Experts have identified a four-hour window that is best for drying clothes outside during winter, advising households to put their laundry out between 10am and 2pm to make the most of the sun's peak intensity.
Cold winter days and shorter nights make it harder to get washing dry, often leaving homes cluttered with damp clothes for days. However, drying time can be optimised by hanging clothes on the line at specific times of the day.
Why 10am to 2pm Works
The Royal Meteorological Society said: "Clothes take longer to dry in cooler winter temperatures than in summer. But as long as the air is dry enough, water will slowly evaporate (or ice will sublime) even if the temperature is below freezing."
"In fact, clothes will dry faster on a cold and dry day than on a warm and humid day, especially if they are in direct sunlight. Hang clothes out in the morning to make the most of the sun's peak intensity, which usually occurs between 10am and 2pm."
The society added: "Keep an eye on the forecast and look for breaks in the weather. Even if there's only a short window of opportunity, pop your laundry outside for a quick air dry."
Maximising Drying Conditions
Sunlight and wind are both crucial for evaporating water and helping clothes dry faster and more evenly. Hanging clothes out in the morning gives washing a longer window to dry by maximising exposure to dry, warm and windy air.
By using this four-hour window, clothes should be dry, or very close to dry, by mid-afternoon. If laundry is still a bit wet, it is advised to bring it back inside to finish off drying before the evening dew sets in, as this will avoid dampness.
Experts at Planet Friendly Living add: "Even in the UK it is still possible to dry your washing outside in winter. You don't need a warm or sunny day to dry your washing (although that does speed up the process) you just need it to be dry."
"A breezy day is always best, but so long as the ground outside is dry, you should be able to get a load of washing dry. Aim to hang out your washing as early as possible to give it the maximum amount of time to dry before the sun goes down. Bring it in promptly at the end of the afternoon to avoid the dew."
If clothes are not quite dry, they can be finished off inside on a clothes airer or given a short time in the tumble dryer.
