Did you know that an appropriate way of drying your clothes can make a lot of difference on their appearance and feel? That is something very important to note. However, the big question would be how to do it the right way. This guide is meant for you so that you can decide if you want to tumble dry or air dry your clothes.
To begin with, ensure your clothes are free from any stains because if you dry them with a stain, it will be very hard to remove it when the cloth is already dry. You should also know that different materials of clothes require different ways of drying them.
When drying knitwear, put them dry flat away from direct heat. You can also get tips or instructions from the care label. Cotton and linen are dried on a hot setting if you are using a drier. You can also hang them outside on a washing line or using a clothes dryer. When hanging woolens, you should be careful because they tend to lose their shape when hung up. You can use a flat table or use a special drying screen.
Two methods of drying your clothes
a) Using a tumble dryer
You should begin by checking the garments’ care label for any specific instructions given. Tumble dryers tend to dry clothes faster although not all fabrics are suitable for tumble drying. Whether you want your clothes to dry faster, if the clothes in question are not appropriate for tumble drying, and then you have to use other methods such as a hanging line.
Ensure there is enough space while tumble drying your clothes so that they can have enough space to move around. If you do so, your clothes your clothes will dry faster and they will not have a lot of wrinkles. If you plan to iron your clothes afterward, then it would be advisable to set drying time that will leave them slightly dump. Always remember to remove any build-up fluff from the lint tray of the machine.
b) Outside drying
If you choose to dry your clothes with sunlight, then ensure that bright or deep dyed clothes are put in the shade to avoid fading. You can also turn then inside out. Using color care detergents is also good because they will help maintain the color of your clothes. Sunlight is very beneficial to white clothing because they will not only be brighter, but any stain on them will fade away.
Benefits of air drying your clothes outside
If possible, air drying your clothes outside is very effective even if you will not put them outside, you can still air dry them on an indoor washing line or clothes horse. One benefit of air drying is that you will not use a lot of energy and in return, your household bills will reduce, not forgetting the reduced impact on the environment. A tumble dryer can cause a bit of wear and tear which is not the case with sunlight drying.
Another benefit of outside drying is that you will not incur any costs of purchasing a dryer since outside drying is absolutely free. If your drier is not vented outside, the moisture will end up in your house and this will lead to humidity and mould. When you dry your clothes outside, all that moisture will remain outside. There are also health benefits of drying your clothes outside because the ultraviolet in the solar radiation will kill bacteria and dust mites and bleach stains in case of pure white clothes.
When is the best time to hang your clothes outside?
After washing your clothes, you may prefer to hang them outside so that they can dry up. However, you need to find out when is the most appropriate time to hang your clothes for good results. Rains will add extra moisture in the air and evaporation rate will be very low. It is better to wait for a sunny or dry day to hang your clothes outside.
Wind is also very useful in drying clothes. This is because when there is no wind, the air around your clothes becomes saturated and ends up slowing down and even at times stopping the evaporation. When there is wind, the humid air is blown away and fresh air is blown back enhancing the drying of your clothes.
Solar radiation which is basically sunshine or irradiance is the most next important factor to consider while hanging your clothes outside. Evaporation of water is enabled by energy. The best source is the direct solar radiation. This energy can come from an already warmed ground by the sun or from the ambient air. Otherwise the most important source of energy of the direct sunlight.
Drying your clothes in humid weather
If you live in the UK, you understand how difficult it can be to dry your clothes in such conditions. Fortunately, these tips will guide you and enable you to dry your clothes whenever you want to:
a) Hang your clothes in an optimal way
If you have space to hang your clothes, use it exhaustively. Ensure you space your clothes in such a way that air will circulate more freely. Make sure that your clothes are fully straightened without any cases of folds. You may want to have an open hanging area especially during summer but if you live in a rainy place, then having a roof over your laundry area will be more effective. Even if your clothes will not get much of the sunlight, the wind is equally good and they will still dry up. During winter, you would want to have your laundry space in a hot place to speed the process of drying.
b) Use hair dryers and irons
You do not have to panic if you are going to a special meeting in a few hours time and all your clothes you intend to wear are dump. Make use of a dryer by hanging your clothes on a line and dry them with a hairdryer. The process is quite simple and it will take about 10 minutes of your precious time although the jeans may take longer.
The bottom line
From the above information, you are now in a better position on the method to use to dry your clothes effectively. You will also be guided by the weather in your place of residence, the type of your wet clothes and your general desires.
