Tips

Rainy Day Laundry Hack: Shorten Drying Time with Hidden Washer Button

Although this feature now comes standard on many washing machines, many users are unaware of its existence.

20 April, 2024

According to information from experts at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in the next 3 days (from April 8 to April 10), the capital Hanoi and some neighboring localities will experience cold air. The weather will be cloudy, with occasional drizzle, and no sunshine.

On days with this type of weather, one inconvenience for many families is drying clothes. However, there is a small button on modern washing machines that can solve this inconvenience. Many families use the machine every day but do not know about this feature. The feature in question is the wind drying feature.

Many modern washing machines are equipped with a feature that helps clothes dry faster, but many people do not know about it (Illustrative photo)

What is the wind drying feature of a washing machine?

Typically, basic washing machines will only have features such as standard wash, gentle wash, quick wash, and spin dry. After completing the washing machine cycle, users still need to hang or transfer clothes to another drying device to ensure that the clothes are thoroughly dried and optimized.

However, the wind drying feature has now been developed and is equipped on many types of modern, new-generation washing machines. This feature will help clothes that have been washed and spun to be dried relatively. This saves users time drying their clothes.

According to washing machine manufacturers and distributors, the wind drying feature is a feature that uses the airflow created by a jet fan inside the appliance. The wind speed at this time will reach up to 300km/hour, which allows clothes to be dried quickly inside the washing machine, taking only about 90 minutes for a load of 9-10kg of clothes.

The wind drying feature allows clothes to be dried inside the washing machine with a wind speed of up to 300km/hour (Illustrative photo)

Also, because it is dried by airflow rather than high heat like in conventional dryers or drying features, clothing in general or fabric fibers in particular will be better protected. Clothes will be less likely to crease or shrink during the drying process.

To use the wind drying feature, after completing the normal wash, rinse, and spin cycle, the user selects the “Wind drying” or “90-minute wind drying” button on their washing machine and presses start. When the cycle is complete, the washing machine will beep to let the user know that it is time to remove the clothes from the appliance. At this point, the user only needs to air dry the clothes for a few more hours and they will be completely dry regardless of the cold, rainy, or humid weather.

Users need to select the Wind Drying mode after completing the normal wash, rinse, and spin cycle (Illustrative photo)

Other measures that help clothes dry faster

In addition to using the wind drying feature available on modern washing machines, Cleanpedia – a specialized Unilever site – has provided some tips on other ways to dry clothes faster. Each method will have a different level of effectiveness. However, they are only relative and cannot be as good as specialized methods.

1. Use a hair dryer

The first method given by Cleanpedia is quite manual, which is to use a hair dryer. The method is that after washing, the user wrings out the water thoroughly to dry the clothes completely. Then use a hair dryer on high heat, moving the dryer around the garment to dry it. This method is considered to be time-consuming and labor-intensive, and is only suitable for a few small garments rather than large loads of clothes for the whole family.

Illustrative photo

2. Use a fan or air conditioner

Similar to a dryer, users can also use a fan to dry clothes faster. The optimal method recommended by many experienced users is to put wet clothes in a separate room and turn on the strongest fan, closing the door. This way, the clothes will be dried, and the fan’s cold wind will not affect other family members.

In addition to fans, air conditioners can also be used to dry clothes, especially those with two-way, heating mode air conditioners. Users only need to hang clothes in the room with the air conditioner on, for only a few hours or overnight, and the clothes will be dry.

Illustrative photo

3. Put clothes in the refrigerator

Few people know that putting damp, wet clothes in the refrigerator can dry them faster. Users should fold the undried clothes, then put them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. It is best to leave them overnight. The next morning, when the user takes the clothes out, iron them to get rid of the cold air.

In addition to the methods that use household items, Cleanpedia also provides additional tips when hanging clothes, such as hanging them upside down, shaking them vigorously, keeping space between garments, and hanging clothes in the morning…

Synthesis

Frequently asked questions

One common inconvenience during such weather is drying clothes. However, modern washing machines offer a convenient solution with their wind drying feature, which many users might be unaware of. This feature helps accelerate the drying process, saving time and effort.

The wind drying feature is a modern addition to washing machines, designed to help dry clothes faster. It utilizes a powerful airflow created by a jet fan inside the machine, reaching wind speeds of up to 300km/hour. This feature ensures that a load of 9-10kg of clothes can be dried within approximately 90 minutes.

The wind drying feature offers several advantages. Firstly, it protects clothing and fabric fibers better than conventional dryers or drying methods that use high heat. Secondly, it reduces the likelihood of creasing or shrinking during the drying process. Additionally, it saves time and provides convenience, especially in cold, rainy, or humid weather conditions.

After completing the normal wash, rinse, and spin cycle, simply select the “Wind Drying” or “90-minute Wind Drying” button on your washing machine and press start. Once the cycle is complete, the machine will beep, indicating that it’s time to remove and air-dry your clothes for a few more hours until they are entirely dry.

Yes, Cleanpedia, a specialized Unilever site, offers the following suggestions:

Use a hairdryer on high heat, but this method is time-consuming and only suitable for a few small garments.
Utilize a fan or air conditioner to dry clothes faster. Place wet clothes in a separate room with the strongest fan turned on, or hang clothes in a room with an air conditioner, especially one with a heating mode.
Try an unusual method by putting clothes in the refrigerator. Fold undried clothes, place them in a plastic bag, and put them in the freezer compartment overnight. In the morning, iron them to remove any cold air.