When temperatures drop, the sun disappears behind the clouds, and radiators barely keep up with seasonal reality, we find ourselves faced with a familiar household challenge: how to dry laundry quickly and efficiently indoors – without turning our apartment into a subtropical greenhouse. A dryer is not always available or we simply don't want to use it – either because of electricity consumption, space, or a love of gentler treatment of textiles.
Fortunately, there is a simple but extremely effective trick to drying laundry in the home, requiring nothing more than a clean, dry terry towel. This method avoids the use of electrical appliances and is based on logic and basic physics: it harnesses the absorbent power of the fabric to speed up the drying process. It is suitable for everyday use and works especially well in the colder months, when relying on fresh outside air is… well, quite optimistic.
1. Towel method: quick moisture absorption
The basic process is incredibly simple:
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- Take a piece of washed laundry that you have previously wrung out well in the washing machine (ideally at the highest spin speed).
- Place a large, dry, clean terry towel on a flat surface.
- Lay the garment on a towel and start rolling it up – similar to rolling up a roll or yoga mat.
- Squeeze the roll firmly with your hands. This will literally "squeeze" any extra moisture from the fabric that the towel will absorb.
- After unwinding, the laundry will be significantly less wet and ready for final drying on the rack.
This technique is particularly suitable for T-shirts, underwear, lighter sweaters and smaller textiles. It does not replace a dryer for large quantities of laundry, but is a great solution for smaller batches or emergencies.
2. Optimal conditions for drying laundry indoors
To get the most out of this process, ensure the appropriate conditions in the room:
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- Room temperature: ideally between 20–24 °C. Lower temperatures significantly slow down the drying process.
- Ventilation: Regularly opening windows, even if only for 5–10 minutes, allows moisture to escape and prevents condensation and mold growth.
- Air circulation: Fans or dehumidifiers can greatly speed up drying – especially if used occasionally in combination with this method.
- Laundry placement: Fold larger items (bedding, towels) in half and turn them over after a few hours so they dry evenly.
It is also recommended that laundry Dry during the day when air circulation is usually better – yes, even if it is raining outside. Drying at night without ventilation increases the risk of moisture accumulating in the apartment.
