How long should a dryer take to dry a load of towels?

Author: Abbey Olson  |  Last update: Monday, February 9, 2026

How Long Do Dryers Take? Typically, a gas or electric dryer should take about 30 to 45 minutes to dry a full load of clothes. Dense fabrics—like a quilt or a load of thick bath towels—may take up to an hour to dry.

Why does my dryer take so long to dry towels?

There can be multiple reasons. Dryer vent is too long or clogged. Not heating correctly, or clogged lint filter / blower housing. Wrong heat temperature selected. Load is too large for the dryer.

How long should towels take to dry in a dryer?

The average drying cycle is between 30 to 45 minutes, but it can extend to an hour (or longer) if you are drying a larger load, such as bedding or thicker fabrics, such as towels. On the other hand, more delicate fabrics will take as little as 15 minutes to dry, as any longer risks damaging them.

Why are my towels still wet after dryer?

It could be that your towels aren't drying properly after each use. Either you're not spreading the towel out to dry efficiently, or your bathroom has a ventilation issue (no fan/window).

What is the best dryer cycle for towels?

Generally, they should be dried on low to medium heat. Use a dryer setting specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle. High heat and overdrying can cause fabric damage, so be sure to remove the towels promptly once they're dry.

How long do wet clothes take to dry in dryer?

How to get towels to dry faster?

For the shortest drying time, opt for a towel bar instead of hooks, and hang one towel spread out across the length of the bar. The more surface area exposed to the air, the faster a towel will dry—and the less likely it is to mildew or smell. If you must use a robe hook, hang only one towel per hook.

What cycle should you use for towels?

Which wash cycle should you use? The most suitable program depends on the fabric of your towels. Most towels are made of cotton, so use the cotton program* and set the wash temperature to at least 40 degrees: 60° is ideal for white towels.

Can I run the dryer twice?

Using a wash setting with no spin cycle or with an insufficient one means that the clothes that enter the dryer will be too wet for a single drying cycle and running more than a drying cycle could lead to damage your garments.

How do you keep towels fluffy in the dryer?

Avoid placing directly into a hot dryer as this may damage the fibres. Instead, drying at a cool temperature will help the towels last longer. To keep your towels soft, skip using dryer sheets. They contain oils similar to those found in fabric softeners and can result in hardness.

Is it better to dry one large load or two small loads?

Just as with washing clothes, drying a full load of clothes is much more energy efficient than only drying half a load or less. 16. Dry towels and heavy cottons separately. When mixed with fast-drying lighter-weight items, these slow-drying items cause the whole load to take longer and use more energy.

Do older towels take longer to dry?

New towels absorb better.

New towel fibers are better at absorbing moisture. They'll make users feel more comfortable and will help people dry off quickly and easily compared to old towels.

Can you stop a dryer mid-cycle?

It is not recommended to stop the drying course during operation. If there are no urgent reasons to do so, it is recommended to allow proceed until the course to finish. To stop the drying course before the cycle is finished, press the power switch to turn the dryer off.

Why does my dryer take 2 hours to dry?

There are a few common reasons why your dryer doesn't dry clothes. Some of the most common reasons include overloading the dryer, power sources issues, clothes being too wet, a dirty dryer lint screen, clogged dryer vents, or possible part malfunctions.

How do you know if your dryer vent is clogged?

Signs You Need to Clean Your Dryer Vent

There's a burning smell while the dryer is running. Lint buildup is visible around the dryer's lint trap or vent opening. The lint trap doesn't capture as much lint as it used to. Excessive lint accumulation on clothing after drying.

How long should it take to dry a large load of towels?

For example, drying a small load of light fabrics on a Delicate or Low setting can take as little as 15 minutes. Drying a large load of towels and blankets can take up to three hours.

How do hotels get their towels fluffy?

Without a tumble dryer, hotels might use drying racks in well-ventilated areas. They sometimes add vinegar to the final rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener. Gentle manual fluffing of the towels once they are dry is also common to preserve their fluffiness.

Why are my towels still wet in the dryer?

If your dryer seems to be getting slower, the first thing to check is the lint filter. If it's full, the dryer can't get enough air, and the towels stay wet for longer.

Why does vinegar make towels fluffy?

The vinegar will break down mineral buildup and soap residue that can contribute to fabric stiffness. Extra Rinse: After the vinegar cycle is complete, run an additional rinse cycle to ensure any remaining vinegar is thoroughly washed out.

Should you let your dryer cool down between loads?

Let The Machine Rest After Each Load

Running the machine consecutively for more than one load can overheat the mechanism and damage the machine. The dryer needs time to cool down. You should ideally keep a minimum duration of at least 30 minutes between cycles.

How to tell if a dryer is overloaded?

Signs that you have too many items in the dryer include:
  1. The dryer shuts off after a few minutes of operation.
  2. The dryer cycle takes longer than usual.
  3. The dryer takes multiple cycles to dry a single load.
  4. The usual timed dryer cycle completes, but the clothes are still damp.
  5. There is excess lint in the lint screen.

What happens if you leave dryer on too long?

Even electric dryers can catch fire. The main cause of electric dryer fires is overheating. If you use your dryer for too long, or if you leave the door open while drying clothes, then you could end up with a fire. Electric dryers catch fire often because they are designed to heat up quickly, so they overheat easily.

What is the best dryer setting for towels?

It's best to dry your towels on a medium heat setting, with no more than two towels per dryer load. This will help prevent them from shrinking or melting together.

Is a 30 minute wash enough?

In some instances, yes. However, a 30-minute wash is enough for your clothes depends on a few factors: Soil Level: Heavily soiled clothes from exercise, outdoor work, or greasy messes likely won't get fully clean in a 30-minute cycle. These clothes require a longer, more thorough wash at a higher temperature.

How often should I wash towels?

A good rule of thumb is to wash bath towels and hand towels after three to four uses, says Mary Gagliardi (aka "Dr. Laundry"), Clorox's in-house scientist and cleaning expert.

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