How to dry clothes

In summer it’s great to be able to dry your laundry in the open air rather than in the dryer. In good weather, clothes dry quickly outdoors, and in terms of energy efficiency, drying your washing outside on the line is unbeatable! it is also gentler on the textiles than a dryer. However, a shady place is essential to protect the laundry from direct sunlight. A covered terrace or balcony is ideal, alternatively you can protect your laundry with a parasol. Pollen allergy sufferers should dry their laundry indoors to prevent pollen sticking to the clothes. If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to think about steps you can take before the clothes come out of the washing machine.

A dryer is especially useful when there is not enough space or outdoor area to dry your laundry, as a well-ventilated area is a must when doing so. Other benefits of a dryer include wrinkle protection and softness, as the constant rotation and ventilation in the drum loosens the fibres of your clothes. For delicate textiles and very soft fabrics, it's better to choose a light laundry drying program and then hang the clothes on the clothes rack for a short time as this is much gentler on the fibres than taking them out of the dryer "bone dry".

Before you start thinking about how to hang laundry out to dry properly, it’s important to know that you lay the foundation right from the start with your choice of washing program. After all, a good spin helps to get rid of excess moisture - the less water left in the laundry, the faster it dries. Make sure to always follow the instructions on the care label.

These laundry drying ideas and tips will also help you to dry your clothes properly:

• Prevent odours: Take the laundry out of the machine immediately after washing -
• this will help to avoid bad odours and prevent mildew from forming.
• Prevent fading: It is best not to hang your laundry out to dry in the blazing sun. The UV rays are intensified by the water in the damp clothes - this can lead to unsightly discoloration or cause colours to fade. Be patient with bed linen and sheets. Direct sunlight is not ideal for thick linens either because the moisture inside them can easily lead to discolouration, mould and the development and multiplication of micro-organisms.
• Take care with synthetic clothing: Due to permanently incorporated optical brighteners, there is a risk of yellowing if exposed to sustained UV light.
• Don't feel like ironing? Then give your drying washing a few good thwacks before drying. Whipping smooths and loosens the fibres after spinning and saves or makes ironing easier for you. Outerwear garments such as t-shirts, shirts, or blouses are best hung on a hanger straight away. To properly hang the rest of your laundry, a clothes racks or a clothesline are still the easiest options.
• Free space for heavy items: Hang thick laundry items as freely as possible so that air flows evenly from all sides. Feel free to hang lighter fabrics closer together.
• Turn inside out: This will help to preserve the colours and you can also dry dark and colourful laundry outdoors.
• Use clothes pegs: Products made of wood are sturdier, more durable, and more sustainable than their plastic counterparts. However, keep them in an airy place so that the wood dries well after each laundry drying session and germs don't start to form.
• Hang laundry properly: The clothes’ drying rack is ideal for this indoors. When drying laundry, air circulation is the key. Therefore, place the drying rack in such a way that the air can move between all the laundry items. If you dry your clothes indoors, it is important to air them out several times. During the laundry drying process, you should air the room thoroughly several times for around ten minutes at a time and turn off the heating. This is the only way to remove damp air and allow the laundry to dry properly without mould forming in the room. In winter you can place the clothes rack in a heated room as this helps you get dry laundry faster.
• You have a drying room? Try not to stretch the washing lines parallel to the window so that the fresh air can always blow between the lines.
• Fan trick for those in a hurry: A fan provides more air movement - so the laundry dries faster and becomes softer.

We hope you have found this article on how to dry clothes interesting. For more useful article such as how to clean makeup brushes, dishwasher cleaning made easy or how to use washing powder check out our laundry and cleaning sections.