Tips

7 Ways to Dry Clothes Quickly in Damp and Rainy Season

Putting clothes in the refrigerator, inside out... are two of many ways to help clothes dry quickly in humid, drizzly weather even if your home doesn't have a dryer.

Administrator

13 March, 2024

154

The weather is humid and drizzly, which makes clothes damp, slow to dry, and have an unpleasant odor. Not to mention that damp clothes can also promote the growth of bacteria and mold, which can affect our health. Here are some ways to help your clothes dry faster during the humid and drizzly season.

How to dry clothes quickly during the humid and drizzly season

Drying clothes during the humid season is a challenging task for many people. Damp clothes are prone to mold and not only have an unpleasant smell but can also cause health problems for the wearer. Here are some methods to help your clothes dry quickly during the humid and drizzly season.

Wash clothes with hot water

Washing clothes with hot water is a method to help your clothes dry quickly during the humid and drizzly season. (Image: Good Housekeeping)

To dry your clothes quickly, you can use a washing machine with a hot water setting. This will not only kill bacteria but also help your clothes dry faster as hot water evaporates faster during the drying process compared to cold water.

If you prefer handwashing, after washing, soak the clothes in warm water (around 60 – 70 degrees Celsius) for about 5 minutes, then squeeze out the excess water and hang them to dry as usual.

However, it is important to read the instructions on the clothing label as some fabrics may not tolerate high temperatures, which can cause them to shrink or be damaged.

Use fabric conditioner

Using a specialized fabric conditioner can help your clothes dry faster. Whether washing by hand or using a washing machine, fabric conditioner is an essential product during humid and drizzly weather. It helps make your clothes smell fresh, soft, and prevents fading, lint, and bacterial growth. Some fabric conditioners also have additional features that save time and enhance sun absorption, resulting in faster drying.

Hang clothes in the morning

Morning is the best time to hang clothes for quick drying. (Image: Real Simple)

The best time of the day to hang clothes during the humid season is early in the morning. This is when the weather is the nicest, the air is fresher, and the drying time is longer, ensuring even and thorough drying.

Many people believe that washing clothes in the evening saves time, but during the evening, there is no wind and sunlight, and the high humidity can cause the clothes to remain damp and develop an unpleasant odor.

Iron clothes before hanging

Ironing clothes before hanging is a method to help your clothes dry quickly during the humid and drizzly season. (Image: Polti)

This method may sound unconventional, but it is highly effective. Ironing your clothes before hanging them is one of the ways to dry them quickly and make them look neat.

After washing, lay the garment flat and use a dry iron or the dry ironing function to press the clothes. When the hot steam covers the clothes, you can hang them for quick drying.

Put clothes in the refrigerator

During drizzly and humid days, it can be challenging for clothes to dry quickly. If your clothes are still damp, you can expedite the drying process by folding them, placing them in a sealed plastic bag, and storing them in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator.

You only need to leave them there for 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the dampness of the clothes. This method works even better if you leave them overnight. In the morning, take the clothes out and use an iron to remove any leftover chill. This is a great method for days when there is little sunlight.

Hang clothes inside out

Hanging clothes inside out is a method to help your clothes dry quickly during the humid and drizzly season. (Image: Netweather)

When clothes are hung, water trapped in the fabric will evaporate through the process of permeation. This process is slower during humid days. Therefore, it is recommended to hang clothes inside out, especially for thick fabrics that are difficult to dry, such as leather, denim, and wool, to enhance the speed of evaporation and ensure faster drying.

Keep a distance when hanging clothes

Another method to help your clothes dry quickly during the humid and drizzly season is to hang the clothes at least 5cm apart. Keeping a distance between clothes allows sunlight and wind to directly reach the fabric fibers, facilitating faster drying. If clothes are hung in close proximity, the moist air can transfer from one garment to another, prolonging the drying time.

This method also helps prevent clothes from developing odors due to mold and dampness.

According to VTC News

Frequently asked questions

Ironing your clothes before hanging them is an effective way to dry them quickly. After washing, use a dry iron on the garments, and then hang them up. The hot steam from the iron will help speed up the drying process.

Yes, on humid days, you can expedite the drying process by placing damp clothes in a sealed plastic bag and storing them in the refrigerator’s freezer compartment. Leave them there for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results. In the morning, simply iron out any leftover chill.

To enhance evaporation and ensure faster drying, hang your clothes inside out, especially thicker fabrics like leather, denim, and wool. Also, maintain a distance of at least 5cm between each garment to allow sunlight and wind to reach the fabric fibers directly.