Wrapping wet clothing inside a dry towel after washing can soak up excess water and help laundry dry much faster indoors this autumn, without the need to switch on the heating. The technique, recommended by laundry experts, offers a low-cost way to speed up drying as temperatures drop in late September and early October.
With colder and wetter weather forcing people to dry clothes indoors, many without tumble dryers or heated airers face damp laundry hanging around for days. Clothes airers remain a cheap and energy-saving option, but drying times can be slow, especially before the heating is turned on.
The towel roll method explained
According to advice from Lifestyle Clotheslines, the towel roll method involves wrapping wet clothing in one or multiple dry towels to absorb water, then adding paper towels on top for extra moisture extraction. The technique can speed up the drying process significantly while saving time and effort.
The steps include taking each piece of clothing from its damp state and rolling it tightly inside a single dry towel. When using multiple garments at once, clean linens should be separated if possible. Both ends of the towel should then be twisted tightly to squeeze out excess water. Paper towel sheets can be inserted into the creases created during folding to soak away additional drops.
Also effective for bedding
Martin Seeley, sleep expert and CEO of MattressNextDay, says the technique is also effective for drying bed sheets, particularly when the washing line cannot be used due to cold or wet autumnal weather. He recommends drying bedding indoors or using a tumble dryer to keep it pollen-free.
Seeley suggests washing sheets first thing in the morning to take advantage of warmer temperatures and natural airflow. Giving sheets a good shake before hanging them helps separate fibres and speeds up drying. The towel technique involves laying a damp sheet flat on a dry towel, rolling them tightly together, and pressing down to absorb excess moisture before hanging the sheet to finish drying.
These simple hacks can dramatically reduce drying times indoors, making it much easier to keep bedding fresh.
