Photography: Dave Wheeler
Drying your laundry when it’s wet and cold or worse, when it’s wet and humid, can be like watching paint dry on the wall – tedious and slow. But, with the right equipment and technique, damp and musty clothes will become a thing of the past – all without a clothes dryer.
In an ideal world, the weather would always be bright and sunny, providing us with the perfect climate to wash and dry our clothes. While we are lucky to enjoy plenty of glorious winter days with conditions conducive to drying laundry, there are plenty of days that are wet and dreary, and even so, we still have to do our laundry.
Here, we share some simple laundry hacks and clever buys to ensure you get your clothes dry and ready to wear in time, even while it’s pouring out.
1. Make the most of sunny days
This may sound obvious, but don’t ignore that load of washing if the sun is shining. You’ll regret it when there’s a week of relentless rain and you can’t find a single pair of socks to wear.
2. Choose the right airer
In winter, you absolutely need a good quality airer. It’s best to choose one based on the space you have. If you’ve got lots of space, select an airer with a large surface area. This way, you can lay your items across two or more bars instead of just one, which will expose more of your garment for better airflow.
If you’re short on space, the best way to go is up. Vertical airers are fantastic for this purpose, as they make use of the room’s height, great when floor space is at a premium.
In addition, look at installing airer railings in your laundry room, the bigger, the better, as this creates more space around your clothes, letting them ventilate and dry quicker.
3. Location, location
Aside from choosing the right airer, placing it in the best area of your home is just as important. Set yours up in a room with great airflow, ideally in between two windows, which can be left open to create cross ventilation. Alternatively, you can position a portable fan a meter from the rack to ensure that air is constantly flowing through your clothes.
4. Create a drying zone
Investing in a stylish airer or creating a designated ‘drying zone’ in the home means you don’t have to struggle setting up the airer and putting it away every time you need to dry your clothes indoors.
5. Avoid dampness with a dehumidifier
If you find that your clothes are always left with damp areas, set a timer to remind yourself to rotate your clothing halfway through dry time. This ensures that all sides get optimal and equal access to airflow.
You can also use a dehumidifier to keep the room’s humidity at a minimum, to prevent dampness and mould growth. And while, yes, this means your clothes will dry quicker and with less musty odours, it also brings with it a plethora of other benefits, including alleviating allergies and reducing air pollution and dust mites.
6. Hang wisely
The top of the airer gets the most air circulation, so hang your thicker garments there. Leave the bottom rungs for your thinner and smaller garments, as they take less time to dry. Closely stacked racks are perfect for small garments that are high in volume, such as baby clothes or underwear.
If all the railings have been used up, hang your clothes on coat hangers and place them on the outside rails of your airer. Aside from saving you space, it also saves time as you can pop them right into your wardrobe when they’re dry.
Related articles:
- 6 best dehumidifiers for a dryer, healthier home
- Create a laundry you won’t want to leave with these stylish products
- How to revive your laundry on a budget
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