WHEN it comes to energy bills, one of the biggest guzzlers is the tumble dryer.
So it’s no wonder people are turning to other hacks to get their laundry dry without using the dryer – even when it’s raining outside.
It can be a nightmare trying to get clothes dry inside without using the costly tumble dryer[/caption]
But one expert has come up with a clever hack – to use a salad spinner[/caption]
And the clever idea of using a kitchen gadget for another purpose won’t cost you much either.
You can pick one up for less than £2 online, but the likelihood is you’ve probably already got one in the cupboard.
If you haven’t guessed already, the gadget in question is a salad spinner.
“The kitchen staple works the same way that your laundry machine’s spin cycle does, but this DIY hack kicks off the drying process in a couple of minutes, rather than twenty or thirty,” Deyan Dimitrov, CEO and Co-Founder at Laundryheap, explained.
“Simply throw one or two small items in your spinner, making sure that there is lots of space to let the water flow out.
“Then spin until they are damp, rather than dripping.
“Once most of the water is removed, move on to your normal drying method.”
The hack works especially well for clothing made from quick drying fabric – such as sportswear.
Another household staple you can use to your advantage when it comes to laundry is a hairdryer, as it’s a “great substitute for drying clothes in the sun”.
“This works better on smaller garments, like underwear and socks, and could considerably reduce your drying load in the long-run,” Deyan explained.
“Make sure to keep the hairdryer an arm’s length away from your garments, to avoid their fabrics from overheating.
“Additionally be careful not to obstruct any airflow to the back of your hairdryer, as this could cause the appliance to heat up too.”
If you’ve got a pair of hair straighteners, you can even use them to get rid of any wrinkles in your clothes.
“Set the device to its lowest setting (roughly 180 degrees) and run the straighter’s hot-plates over any creases,” he said.
“The wrinkles should disappear instantly.”
But he also shared a word of warning, as he added: “Be careful when using this technique, as some fabrics are delicate and could react badly, for example lace garments.
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.
“Any cotton shirts, trousers and polos should be perfectly fine but always check the care label on the item first.”
An iron would also work well if you don’t have straighteners to hand.
Just put the freshly washed items onto a flat surface – such as an ironing board or even a countertop – and then lay a clean towel over the top.
“Run the iron gently over them,” he continued.
“The iron’s heat will begin to gently dry the clothes, whilst the towel will absorb excess moisture from the fabric fibres and prevent unnecessary heat damage.”
