Quick Tips For Drying Laundry

• If you’re in a rush for a load of laundry to dry–try tossing a clean, thick cotton towel in the dryer with the wet clothes. Because the towel is dry, it will absorb some of the moisture and clothes will dry faster. If it’s a large load of laundry, throw in two or three towels.
• If clothes have been left in the dryer too long and are wrinkled, toss in a clean, wet towel (not dripping wet–wring out excess water first) and turn the dryer on for 15 minute intervals until wrinkles are no longer a problem.
• Drying knits, sweaters and denims inside out can help prevent fading as well as pills developing on the clothes (especially helps with knits and t-shirts). If a garment is pilling, try firmly brushing a pumice stone across the garment to remove the pills.
• When drying feather pillows or down duvets in the dryer, throw in a few clean tennis balls towards the last 30 minutes or so of the drying cycle. This helps fluff and beat the pillows as well as circulate the air better while trying to dry the feathers.
• Save money on dryer sheets by making Wool Dryer Balls. The balls will cut your drying time yet leave clothes soft, fluffy and static free without the use of chemicals or dryer sheets. Based on the old “tennis ball in the dryer” trick, but without the tennis balls! See this post for how to make them: How To Make Wool Dryer Balls.
• Fresh and fragrant laundry can be achieved chemical free with easy to make lavender dryer bags. Using lavender buds gives the benefit of a natural moth repellent, sleep aid and a natural antibacterial. You can add about 1/2 cup vinegar in your rinse cycle for static cling help and skip the dryer sheets. See this tip for more info: Homemade Herbal Lavender Dryer Bags.
• If you have a problem with lint or fluff on freshly dried clothes, it could be that your dryer load size is too big or you’re not emptying the dryer lint trap as needed. See 5 Laundry Bloopers & Fixes for more tips.
• Increase the efficiency of your dryer by giving the lint trap a quick wash. See Did You Know: Wash Your Dryer’s Lint Trap for more info.

Also see Clothes Dryer Safety Tips.

*Originally published January 25, 2007…updated with more info

Don't Miss These Tips:

• 5 Laundry Bloopers & Fixes
• 10 Laundry Boosters Using Vinegar
• Did You Know: Wash Your Dryer’s Lint Trap