Drying laundry in cold weather won’t be a hassle anymore if you follow these tips:

If you don’t have a dryer at home, it can be quite challenging to dry your clothes faster in winter. And it becomes even more annoying if you need them ASAP. So what are the solutions for this? When the air feels like a damp sponge, or when there aren’t many windows or the sun doesn’t want to peek through the clouds, laundry professionals rely on simple tricks to dry clothes fast.

With some smart indoor setups and a few ventilation tips, you can keep your laundry fresh and dry for the next time you need it. Here’s how to make your winter laundry routine stress-free, avoid getting your clothes musty and bad-smelling, and, of course, survive the overall drying laundry in cold weather like a PRO. Are you ready?

Always use hangers

When you don’t have a dryer but must have a solution for drying laundry in cold weather, hangers, a drying rack, or a clothesline are a couple of amazing alternatives for a dryer. Yes, it will take a little bit more time to have your garments fully dried but if you arrange them accordingly it can speed up the process.

Experts recommend making sure there is proper air circulation, removing any clustered areas, and leaving enough distance between the wet clothing. Avoid drafts and hang your clothes in the warmer parts of the house, near a radiator if possible, or near the window if there’s enough sunlight.

Use the “wind” to your advantage

…Wait, what wind if you’re drying laundry indoors? Install a standing fan to blow directly on the clothes if your house feels stuffy or if you’re hanging wet clothes in a humid space like a bathroom.

Using a fan to remove humid air will encourage evaporation even if it isn’t a natural wind. You can, however, also benefit from the cold weather. If you have a balcony and the weather is nice and windy without any snow or drizzle, place out the drying rack and leave the clothes in the wind for two or three hours. Believe it or not, the crisp wintery wind can bring a little bit of extra freshness to your clothes.

You can bring them inside and use a heater and fan to speed up the drying process.

Tip: If you take out the drying rack, it’s important to use a cover for it. Why? Because the UV rays might damage your laundry while hanging. These covers must be fit for the drying rack, but in case you don’t find one, you can opt for a universal-size cover (Rayen 6009 Universal Drying Rack Cover for Rainy Days, 102.4 by 48-inch). 

Buy a dehumidifier

Effective indoor drying requires proper humidity control because it shortens the drying time overall. The drying process of your clothes can be sped up by placing a dehumidifier near your drying rack to quickly eliminate extra moisture from the air.

To get the best drying efficiency, make sure to evenly space them out. Finally, to control the humidity in your well-sealed home, turn on the dehumidifier. You don’t know which dehumidifier suits your needs but is also friendly with your budget? TABYIK 35 is a great small dehumidifier suitable for the bedroom, bathroom, or living room. The biggest perk about this product? It has a low energy consumption, so don’t worry about skyrocketing power bills after using it. It’s available on Amazon at the amazing price of $39.99.

If you don’t own a dehumidifier or you find it a bit too expensive for you, don’t worry! Drying laundry in cold weather is also possible with an air conditioner set to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Also don’t forget to rotate your clothes frequently to guarantee even drying.

Tip: Once in a while, make sure you check your apartment for signs of mold because there might be hidden in places that you don’t usually reach. Strike for dark corners, especially on the exterior walls. There are a couple of homemade methods to get rid of mold effectively, but if you don’t know what to do, don’t hesitate to ask the help of an expert.

The hairdryer can be useful too!

Even if it seems odd, this is an old trick that even our parents used to do, and when it comes to drying laundry in cold weather, it’s one of the most efficient. You can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to dry any moisture on your items that resulted from spot cleaning, water-only spills, or uneven line drying.

A hairdryer is a great option if you’re in a hurry, but it may take a while to dry entire items. Items made of thinner fabrics, such as chiffon, will dry in less than ten minutes, but cotton may be a little too difficult to dry with a hair dryer. Furthermore, for smaller wet surfaces on the clothes, you can also use ironing.

Put the clothes near a heating source

This seemed obvious from the very beginning, right? However, if you want your clothes to dry faster, place them near your heater. This method works wonders for smaller items like underwear, socks, or t-shirts. However, it’s important to avoid putting them directly on the heating source to avoid a fire hazard and damage both your clothes and your home.

Use fabric softener

It’s important to keep in mind that air-drying clothes can make them feel more rigid or uncomfortable compared to machine drying. That’s why using a fabric softener that softens and conditions fabrics to keep clothes soft even without a dryer is recommended.

Dry your clothes during the night

Drying laundry in cold weather during nighttime is a pretty effective method too, and it has plenty of perks. First of all, you won’t get your clothes stained from the sunlight; secondly, the drying process will be faster during the nighttime with less cold and humidity.

When the clothes are completely dry in the morning (but never before; otherwise they will develop a musty smell), fold or hang them to prevent wrinkles and store them in your wardrobe to keep them fresh until the next time you’re going to wear them.

Open windows

Although it might seem counterintuitive, opening windows to allow air to circulate can help avoid mustiness and speed up drying even in the winter.

Bottom line:

Winter laundry management can be a little more difficult, but there are a few easy tips that will help you keep your clothes clean and fresh. You might want to try washing less often, for instance. By doing this, you’ll save a bunch of money since you won’t need to use the washing machine as often! Plus, it’s a great way to help keep your clothes looking amazing for longer.

Reduce the washing frequency to 3 or 4 weeks for items that don’t stick near your skin, like sweaters, jeans, coats, and jackets. Use a gentle cycle in the washing machine, use the recommended amount of detergent, and hang your clothes to dry for the longest possible life.

How do you manage the laundry during cold months? Tell us in the comments section below.

Related article: 9 Things That Damage Your Washing Machine.