh indoor climate. That's why it's so important to air out even more on days when damp laundry is drying indoors.

Spread your laundry out evenly

Take the time to hang your laundry and make sure it has plenty of space so it gets plenty of air to dry. Clothes that are bunched up or overlapping will have trouble drying.

Make sure thicker items like jeans have room so the sides don't touch when hung over a pole.

Dry laundry in winter with indoor retractable clotheslines

Most people don't want to put a permanent drying rack in the middle of their living room during the winter months. Retractable clotheslines, on the other hand, offer plenty of drying space and can be retracted and stored away when not in use.

What is the fastest way to dry laundry?

Have you ever rushed to an important meeting only to find that the blouse that best matches your outfit is still wet? Don't worry and don't spoil your good mood. There are some proven and simple ways to quickly deal with the situation.

  • How to Dry Clothes Quickly with a Towel: There is a secret weapon if you want to know how to dry clothes quickly. Towels absorb moisture excellently. Instead of drying your body, you pull the moisture out of your clothing. Simply place the clothing on a dry towel and then roll it up into a sausage shape.
  • Dry clothes quickly with a hairdryer: Depending on what you're drying, you may want to hang it on a hanger. Move your hairdryer over the surface of your clothing, being careful not to linger in one spot for too long or damage the fabric.
  • How to dry clothes with a salad spinner: Try putting smaller items of clothing like socks in a salad spinner and giving them a bold spin. The rotating motion mimics the action of a clothes dryer and throws the water out of the clothes.