Running an extra high spin cycle after every wash can cut indoor drying time significantly this winter, according to money-saving expert Ricky Willis of the website Skint Dad.
With tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers accounting for 14% of a typical energy bill, according to the Energy Saving Trust, many households are looking to reduce their use of the appliance. Ricky advises always running the washing machine on a high spin cycle once the main wash has finished.
How the extra spin works
He said: "That way, less moisture will be retained, and drying will take much less time. Trust me; when you take your load out of the washer, you'll be thankful you've listened to this advice."
Appliance retailer AO explained that the extra 10 to 15-minute spin works by rotating the drum at ultra-high speeds, which "pulls water from the fabric by sheer force". They explained: "In a nutshell, the faster and longer the spin, the more water will be extracted from your clothes."
Since there's now less water in the clothes, they dry much quicker when hung up or placed in a tumble dryer. The trick helps save time when relying on drying clothes in winter.
Why the method is effective
Taking more water out of clothes makes the drying process simpler, as there is less moisture that needs to evaporate. Well-spun clothes hold less moisture, meaning they dry more quickly when hung up, even in cool and damp winter conditions.
An additional spin can cut drying time by several hours or even an entire day, which is particularly useful as winter approaches. The colder season typically brings greater humidity and reduced sunshine, both of which can slow down natural drying.
Is a spin cycle energy-saving?
Running an extra spin cycle consumes considerably less energy than using a heated airer or tumble dryer. A standard spin relies on mechanical force rather than heat to extract water from clothes.
A washing machine's spin cycle uses only a small fraction of the electricity that a heated airer or tumble dryer would get through. Exact figures differ depending on the machine and energy tariff, but an extra spin could use as little as 0.1 kWh, while a heated airer might consume between 0.3 and 0.5 kWh per hour over several hours.
Best place to dry clothes at home
Once clothes are out of the washing machine, they should be hung on an airer indoors to dry fully. According to Ricky, where the drying rack is placed inside the home is "very important".
He said: "Wet clothes have a horrible habit of causing mould if they're damp for too long, so drying clothes efficiently inside means you should identify the best rooms in your house to stand your drying rack."
In damp weather, the least humid room in the house should be used for drying, as wet clothes release damp into the air. The room chosen should have enough floor space, and the more available open space, the better.
Ricky noted that this could be a dedicated laundry room, the kitchen, garage, spare room, or even the dining room, but it should "ideally" benefit from natural sunlight and promote good airflow. The "important thing" is to make sure the drying rack isn't hemmed in by too many large items nearby, as this will only "slow down the drying process".
