Clothes will dry at almost any temperature, even below freezing, as long as the relative humidity of the surrounding air is below 100% and there is sufficient airflow. Evaporation still occurs as long as the air isn't saturated.
But as long as the air is dry enough, water will slowly evaporate (or ice will sublime) even if the temperature is below freezing. In fact, clothes will dry faster on a cold and dry day than on a warm and humid day, especially if they are in direct sunlight.
Continuous mechanical extract ventilation will ensure the humidity of the air is optimal (between 40-60% Relative Humidity) even if drying clothes indoors.
Clothes can dry outdoors at any temperature if conditions are right: sunshine, wind, and low humidity are key. Even in winter, a cold, dry, sunny day with a breeze can dry your laundry—just expect it to take longer than in summer.
Your clothes will also smell fresher for longer.” If it's a foggy day, washing shouldn't go out at all If it's too windy – the washing isn't going out! It has to be over 15 degrees for washing to dry on the line “Washed clothes still have tiny molecules of water on them.
Households should dry clothes outside for 4 hours in spring. Households have been advised to dry their clothes outside during a four-hour slot in the spring.
If you live in a colder climate, water coming out of your tap can be less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. That's too cold for most laundry detergents to be effective, so to get your clothes clean, it's better to bump up to warm water for optimal efficiency.
Choosing the right wash temperature depends on the fabric and how soiled the items are. Use 30°C for delicate fabrics, 40°C for cottons and everyday wear, 60°C for towels and bedding, and 90°C for heavily soiled whites. Always check care labels for specific guidance.
For the best results, aim to dry your clothes outside between 10am and 4pm, making the most of exposure to the strongest sun to prevent dampness. It is also good to note that drying laundry between 12pm and 4pm can help reduce the amount of pollen that settles on fabrics.
Instead, most Amish families rely on clotheslines in the summer — and they still work in the winter, Williams said. According to appliance company Speed Queen, "Drying on a line in winter is actually a form of freeze-drying thanks to sublimation — or ice evaporating from a solid state.
Get a digital hygrometer or a smart thermostat with humidity tracking. These can help you fine-tune your home's humidity and identify problem areas. Aim for 30–40% RH in winter to stay in the safe zone between “dry air discomfort” and “weeping windows.”
'Removing clothes within 30 minutes (or even sooner) is a good habit to get into, as it helps prevent that stale odour from forming. Leaving damp laundry in the machine for several hours can undo lots of the freshness you've just achieved with detergent and fabric softener, meaning you may need to rewash the load. '
In Japan, it is common to do laundry every day for couples or families. Single people typically do laundry 1 to 3 times a week. A family with small children will sometimes do it more than 2-3 times a day.
On average, a standard dryer cycle takes about 30 to 45 minutes for a regular load of mixed fabrics. Lightweight items can finish in 20-30 minutes, while heavier loads might need 60-90 minutes. Machine drying is faster and more predictable, while outdoor or indoor air-drying requires patience and the right conditions.
Nighttime humidity can prevent proper drying and cause unpleasant odors to permeate the laundry. The moon is said to have a bleaching effect that can discolor and damage fabrics. Laundry can also collect dust or be exposed to morning dew.
You want low humidity, a breeze and high temperatures. But one of those three should be sufficient. As an example, if it's less than 60% humidity and 5c (not sure how common that is on this fair isle) then your clothes will dry. If humidity is above 80% and it's 20c, they'll probably struggle.
These are usually in the late afternoon and early evening when energy demand is highest. To save money, aim to run your washing machine and dryer outside these hours. Ideally, the best time to do laundry to save energy is either early in the morning or late at night.
Outdoor drying takes 1 to 6 hours, depending on wind, temperature and sunlight.
Most people (dryer owners or not) dry their clothes on the washing line for most of the year. If it's really wet weather we use a clothes airer in our boiler room.
There is a misconception that you must wash clothes on the highest setting possible to kill bacteria, but it is proven that 60°C is adequate. If you are only washing lightly soiled clothing then you will not need to use hot temperatures.
40 degrees is actually a very warm temperature perfectly suited to cleaning your clothes without being so hot as to put certain fabrics at risk. If you want an energy-efficient clean, then 40 degrees could be the perfect temperature for you.
Helping your clothes stay vibrant and last longer - Washing with a warm water temperature − on cycles at 40°C or higher – is more suitable for heavy soiling, but can come with a few downsides such as colours fading and shrinking fabrics. Washing at 30 degrees can help keep your colours vibrant an minimise shrinking.
Washing on cold temperatures
Your washing machine will have the option to wash on cold water, which can be as low as 20°C, but most machines set their cold water settings on 30°C.
Turns out washing on cold is pretty cool ❄️ Not only does it save you energy and money, but with our new cold wash formula, it still gets your clothes fresh and clean – no sweat!
The short answer is yes, but it can take up to 12 hours to dry clothes outside in the winter.