With colder weather well and truly here, drying laundry can be a hassle. If you don’t own a tumble dryer, this becomes even more challenging.
For people in smaller homes without access to an outside washing line, getting your sheets dry in the winter can be nearly impossible. However, there are some tips and tricks you can use that will make it easier to get your laundry dry and not smell damp. Martin Seeley, sleep expert and CEO at MattressNextDay, has shared his top tips for getting your laundry dry without a tumble dryer — and all you need for his best trick is a clean towel.
He said: “Cotton towels are naturally absorbent, so when you roll your damp sheets up inside one, the towel pulls away a surprising amount of leftover water.
“To do it properly, lay a clean, dry towel flat on a large surface, spread your damp sheet on top, and roll them up tightly together like a Swiss roll. Press down firmly, or even stand on it carefully, to help the towel soak up the moisture.
“Once unrolled, hang your sheet near a warm spot or in a room with good airflow. You will find it dries noticeably faster, especially on cooler days when the air feels heavy and humid.”
His second tip is to wash your sheets early in the morning, giving them the whole day to dry. Martin said: “When you wash later in the evening, the cooler air slows everything down. If you can, start your wash before midday so your bedding benefits from daytime warmth and air flow.”
Once your wash has finished, it’s also a good idea to put them on an additional spin cycle to remove excess water. Running an extra spin cycle can remove up to 30% more water from your sheets, so they dry even faster, especially if you have limited space inside.
After you’ve run the spin cycle, give your sheets a shake before hanging them. Martin said: “It helps loosen the fibres so air can move through more easily. This prevents the fabric from clumping together, which can trap moisture and leave sheets feeling slightly musty.”
You can also be strategic about which fabrics you buy for your bedding. Bamboo, microfibre and polycotton are much lighter than pure cotton or linen and will dry much faster. Martin said: “They are ideal for the colder months when you cannot rely on outdoor drying and need to get bedding washed, dried and back on the bed the same day.”
