5 hacks to speed up clothes drying during cold weather

As the weather turns colder and wetter, getting your laundry dry can quickly become a frustrating chore.

Few things are more unpleasant than piles of washing waiting to be done and damp clothes hanging around the house, leaving behind a musty smell.

Rather than draping your laundry over radiators or relying on an energy-draining tumble dryer, there are smarter ways to get your clothes dry during cold weather without adding unnecessary moisture to your home.

Here are five practical hacks, recommended by cleaning and organising expert and Sunday Times bestselling author Gemma Bray, also known as The Organised Mum, that could help make laundry day easier and more efficient this winter.

1. Put on an extra spin for the win

Cut down your winter laundry drying time by running an extra 10-minute spin cycle.

“Once your washing has finished its regular cycle, put it on for an extra spin cycle,” recommends Bray. “Most washing machines will have a spin option and it usually only takes around 10 minutes.

“This will help get extra moisture out of your clothes and will therefore help your clothes dry much quicker inside. I call this hack an extra spin for the win.”

2. Check if the ground is damp outside

Cold weather doesn’t have to stop you from line-drying your clothes outside.

“You can still dry your clothes outside in winter, but just make sure that you do it on a clear day,” says Bray.

She also recommends keeping an eye on the dampness and weather conditions.

“A general rule of thumb I use is that if the path outside is damp to touch then the air will be too damp to dry my clothes outside,” shares Bray. “However, if the pavement is dry to touch then it should be fine to dry your clothes outside.”

3. Consider upgrading to a heated airer

Heated airers are a big game-changer when it comes to speed.

“I loved heated airers because they help dry clothes really quickly,” says Bray.

They come in many shapes and sizes, but most models require a significant amount of floor space when in use.

“If you are going to be drying clothes indoors regularly this winter, I would recommend having a permanent drying set up somewhere in your home if you have the space,” advises Bray.

“Constantly putting airers up and down can add friction to the laundry process and can make it overwhelming and stressful.”

4. Get a drying pod

If you really want to up your laundry game, you might want to consider adding a drying pod to your Christmas list.

Drying pods (or heated drying pods) are portable, tent-like laundry devices that use a fan heater in the base to circulate warm air around clothes hanging inside a zipped fabric or canvas cover.

“Put your wet clothes on hangers, place them inside the pod, and close the zipper,” instructs Bray, “Hot air is then blasted inside the pod which will help dry your clothes really quickly. It can also help get creases out of your clothing.”

The prices of drying pods vary significantly based on the brand, retailer, power capacity and features.

5. Invest in a dehumidifier

Avoid winter mould and moisture from drying clothes inside by using a dehumidifier.“If you have a space in your home dedicated to drying clothes and have money to invest, I would recommend getting a dehumidifier,” says Bray. “This works wonders and gets all the dampness out.”

A dehumidifier helps pull excess water vapour out of the air, which creates the perfect environment for your clothes to dry faster.