Doing laundry can be a time-consuming chore, especially when it comes to drying bulky towels, jeans, or bedding. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably wished there was a way to speed up your dryer’s cycle without sacrificing fresh, fully dried clothes. Good news: there’s a simple dryer hack that can actually cut your drying time in half, saving you energy, money, and — most importantly — your valuable time. Ready to revolutionize your laundry routine? Let’s dive into this game-changing trick and explore a few bonus tips to maximize your results even further.
What’s the Dryer Hack
Speeding up your drying time is easier than you might think: just add a clean, dry towel to your wet load before starting the dryer. Yes, that’s it — just one dry towel can make a big difference. As the towel absorbs excess moisture from your wet clothes, everything inside the dryer dries faster and more evenly. Instead of relying solely on heated air, the towel acts like a sponge, pulling water away from fabrics at a much quicker rate. The result is a shorter drying cycle that puts less strain on your dryer, helping you save energy, time, and even prolong the life of your machine.
Here’s How to Do It:
- After your washing machine cycle finishes, transfer your wet clothes to the dryer.
- Toss in a clean, dry bath towel.
- Start your usual drying cycle.
- Remove the towel after about 15–20 minutes to prevent it from becoming too saturated and slowing the process.
- Continue drying the rest of the load until finished.
That’s it! You’ll notice a shorter drying time, and your clothes may even come out with fewer wrinkles because they won’t be tumbling in a hot drum as long.
Why Does It Work
Understanding the science behind this hack makes it even more impressive.
The key is moisture absorption. Wet clothes inside a dryer release water vapor as they dry. Normally, the dryer has to work extra hard to heat up, evaporate, and vent out that moisture. When you add a dry towel into the mix:
- The towel immediately soaks up excess water from the wet clothes.
- Less moisture in the drum means the dryer doesn’t need to run as long.
- The process is more energy efficient, which helps reduce your utility bills.
- Your clothes experience less heat exposure, protecting delicate fabrics and prolonging their lifespan.
The Dryer Hack That Cuts Drying Time in Half
Doing laundry can be a time-consuming chore, especially when it comes to drying bulky towels, jeans, or bedding. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably wished there was a way to speed up your dryer’s cycle without sacrificing fresh, fully dried clothes. Good news: there’s a simple dryer hack that can actually cut your drying time in half, saving you energy, money, and — most importantly — your valuable time. Ready to revolutionize your laundry routine? Let’s dive into this game-changing trick and explore a few bonus tips to maximize your results even further.
What’s the Dryer Hack
Speeding up your drying time is easier than you might think: just add a clean, dry towel to your wet load before starting the dryer. Yes, that’s it — just one dry towel can make a big difference. As the towel absorbs excess moisture from your wet clothes, everything inside the dryer dries faster and more evenly. Instead of relying solely on heated air, the towel acts like a sponge, pulling water away from fabrics at a much quicker rate. The result is a shorter drying cycle that puts less strain on your dryer, helping you save energy, time, and even prolong the life of your machine.
Here’s How to Do It:
- After your washing machine cycle finishes, transfer your wet clothes to the dryer.
- Toss in a clean, dry bath towel.
- Start your usual drying cycle.
- Remove the towel after about 15–20 minutes to prevent it from becoming too saturated and slowing the process.
- Continue drying the rest of the load until finished.
That’s it! You’ll notice a shorter drying time, and your clothes may even come out with fewer wrinkles because they won’t be tumbling in a hot drum as long.
Why Does It Work
Understanding the science behind this hack makes it even more impressive.
The key is moisture absorption. Wet clothes inside a dryer release water vapor as they dry. Normally, the dryer has to work extra hard to heat up, evaporate, and vent out that moisture. When you add a dry towel into the mix:
- The towel immediately soaks up excess water from the wet clothes.
- Less moisture in the drum means the dryer doesn’t need to run as long.
- The process is more energy efficient, which helps reduce your utility bills.
- Your clothes experience less heat exposure, protecting delicate fabrics and prolonging their lifespan.
Extra Tips to Boost Drying Efficiency
While the dry towel trick works wonders on its own, pairing it with a few other smart laundry habits can take your efficiency to the next level:
Use Wool Dryer Balls
- These reusable balls separate clothes, allowing more hot air to circulate.
- They absorb some moisture themselves and reduce static cling.
- Bonus: They can naturally soften fabrics without the need for chemical-laden dryer sheets.
Shake Out Clothes Before Drying
- After washing, give each item a good shake before putting it in the dryer.
- This loosens up tangled fabrics, letting them dry more evenly and quickly.
Clean the Lint Trap Every Time
- A clogged lint filter restricts airflow so it makes the dryer work harder.
- Cleaning the lint trap after every load ensures maximum efficiency and helps prevent fires.
Choose the Right Load Size
- Overloading your dryer makes it much harder for clothes to dry.
- Underloading wastes energy.
- Aim for a balanced load where clothes can tumble freely.
Opt for a High-Speed Spin Cycle
- If your washing machine has the option, select a high-speed spin.
- It extracts more water from clothes before they even enter the dryer.
- Drier clothes mean faster drying and lower energy use.
When Not to Use the Dryer Hack
While the dry towel trick is extremely effective, there are a few cases where you might want to skip it:
- Delicate loads: If you’re drying delicate fabrics like silk or lingerie, adding a towel might be too rough on them.
- Very small loads: A dry towel can absorb too much moisture and throw off the balance in an already small load.
- Already quick-drying fabrics: Items like performance wear or moisture-wicking clothes already dry quickly on their own and don’t really need the extra help.
Enhancing Laundry Efficiency in London
For those looking to streamline their laundry routine, laundry in London can be optimized with the dry towel hack described above, especially useful in the city’s often damp climate. Many local laundromats offer high-capacity dryers that pair well with this trick, helping you save time and energy. By combining this method with London’s eco-conscious laundry services, which often provide high-speed spin cycles and eco-friendly detergents, you can ensure your clothes dry faster while keeping your utility bills low.
Extra Tips to Boost Drying Efficiency
While the dry towel trick works wonders on its own, pairing it with a few other smart laundry habits can take your efficiency to the next level:
Use Wool Dryer Balls
- These reusable balls separate clothes, allowing more hot air to circulate.
- They absorb some moisture themselves and reduce static cling.
- Bonus: They can naturally soften fabrics without the need for chemical-laden dryer sheets.
Shake Out Clothes Before Drying
- After washing, give each item a good shake before putting it in the dryer.
- This loosens up tangled fabrics, letting them dry more evenly and quickly.
Clean the Lint Trap Every Time
- A clogged lint filter restricts airflow so it makes the dryer work harder.
- Cleaning the lint trap after every load ensures maximum efficiency and helps prevent fires.
Choose the Right Load Size
- Overloading your dryer makes it much harder for clothes to dry.
- Underloading wastes energy.
- Aim for a balanced load where clothes can tumble freely.
Opt for a High-Speed Spin Cycle
- If your washing machine has the option, select a high-speed spin.
- It extracts more water from clothes before they even enter the dryer.
- Drier clothes mean faster drying and lower energy use.
When Not to Use the Dryer Hack
While the dry towel trick is extremely effective, there are a few cases where you might want to skip it:
- Delicate loads: If you’re drying delicate fabrics like silk or lingerie, adding a towel might be too rough on them.
- Very small loads: A dry towel can absorb too much moisture and throw off the balance in an already small load.
- Already quick-drying fabrics: Items like performance wear or moisture-wicking clothes already dry quickly on their own and don’t really need the extra help.
Make Laundry Day Faster and Easier with This Simple Trick
Laundry may never be the most exciting task on your to-do list, but with this simple dryer hack, it can be a lot less time-consuming. By tossing a dry towel into your wet load, you’ll cut drying time, save energy, and protect your clothes — all with virtually no extra effort. Next time laundry day rolls around, grab a clean towel and put this tip to the test. You’ll be amazed at how much faster your clothes are ready to fold, wear, or toss back into your closet. A quicker, smarter laundry routine is just one small change away!
