How can I dry my clothes in Europe without a dryer?

Author: Prof. Durward Gorczany  |  Last update: Thursday, March 13, 2025

Hang clothes in a low-profile, nondestructive way. Suspend them over the bathtub or in a closet. Housekeeping hardly notices my laundry, as it's either hanging quietly in the bathroom or shuffled among my dry clothes in the closet. Separate the back and front of hanging clothes to speed drying time.

How to dry laundry in Europe?

Here are some tips for air-drying clothes in Europe:
  1. Choose a well-ventilated area: Find a spot with good airflow, like a balcony or a room with open windows. ...
  2. Use a drying rack: A drying rack is essential for air-drying clothes. ...
  3. Hang clothes properly: Hang clothes properly to allow for maximum air circulation.

How do you dry clothes overseas?

A portable clothes rack is the next best thing to line drying. Since most of these are designed to be folded up and stowed away, look for one made of sturdy but lightweight materials so it's easy to manoeuvre but isn't flimsy. It also needs to be waterproof, so steel, aluminium or sealed woods are ideal.

How do you dry clothes in a hotel without a dryer?

Try using a hair dryer to remove some of the moisture and then hang your clothes to dry (do not hang damp clothing on a wooden hanger or it will stain). I find an ironing board works pretty well, as does the shower curtain rod.

How do people in Spain dry their clothes?

In Spain, it is a different story. If you walk through any neighborhood in Spain, you will almost certainly see clotheslines crisscrossing between the buildings, carrying clothes blowing in the wind. Instead of relying on a machine to dry their clothes, Spaniards take advantage of the hot sun and dry climate.

How to dry clothes fast without a dryer

How do Europeans dry their clothes without a dryer?

While a lot of Europeans have washers in home, many do not have dryers. Instead, you'll notice many use clothes lines or drying racks to get the job done.

How do people in Italy dry their clothes?

In Italy, hanging laundry to air-dry outside is the norm.

How can I dry my clothes in 5 minutes without a dryer?

Without a Dryer
  1. Wring your clothing out before drying. Hold a garment firmly in both hands. ...
  2. Roll the clothing into a towel to absorb the water. ...
  3. Try salad spinning your clothes. ...
  4. Use an iron and a towel. ...
  5. Dry individual garments with a hair dryer. ...
  6. Use a clothesline or drying rack.

How can I dry down without a dryer?

Drying your down jacket

Once the wash is complete, carefully remove your down jacket — it'll be heavy — and lay flat to dry on a clothing rack. It'll take around 24–48 hours to drip dry depending on the weather conditions. As it dries, keep giving it the occasional fluff, particularly around any wet clumps of down.

Can you dry clothes indoors without a dryer?

Use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air and speed up drying time. Use an external source of wind, such as a table or room fan, to help circulate air and dry your clothes faster. Towel dry your clothes before hanging them to air-dry to remove as much moisture as possible.

How do Scandinavians dry their clothes?

Drying cabinets are common in Scandinavia, where the climate often requires that you can dry all types of clothes quickly, even coarse outerwear and shoes. A drying cabinet is practical but also gentle on your most sensitive fabrics.

How do people in cold countries dry their clothes?

In winter, you can make the most of sunlight exposure by placing your drying rack near a window or another source of direct sunlight. This way, the sun's rays can help evaporate the water in your wet clothes, speeding up the drying process.

How do you dry clothes fast while traveling?

Using a packtowel helps you dry your clothes faster. A packtowel is a small towel made up of a chamois or microfiber material. The packtowels ability to absorb up to 7 times its weight and quickly dry makes it quite useful for the traveler.

How do people dry clothes in France?

Air Dry (Don't Machine-Dry) Delicate Clothing

Instead, in an apartment, her mother-in-law would hoist clothes on a drying rack up to the ceiling, or in nice weather, on a clothesline outside. Not only is the dryer a waste of electricity and money, but it wreaks havoc on clothing.

How do people dry their clothes in Portugal?

This last one is ubiquitous in Portugal – with give-or-take 300-days of yearly sunshine, often breezy conditions and pricey electricity (but not anywhere close to the cost in the U.S.), it's no wonder most every apartment and other dwellings have a version of a clothesline… or a rack that attaches to the outside of a ...

How to wash clothes while travelling in Europe?

Option 1: Wash Your Clothes by Hand

In a pinch, you can stopper your hotel sink and use shampoo. For budget-conscious travelers that want a machine-like clean, consider packing a large waterproof dry bag and a couple of single-serving laundry detergent packets.

How to dry clothes without a dryer in a hotel?

Lay a towel flat and place the item on top. Roll the towel up tight, making multiple layers of clothing, towel, clothing, towel. Wring the towel well, working your way up and down. A lot of the water will transfer from the clothes to the towel.

How do you tumble dry without a dryer?

After washing your clothes, put them on the highest spin cycle possible for a quick spin to get the most moisture out of the clothes and then hang them up in a bright room on a drying rack. If you can open the windows or get a fan blowing in the room for additional airflow, that would be great.

Where is the best place to dry clothes indoors?

When you're drying clothes indoors, try to position your washing near an open window or somewhere with good airflow. Avoid layering too many clothes on top of one another as this can delay the drying process.

What is the quickest way to dry clothes indoors?

Using Dehumidifier When Drying Clothes Indoors

The best and most effective way to control humidity indoors is by using a dehumidifier which can help dry clothes faster. In an ideal setting, a powerful dehumidifier can dry your clothes perfectly in less than 4 hours, almost comparable to heat pump dryers!

Can you dry clothes with an air conditioner?

Quick drying times: Air conditioners can provide quick drying times as the moisture is removed from the air rapidly. Reduction of moisture inside the house – this can greatly improve comfort levels in your house and reduce the chance of damp or mould building up when drying clothes inside.

Can I use a hairdryer to dry clothes?

If you want to dry individual clothes quickly for the next day, you can also blow-dry them or put them on the radiator. Since hair dryers and heating consume a lot of electricity, these methods are not suitable for whole loads of laundry, but only for individual items.

Can tourists wear jeans in Italy?

Jeans are always accepted these days but a nice quality pair and a nice top can be very acceptable for everyone.

How do Spaniards dry their clothes?

DRYING clothes in the summer in Spain couldn't be easier with abundant sunshine and rooftops to hang clothes on, but what happens in the winter. Today we're sharing some top tips and tricks to help you dry clothes indoors. The most effective drying racks are stand-alone models or ones that can be mounted onto a wall.

How do Japanese dry clothes?

Laundry Day in Japan

It's common practice for people to hang their laundry outside to dry, but they don't leave their clothes outside overnight.

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