Households across the UK are being urged to add one common bathroom item to their tumble dryer to cut running time and save money. As autumn and winter bring colder weather, many face the annual problem of drying washing indoors.
Drying clothes on or near radiators can block heat circulation and release moisture into the air, potentially causing damp and mould. Tumble dryers can be costly to run, but Michelle Feng, a washing machine expert from Hisense, has shared simple and cheap hacks to help dry washing during the colder months.
Put a dry towel in your dryer
"Adding a clean, dry towel to the drum is a simple way to cut your tumble dryer’s running time and save money," Michelle explains. "The towel absorbs some of the excess moisture from your wet clothes and helps the air circulate more freely around the drum, so everything dries faster."
She also advises checking care labels, noting that lace, lingerie, silk, leather and waterproof clothing can all be damaged by heat and should not go in the dryer.
Run an extra spin cycle
To prevent musty smells during drying, Michelle suggests running an extra spin cycle on the washing machine at the end of the cycle to remove excess moisture, after checking care labels first.
For those avoiding the dryer, she recommends opening windows in the drying room, ensuring good airflow around the drying rack by keeping clothes from bunching up, and using a dehumidifier if possible.
Tumble dryer balls and the tennis ball trick
Michelle recommends tumble dryer balls, which separate clothes, improve airflow and speed up drying. "They also have the added benefit of reducing wrinkles and naturally soften fabrics in the dryer, giving a better final result."
Clean tennis balls can have a similar effect, she says, working best on down jackets, duvets and pillows, but should not be used for everyday clothing, wool or delicates as they can damage fabric.
Heated towel rails and dealing with damp smells
Michelle also suggests considering a heated drying rail for winter or for those without a tumble dryer, recommending models with thermostatic temperature control, a timer, auto shut-off, multiple drying bars, a foldable design and low-energy operation.
If clothes develop a damp, musty smell, she advises rewashing without overloading the drum, removing clothes as soon as the cycle ends, using a detergent suitable for the fabric at a temperature permitted by the care label, and running an extra rinse and higher spin speed if the fabric allows. She also stresses cleaning the machine regularly, including the door seal, detergent drawer and filter, to prevent odours building up inside.
