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How to dry clothes fast without a dryer

Want to dry your clothes quickly without a dryer? You’re in the right place. Read on to discover the quickest ways to dry clothes without a dryer.

Updated

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Written by Eunice Samson

How to dry clothes without a dryer

While some of us are lucky enough to have tumble dryers, it's good to remember that if you’re trying to save energy at home, these machines tend to use a lot of electricity. So whether you want to save energy, or you don’t own a dryer and want to learn how to dry clothes instantly, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we'll walk you through our top tips for how to air dry clothes fast without needing a dryer.

Never overfill your washing machine as your clothes won't wash properly – making it harder for them to dry fast.

How to dry clothes quickly with a dry towel

First and foremost, when learning how to get clothes to dry faster without a dryer, it’s important that your clothes are properly cleaned, so that when they do dry, they smell great. Using a good quality detergent, such as Surf, will help your clothes stay in shape and smell fresh. This is particularly important to prevent any damp smell if you're drying your clothes indoors on a humid day.

  1. Wrap your clothes in a dry, clean towel and roll them into a sausage to wring out excess moisture. Repeat with a second towel if needed.

  2. Have an iron at hand, as the toweling process of drying clothes off will leave them very creased!

  3. To speed up the drying process you can also iron your wet clothes under a dry towel. This will also help get the creases out (this is a great method for how to dry pants quickly, as the fabric is often thicker).

However, it's important to remember to:

  • Always use clean and dry towels.

  • Ask for help, if you need, since two people will be able to put more force into wringing out the clothes.

How to dry clothes instantly with the hairdryer

If you’re in a hurry, have no time to spare and really need that white shirt that just came out of the laundry, then your hairdryer will be your best bet as the quickest way to dry clothes without a dryer:

  1. Hang your clothes on a coat hanger before drying them.

  2. Move your hairdryer across the surface of your clothes and dry them inside and out, front and back.

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When using a hairdryer to dry your clothes:

  • Don’t use a high heat, as this could damage the fibers and cause the clothing to shrink.

  • Don't keep the hairdryer on any one point for too long, as this could damage the fabric.

For small items, such as socks and underwear, you could try using a salad spinner – the motion imitates that of a tumble dryer.Β 

Tips to dry clothes fast

You now know how to dry clothes without a dryer. But there’s more! Check out these alternative ways to help dry clothes quickly without dryer machines:

  • Don’t overfill your washing machine, as your clothes won't wash properly and will need to be done again – taking longer to dry in the process!

  • Put your laundry through an extra rinse and spin cycle in the washing machine.

  • Wring your clothes out before drying; this could leave your clothes with extra creases, so be prepared to iron them once they are dry.

There you have it: be savvy and dry with these tips on how to get clothes to dry faster without a dryer.

Do you want to learn which household cleaning tasks cause the most stress?Β  Then read our Heated Household data analysis.Β 

Frequently asked questions on how to dry clothes without a dryer

Does high heat always dry clothes faster?

If you’re wondering does high heat dry clothes faster, the answer is yes – but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Drying at a high heat may be fast, but it isn’t always the best option for your clothing or your dryer. Always check the care label before choosing the heat setting you use.

How do you iron clothes without electricity?

There are a couple of simple options for how to iron clothes without electricity. First, why not try a wrinkle release spray – designed to straighten out those wrinkles in no time. Alternatively, you could heat a pot and use it to press your clothes, or simply place them under heavy objects such as your mattress or even a pile of books. Steaming out wrinkles by hanging clothes in the bathroom when you shower can also work.

Is using a fan to dry clothes a viable alternative?

Using a fan to dry clothes could be a great alternative to using a dryer as it helps move moisture into the air and away from your clothing. It works in the same way as hanging your laundry outside in a breeze.

Which places in the house will my clothes dry fastest?

If you are hanging your clothes indoors, the best place to dry clothes is in a room with low humidity. Encourage air to flow through the room by opening a door or window.

How do you dry clothes properly on a radiator?

The most important step for how to dry clothes properly on a radiator is to ensure that you are not hanging them directly on the radiator. Instead, hang them above the radiator or on a drying shelf next to the radiator. This will allow for them to have proper ventilation whilst they are drying which will prevent your clothing from smelling.

Originally published