Maximise the spin cycle
Before you start drying, give your laundry a head start. Use the highest spin speed your fabrics can handle to remove as much water as possible. The drier your clothes are coming out of the washing machine, the less work your dryer has to do.
Clean the lint filter
A quick clean of the lint filter makes a big difference. When it’s clogged, airflow is restricted, which slows drying and uses more energy. Ideally, give it a clean after every load.
Dry like, with like
Group similar fabrics together. Heavier items take longer to dry, so mixing them with lighter pieces can leave you with some items overdone and others still damp.
Give clothes a shake
Before loading the dryer, give each item a quick shake. It helps separate fabrics, reduces tangles, and allows warm air to circulate more evenly.
Throw in the towel
Toss a dry towel in with your load. It will absorb some of the moisture and speed up drying. If you're only drying a couple of things, remove it after around five minutes. If it's a full load, leave the towel in there for around 15 minutes. The towel should only feel a bit damp when you pull it out, and you can just hang it up to air dry.
Think small
Dry smaller loads to give the warm air more room to circulate. Overloading your dryer can slow down the drying process. Smaller loads dry faster and more evenly.
Dryer balls
Using dryer balls or wool balls can also help speed up drying time. They work like the tennis balls by creating gaps between clothes and improving air circulation. Plus, they can help reduce static and soften fabrics naturally.
Don't add wet clothes
Adding freshly washed clothes to a partially dry load will slow everything down. The drier items will reabsorb moisture, meaning the whole load takes longer.
Make the most of residual heat
If you have multiple loads, dry them back-to-back. This way, the second load will benefit from the residual heat of the previous load, reducing overall drying time.
Air dry when you can
Even in wet weather, a clothes airer inside or under cover can take the edge off. Let items partially dry before finishing them in the dryer – it reduces overall drying time and gives your appliance a bit of a break.
