Here's the Trick to Drying Your Clothes Quicker With Your Washing Machine

Drying clothes quickly, without a dryer or a well ventilated room, even in humid weather, is possible! All you need is a simple trick using your washing machine.

While doing laundry can be a chore, drying clothes can be even more frustrating, especially when space is limited, the weather is cold and rainy, or you're in a hurry. There's nothing worse than dealing with damp, musty smelling clothes.

Ideally, clothes should be dried in the open air. Not only does this help remove moisture and odors, but it's also much more eco friendly and economical, as it doesn't consume electricity, a factor not to be overlooked. However, air drying isn't always easy, particularly if you live in a small apartment. And not everyone has a dryer, which is a rather energy intensive appliance!

Of course, there are several tips to optimize drying. For example, you can place your drying rack near a radiator or a fan to speed up the process, or roll your clothes in a dry towel and press firmly to squeeze out as much water as possible. If the weather is pleasant, placing your laundry near an open window can help. For those in a rush, a quick blast from a hairdryer can also save the day, drying a garment that needs to be worn immediately.

But there's a clever trick to speed up drying directly with your washing machine, without using a dryer. The method is incredibly simple: just add a dry, thick towel to the drum with your damp clothes, then run a high spin cycle (ideally 1200 to 1400 RPM, depending on your washing machine's settings). The towel will absorb a significant amount of residual moisture while helping the drum extract water. By combining this absorption with the fast drum rotation, your clothes come out much drier, reducing the time needed for air drying.

This technique is especially effective for thick and bulky textiles like towels, sweaters, and jeans, which typically take longer to dry. To get the best results, avoid overloading the drum so the towel can do its job. After the cycle, simply hang your clothes, and you'll notice they dry much faster on your line or drying rack. In winter or humid weather, this tip is particularly useful to prevent bad odors caused by prolonged drying times.