Photography: Kristina Soljo
Has it been raining all week, and now your laundry basket is overflowing? Getting the laundry washed and dried may be easy on hot, sunny days, but when the weather is wet and muggy, the task is not so simple…
Rain, moisture in the air, cold temperatures and dreary days can mean dealing with an ever-growing pile of washing. Here, are 8 simple hacks to get your laundry dry in no time at all.
1. Spin it again
Remove even more moisture from your washing by spinning it again! An additional spin cycle will ensure that as much moisture has been removed from the washing as possible. This will ensure your clothes dry quickly, whether they’re hung indoors, outdoors or thrown straight into the dryer.
2. Hold the line
While a clothesline in the middle of the yard is perfect for drying laundry on hot, sunny days, a clothesline that is exposed to the elements is basically useless when rain starts to fall. Consider whether relocating your clothesline is an option. Slimline, wall-mounted clotheslines, such as the Eco 300 clothesline are perfect for installing in an area shielded from the elements, such as underneath a patio or along the side of your house.
If you don’t have a suitable undercover area, consider opting for a clothesline cover, which keeps rain (and bird droppings) off your freshly laundered clothing!
3. Towel hack
Put a piece of clothing on an ironing board, as if ready to iron, then lay a thin towel over the top of it. Press the towel using medium to high heat (depending on what you’re drying). Turn the garment over and do the same to the other side. This nifty trick helps remove some moisture and reduces the amount of air-drying needed.
4. Hair dryer trick
If you’re really short on time, a quick blast with a hairdryer can help. Be sure to check on the drying status of your item and regularly rotate the item frequently. Pay attention to pockets, sleeves and collars as you go. Opt for a warm setting as it’s all about airflow rather than heat.
5. Pick the right position
The key to getting laundry dried quickly indoors is ensuring you position the clothes airer in a room with low humidity. Use the ‘dehumidify’ setting on your air conditioning unit, or direct a pedestal fan’s breeze towards the clothes airer for maximum air-flow.
6. If the heaters are on
If you do happen to have the heating on, now is the time to get your clothes washed. Hang them on the clothes-horse in the room with the heaters going, at least a metre or so away from the heater. The warm, dry air will get your clothes dry faster.
7. Hang items correctly
If you’re using a clothes-horse or clothes airer, ensure you aren’t overloading it. Heavier fabrics and clothing items should be hung on the outer rungs, while smaller, quick-drying fabrics should be hung on the inner and lower rungs.
8. Maximise your tumble dry
If you really must give in to using the tumble dryer, popping a totally dry bath towel into the mix of wet clothes will get them dry quicker. Alternatively, add a tennis ball or dryer ball to the drum to ensure the fabric is aerated. It’s also a good idea to empty the lint filter after every load, as a full filter means longer drying times.
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