There are many benefits to air-drying clothes rather than using a tumble dryer.
- Air-drying clothes is better for the environment as it requires less energy.
- Air-drying clothes saves you money as you’re not paying for the energy used to power a tumble dryer.
- Air-drying clothes outside helps to give your clothes a clean, fresh fragrance especially when washed with eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets.
- Air-drying clothes prevents wear and tear on them and increases their lifespan.
Benefits of drying clothes in the sun
Drying your clothes in the sun helps to whiten and disinfect your laundry. Studies have shown that the ultra-violet rays of sunlight help to bleach and disinfect laundry. This is especially helpful for white sheets and towels.
For dark-coloured clothes, however, exposure to extreme sunlight can cause some damage. It’s advised to keep your dark-coloured clothing in the shade to prevent them from fading.
An unexpected benefit of drying your clothes in the sun is an increase in physical activity while you hang your washing. Not only that but the extra time in the sun increases your intake of vitamin D!
Sun-drying your clothes also reduces wrinkles and creases! The weight of the water in freshly washed clothes gently stretches them back to their original shape, helping to remove wrinkles and creases.
Air dry vs tumble dryer
There are advantages and disadvantages to both air-drying your clothes and using a tumble dryer.
Air drying clothes is more environmentally friendly, saves money, reduces wrinkles and creases, and increases the lifespan of your clothes. However, air-drying clothes is dependent on the weather, takes more time and requires a little more effort.
Tumble drying your clothes is quick and requires minimal effort. The downside is that tumble dryers are not only expensive to buy but also expensive to run. They can also be rough on your clothes, increasing the wear and tear on them.
How long does it take to air-dry clothes?
How long does it take to air-dry clothes outside is one of the biggest questions people ask! Unfortunately, it’s not a simple answer… The length of time required to air-dry clothes outside depends on several factors, from the material itself to the weather. Air-drying clothes outside can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 24 hours.
How long does it take to air-dry clothes inside?
The time required to dry clothes indoors again depends on several factors. Depending on the type of clothing and the temperature of your indoor space, it can take around 24 hours for clothes to dry indoors.
How to air-dry clothes without them smelling
Some people are put off air-drying their clothes due to the musty smell that can sometimes occur. This smell is caused when there is excess moisture trapped in the material that isn’t able to escape. Usually, this is due to leaving wet laundry in the washing machine for a length of time before hanging it out to dry.
To prevent your clothes from smelling when air-drying them, ensure you hang them up as quickly as possible after your wash has completed. Use generous spacing when hanging your washing to ensure the air can flow around your clothes. And if air-drying your clothes indoors, open a window to allow moisture to leave your clothes, allowing them to dry faster and more completely.
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