WITH the winter weather making air-drying clothes feel like a week-long ordeal, many of us are begrudgingly hitting the ‘on’ button on the tumble dryer.
But as remain stubbornly high, that convenience comes at a significant cost.
Many Brits will be trying to get their clothes dry without having to spend more on their electricity this winterCredit: Getty
Experts have revealed a 15 minute hack with an already dry towelCredit: TikTok
Fortunately, one viral account is here to prove that you can speed up your laundry day and slash your energy usage with a few genius, low-cost .
The video from @ loop.homes , titled “Clothes Drying Cheapskate Hacks,” has already racked up 30.7k views in just two days, proving we’re all desperate for ways to save in the laundry room.
If you are currently drying your clothes the old-fashioned way, you might be wasting money – here is the simple, 15-minute trick you need to know about.
The number one hack involves an item you already own – which is a clean, dry towel.
This trick is all about boosting your machine’s efficiency right from the start.
The creator advises: “Pop a dry towel in the tumble dryer for the first 15 minutes of the cycle. This will absorb excess moisture.”
This works because the wet laundry takes a long time to dry because the machine first has to work hard to evaporate all the surface water.
A dry, absorbent towel acts like a sponge, immediately soaking up much of that moisture.
Once the towel has done its job after the first quarter of an hour, you simply remove it and continue the cycle.
Because the remaining clothes are already significantly drier, the machine runs for less time overall, saving you energy and money.
While the dry towel is perfect for the tumble dryer, you can still speed up the process if you rely on airers rather than the machine.
If you want to avoid that damp laundry smell, you need to improve air circulation.
You can power up your drying rack by positioning it near an open window to maximise natural airflow.
For an extra boost, place a desk fan nearby and point it towards your damp clothes.
Simple Action
This simple action pushes air past the fabric quickly, drastically reducing drying time compared to simply letting them sit in a cold room.
For those who do use the dryer, using dryer eggs (or even wool dryer balls) can also help separate clothes as they tumble, leaving more room for air to circulate and ensuring everything dries evenly and faster.
Finally, the biggest drain on your energy bill is often poor machine maintenance.
The creator stresses the importance of making one habit a routine: cleaning your dryer filter after every single use.
Using dryer eggs (or even wool dryer balls) can also help separate clothes as they tumble dryCredit: TikTok
“Lint build-up can clog up the dryer and make it harder for your clothes to dry,” she warns.
When lint clogs the filter, the machine has to work much harder to pull air through, increasing the cycle time and making your tumble dryer less efficient – and more expensive.
Making the habit of cleaning that filters a daily routine will keep your machine running optimally and save you money every time you turn it on.
The video has gained nine comments so far, with other people adding their suggestions.
One wrote: “Dehumidifier.”
While a second added: “I know a lady she has a 1400 spin washer then she puts her washing in the spinner and loads of extra water comes out she uses an old paint tray to collect the water.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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