5 Top Tips For Drying Clothes In Winter
Drying clothes in winter can present a considerable challenge, as the colder temperature and lack of ventilation can drastically slow the drying process. The moisture from wet clothes can also lead to a lingering smell on your favourite garments, not to mention the possibility of mould growth indoors which presents a health hazard. However, there are ways of managing these issues. Here are our top tips for how to dry clothes faster in winter.
Make Sure You Choose The Right Spot For Your Airer
Where you choose to position your clothes horse or airer makes a huge difference for drying clothes in winter. You’ll want to make sure that it’s been placed in a well-ventilated area with good airflow – ideally next to a window or a door as this will allow for the most airflow around your clothes. Despite the cold temperatures, if you can keep this window or door open for 15 minutes a day then that will help your airflow significantly and help to keep the moisture from accumulating inside, reducing mould growth.
Consider Using A Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a great thing to have to help keep your home from getting damp by removing excess moisture from the air. This is particularly useful for drying clothes in winter faster and also helps to prevent musty smells from setting in. Place your dehumidifier next to your airer and you’ll find that your clothes dry that little bit quicker – though you’ll get the most benefit from using your dehumidifier in conjunction with the heating.
Wash In Smaller Loads
One very easy way to decrease drying time is to do your washes in smaller loads. A large wash leaves clothes much more waterlogged when the cycle finishes, which in turn means that they will take longer to dry out and more moisture will be circulating your home. Putting on smaller washes will make drying clothes in winter a little bit easier. You could also try out longer spin cycles to try and reduce the amount of moisture left in your clothes when you take them out of the washing machine and put them on your airer to dry.
Opt For Quick-Drying Fabrics
The type of clothes you buy makes a huge difference, too! Wherever possible, opt for clothing made out of quick-drying fabrics. They are ideally suited for the difficulties involved with drying clothes in winter, helping you to get your laundry sorted out without dealing with too much hassle with long drying times. When you inevitably do need to wash bulky items like thick jumpers, plan the wash around when you plan to have the heating on and/or with plenty of space on the airer for air to flow through.
Consider Your Ventilation Options
The type of ventilation within your home will have a huge impact on your drying times during the winter. A Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system is the perfect energy-efficient solution for speeding up your drying times because it continually cycles fresh air through your home while also keeping all of the heat in. This significantly improves the air quality of your home, removing moisture and debris and preventing mould growth. The balance of fresh ventilated air and consistent level of heat also provides perfect conditions for your clothes to dry indoors.
We hope that these key tips for drying clothes in winter have been helpful to you. If you have any questions about MVHR or any other heating options, then don’t hesitate to get in contact with the expert team at Pipelife, who will be happy to provide you with clear, helpful advice to suit your specific needs.