The best method for drying your clothes depends on various factors. For delicate items or those prone to shrinkage, air-drying is generally recommended. For quick drying and convenience, a tumble dryer is often the preferred option. A combination of both methods can also be effective.
While fresh-smelling laundry is one reason to consider air drying outdoors, experts say there are a host of other benefits to using your dryer less, including saving energy and maintaining the quality of clothes, linens and towels.
Warm, dry air is best for drying clothes, because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. This is why we often get rain wen a cold front sweeps in. When drying clothes, a breeze is useful, but not essential. On a sunny day with a light breeze.
Yes, air drying is better for your clothes. Air drying is gentle on fabrics and helps maintain the quality of garments while also reducing wear and tear. It also saves energy and money, not to mention, air drying is also better for your health and the environment.
Air drying clothes is more environmentally friendly, saves money, reduces wrinkles and creases, and increases the lifespan of your clothes. However, air-drying clothes is dependent on the weather, takes more time and requires a little more effort. Tumble drying your clothes is quick and requires minimal effort.
Line drying or clothes rack drying will always be the more sustainable and cost-effective way of drying your clothes. Energy Saving Trust says that avoiding the use of your tumble dryer could potentially save you money each year.
Clothes often smell damp and musty after drying due to excessive moisture in the air, which can cause mould and mildew buildup.
Most surfaces in your bathroom are waterproof, so that's a good place to start air-drying clothes. Here are additional tips for drying clothes indoors: Air-dry clothes on a rod or lay them flat on a drying rack when air-drying garments inside the home. Keep garments separated to allow air circulation and faster drying.
Hang your jeans up to air dry or use a no heat cycle
Exposing your jeans to direct heat in the dryer can shrink, fade or yellow denim, and it can also cause damage to stretch denim fabrics that contain spandex or Lycra.
Air needs to circulate around items to whisk away moisture and ensure a quality, even dry. Leave an inch between garments to allow faster drying. Indoors, place clothes near an air vent, extractor fan, heat source or dehumidifier to speed up the process.
Because air-drying towels causes less wear and tear on the material than tumble-drying, it can help towels last longer. Air-drying towels outdoors in bright sunlight can help bleach white towels. Keep in mind that dark or colored towels should be air-dried in the shade to avoid fading.
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.
Machine drying is the quickest and most intense method for drying wet items. It is important to note that most damage occurs in the dryer rather than in the washing machine. To best preserve fibers and to save energy, air dry whenever possible.
Hung outside, the ultraviolet light from the sun kills bacteria effectively in your laundry. Plus, clothes dried in the sun produce a range of aldehydes and ketones; organic compounds that our noses associate with the scent of plants or perfumes.
Air-drying also offers the following key benefits: Prevents scalp dryness, itchiness and inflammation—a major plus for people who are prone to dandruff or scalp sensitivity. Protects the outer layer (or cuticle) of each hair strand and keeps it free of rough edges, making your hair look and feel smoother and shinier.
Consider a dehumidifier
Or if you have an air purifier, check to see if it has a dehumidifier function; many do. “By reducing excess moisture in the air, these devices help clothes dry faster and prevent musty odors,” explains Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning.
Use a portable drying rack/clothes airer that you can move around your garden to follow the sunshine or make the most of the wind. Rotating your clothes can help them dry more evenly. Maximise the surface area exposed to the wind and sun, and hang clothes so the thickest parts are at the top.
Clothes can dry indoors in winter, but it can affect air quality, humidity and lead to mould.
Air drying clothes indoors can lead to several health risks like raised humidity levels that lead to mold or mildew growth. This can irritate asthma or allergies, and cause several breathing issues.
Sun vs. Shade Drying: While the sun can help disinfect and remove stains, some delicate fabrics benefit from shaded drying to prevent damage. Timing and Weather Considerations: Pay attention to the weather forecast, and avoid leaving clothes out during rain or strong winds.
There can be many reasons why your laundry isn't smelling fresh. Musty odours can result from various factors, including insufficient drying, overloading the washing machine, or using too little detergent.
On the downside, machine-drying can be harsh on fabrics, leading to shrinkage, fading, and increased wear and tear. It's also an energy-intensive process, contributing to higher utility bills and a larger carbon footprint.
Appliances account for 13.6% of your total household energy use and cost. Skipping the dryer, especially during spring, summer and fall, helps keep that money in your pocket. The sun is an efficient clothes dryer and clothes will dry outside even on breezy partly sunny days.
Once the wash cycle has run its course, remove your wet garments from the washing machine immediately to prevent the formation of wrinkles and foul-smelling mildew on your clothes. Either line-dry your items outside, lay them on a flat surface, or place them in the dryer.