There are many different ways to dry your clothes without using a dryer. Avoiding the dryer can be beneficial to your clothing since the tumble dry action in the dryer can actually damage garments in a number of ways.
One of the best ways to remove water from clothes without a dryer is to use the spin cycle function on your washing machine. The spin cycle will not leave your clothing completely dry, but it will come pretty close.
Rolling your clothes in an absorbent towel is another great way to dry your clothes. Rolling your clothes in a towel is a cost effective and practical way to dry clothes.
Another great way to dry clothes in to simply hang or lay them flat in a cool room with good air flow. Hang your clothes and place a fan in the room to decrease the amount of time needed to dry.
If you are in a tight spot (learn how long does a dryer take) any need your clothes dryed in a very shirt period of time, learn how to use a dryer properly. This wont stop any shrinking for sure, but it will give you the best chance with the situation you are in.
We provide you with 8 different methods that you can use at home to dry clothes without a dryer.
Table of Contents
How To Dry Clothes Without A Dryer
Always check your clothing’s care label and instructions before administering any type of care process. Many garments have special care requirements so always be sure to check the label first.
While checking the care label you may be curious what some of the symbols or names mean. Use these articles to help.
1. Spin dry clothes in the washing machine
Total Time: 20 min
Cost: $0
Use the spin cycle function on the washing machine to remove excess water from the fabric of your clothes, this will take on average 20 minutes.
The washing machine spin cycle will not get your clothes completely dry, however it will remove quite a bit of moisture, and will greatly help to speed up the drying process. You will still need to hang dry your clothes once done spin drying.
If you do not have access to a washing machine, try using a salad spinner to help dry clothes.
2. Hang dry the clothes
Total Time: 2 hrs
Cost: $0
Hang dry clothes on a drying rack, line dry, or in the closet. Hang drying clothes on average will take 2 hours.
You could really hang your clothes off of anything, such as the end of a tree branch, the back of a chair, or the side of an ironing board. You may also see this worded as dry flat.
To speed up the process of drying you may choose to open a window, place the clothes next to an air vent, or place a fan into the room to help increase the air circulation. Air flow is an important aspect of air drying, and a good air flow will help to reduce the time needed to dry clothes.
Hang your clothes flat and evenly to avoid creating wrinkles and creases while they air dry. Also be sure to shake out creases before you hang the clothes. If the clothes were crumpled in a wet ball, it is important that you flatten them as best you can before air drying.
3. Roll clothes in an absorbent towel
Total Time: 5 hrs
Cost: $0
Lay your clothes flat and evenly on a soft, absorbent towel. Gently roll the towel up (sushi roll style) and then take the ends of the towel and wring out the water from the garment.
Rolling your clothes will take at least 5 hrs, and it won’t be fully dry until you take the clothes out of the roll and hang dry for final 30-60 minutes.
If your garment is delicate, simply apply pressure to the top of the roll to remove excess water. Do not wring, twist, or pull delicate clothing made from fabrics such as linen, silk, or lace.
4. Use the oven carefully
Total Time: 30 min
Cost: $0
If you would like to dry a small piece of clothing such as underwear, a t-shirt, or a pair of socks, you may be able to use the oven to dry it. This will take around 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to around 100°F/38°C and place your garment onto a baking sheet on a pan. Once the oven has become fully heated, turn it off and place your garment inside. Monitor your garment to check its progress and make sure to flip it so you dry both sides.
Make sure your garment is not soaking wet when you place it in the oven. If you garment is soaking wet, try wringing it out or rolling it in a towel before you begin.
5. Use a heated air drying closet
Total Time: 60 min
Cost: $0
The heated air drying closet has recently become a popular item due to its usefulness as well as its increased affordability. Heated air dryers are a very gentle way to air dry your clothes because you will not need to use a tumble dryer anymore. Simply hang your clothes in the heated drying closet, and run the machine. On average it will take you 60 minutes.
You will still need to rotate your clothes periodically in order for them to dry as quickly as possible.
Be sure to measure the space you have available in your bedroom or laundry room before you purchase a heated air drying closet. Heated drying closets take up a fair bit of space, so make sure you measure the room first and match it to the dimensions on the model you wish to buy.
6. Use a blow dryer on the clothes
Total Time: 30 min
Cost: $0
Blow dryers are a simple way to dry your clothes, especially if you only want to dry a specific area. The average time it will take on a full piece of clothing will be 30-45 minutes. Most households have a blow dryer, which makes this method a very convenient and reliable way to dry your clothes.
Check the item’s care label before using the blow dryer. Some fabrics, such as polyester (can you shrink polyester) and wool, will have a reaction if they are placed in a high heat environment.
7. Use a towel and iron
Total Time: 25 min
Cost: $0
Use the heat from an iron to remove moisture from clothes by laying the garment flat, and placing a thin cotton towel or pressing cloth over top of it. Depending on the clothing garment, the average time to dry is 25 minutes.
Turn the iron on to a medium heat setting, and begin to hand press the garment until the moisture is removed. If the towel on top of the garment becomes too moist, proceed to remove it, replace it, and continue. This method will not leave your clothes completely dry, however it does have the ability to remove a fair bit of moisture.
Do not leave the iron on one spot too long, as this could lead to the occurrence of burning. Press the iron down briefly, then lift, adjust, and repeat.
8. Use the suns rays
Total Time: 90 min
Cost: $0
If it’s currently summer time, or if you live in a hot climate, try using nature’s drying machine to dry your clothes. Hang or lay your clothes in the sun, and watch the moisture disappear from your clothes in a matter of hours. Depending on the heat and humidity you are in, the clothing should be dry between 90-120 minutes.
Do not dry colored clothes in the sun for too long. Colored clothes may see their colors fade if they are dried in the sun. White clothes on the other hand, benefit from being in the sun. Drying white colored clothes in the sun will help to refresh, renew, and brighten the garment.
FAQ
Dry clothes without a dryer by air drying, hang drying, using a blow dryer, placing in a heated air drying closet, line drying in the sun, rolling in a towel, or placing in front of a fan.
Air dry clothes inside by hanging, laying flat, using a fan, or by placing them into a heated air drying closet. If your clothes are dark colors, be sure to keep them out of contact with direct sunlight while drying inside.
The fastest way to dry clothes is by using a tumble dryer. If you do not have access to a dryer, you can line dry your clothes in the sun, or use an indoor heated air drying closet, to quickly dry your clothes at home.
Wring out excess water and moisture from your clothes by rolling up your garment, grabbing each side with one hand, and twisting. Try rolling your clothing in a soft, absorbent towel before you wring it out, to remove even more moisture from your wet garment.
