How To Dry Clothes Without A Dryer: 7 Different Methods!

Welcome to my article all about how to dry clothes without a dryer!

There are many reasons you may not want to dry your clothes in a dryer.

For one, forgoing a dryer saves energy. It can also save money if you need to pay for drying services.

You may also be dealing with a broken dryer or clothing that can’t be dried in a dryer.

If you are looking at any one of these situations, you will need to know your options.

This article will provide suggestions for how to dry your clothes without a dryer, so you are prepared for whatever comes your way.

Let’s dive in!

How To Dry Clothes Without A Dryer: 7 Methods!

Use a High Spin Setting on Your Washing Machine

If you are drying your clothes without a dryer, you want them to be as dry as possible before you start the process.

The best way to do that is to wash your clothes on a high-speed setting. This will help remove excess water from your clothes, so they don’t take as long to dry.

Hang Clothes to Dry

Hanging your clothes to dry may be the most popular method of drying clothes without a dryer.

Many apartment buildings have a clothesline that the residents can use.

If you are a homeowner, consider installing one in your yard if you haven’t already.

You can also invest in a drying rack that folds out for easy storage or get creative by hanging clothing from door frames, shower rods or by lying them flat.

If you are drying clothing in your home, it’s advisable to open windows or use a fan to prevent a musty smell.

It will typically take 2-4 hours to dry your clothing, but it depends on the thickness of the material that’s drying and the temperature, sunlight, and airflow in the space.

In some cases, it can take as long as 24 hours.

When hanging your clothing to dry, make sure to do so in a way that won’t cause the garments to wrinkle or get damaged.

You should also never hang your clothing on a heating source as this can be a fire hazard.

Use a Hairdryer

If you are looking to speed up dry times, a hairdryer can do the trick.

Simply point the dryer at the clothing while it is hanging or lying flat.

Rotate the garment and change the direction of the dryer to ensure it is completely dry, inside, and out.

Be sure not to hold the dryer in one spot for too long as the heat can do damage to the clothing.

Roll Clothing in a Towel

Another option is to roll your clothing in a towel.

Simply place the clothing on top of a nice, fluffy towel and roll it into a funnel.

To speed up the process, try placing tissue paper on top of the garment before rolling it.

An Iron and Towel

using a clothes iron to dry clothes

This method requires you to lay your clothing on an ironing board.

Place your wet clothing on the board, then place a towel on top of it.

Iron the towel on both sides using high heat. The warmth of the iron will help remove the moisture.

Note: The towel is necessary as ironing wet clothing directly can cause damage.

Use the Oven

An oven will work to dry small articles of clothing like socks and underwear.

Start by preheating your oven to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once it has reached the desired temperature, shut the oven off and place your items inside on a baking sheet.

Leave them in for about an hour.

Then remove the sheet to enjoy your warm, toasty clothing.

Note, putting soaking wet clothing into your oven could damage it so be sure to wring out items before proceeding.

Types of Drying Racks/Clothes Lines

View Clothes Drying Racks on Amazon Here!

While there are a lot of ways to dry clothing without a dryer, a clothesline or drying rack remains one of the most popular options.

There are various types of devices you can use for this purpose.

Here are a few examples.

Star Shaped Drying Racks

A star shaped rack is comprised of several wood pieces that allow clothing to be hung at different angles.

It ensures the sun and wind reaches all your garments and provides plenty of space for them.

It also looks pretty cool!

Crib Spring Drying Rack

This drying rack can literally be made from a crib spring, aka those metal springboards found at the bottom of cribs.

Hang the rack from the ceiling and use its grates to hang drying clothes.

It’s a money saving DIY project and the fact that it hangs from the ceiling means it won’t take up any valuable real estate in your home.

Heavy Duty Drying Rack

This type of drying rack offers durability yet is can easily be folded flat against the wall when not in use.

Most varieties are adjustable so you can make them longer or shorter depending on the space you have available and how much clothing you need to dry.

Retractable Clothesline

The retractable clothesline is an inconspicuous device you hang on your wall.

When you pull the pin on the front, it emits a retractable string that can be attached to the other side of the wall or an adjacent fixture.

It’s a convenient and affordable way to dry your clothes without a dryer.

Shelia Maid

Sheila Maid clothes racks have been widely used in Great Britain for over 100 years.

They look something like a sled, but the slats are more widely spaced to accommodate the clothing.

They come in various lengths with either four or six rails.

They have pully systems that raise and lower the racks.

The racks are made in Scotland, but they are also available in the U.S.

For Delicates

If you are drying delicates, you may want to use a drying rack that looks like an octopus and has clips hanging down from it.

It can be hung from a shower curtain rod and it’s ideal for drying smaller items.

How To Dry Clothes Without A Dryer: Conclusion

Now that you know your options, you may want to say goodbye to your dryer for good.

I hope this article has given you some good ideas on how to dry your clothes without a dryer.

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