How to make clothes dry faster

You’ve just finished a wash, but you don’t have hours to wait for your clothes to dry. Maybe you need a shirt ready for work, or your children’s school uniforms have to be clean and wearable the same day.  

The question is simple: how to make clothes dry faster without damaging them? The answer lies in a mix of smart washing, clever drying techniques, and making the most of airflow. 

Start at the washing machine 

Drying begins before your clothes even leave the washer. 

Use the highest spin cycle – The faster your washing machine spins, the more water is extracted. Less moisture means faster drying. 

Don’t overload the drum – Overfilled washes keep clothes wetter. Give your laundry space to spin properly. 

Run an extra spin – If you know you’ll need your clothes quickly, add one more spin cycle to wring out excess water. 

Use the towel method for quick moisture removal 

One of the fastest tricks is the towel method: 

Lay a large dry towel flat. 

Place your damp garment on top. 

Roll them together like a burrito and press firmly (you can even step on it for extra pressure). 

Unroll and hang the item — it will be noticeably drier and ready to air-dry much faster. 

This works especially well for lighter clothes like T-shirts, sports gear, or delicate fabrics. 

Boost airflow indoors 

Air circulation is the secret to drying clothes quickly without heat damage. 

Use a drying rack in a well-ventilated room. A model like the Vileda Infinity Flex gives extra hanging space for large loads and keeps clothes well-spaced for airflow. 

Position near a window or open door to let fresh air move through. 

Place a fan or ceiling fan nearby. The constant air movement speeds up evaporation. 

Add a dehumidifier if drying indoors. By pulling moisture out of the air, it accelerates drying and prevents musty smells. 

Use heat carefully 

Heat can help, but it needs to be controlled: 

Hang near a radiator or other safe heat source, leaving enough distance so the clothes don’t burn or shrink. 

Iron with a towel – Place a dry towel over damp clothes and gently iron. The towel absorbs moisture while the heat finishes the job. 

Hairdryer trick – For small patches (like shirt sleeves or collars), use a hairdryer on medium heat, keeping it moving to avoid damage. 

Outdoor drying tips 

When the weather allows, sun and wind are unbeatable. Hang clothes outside, spacing them out so air can circulate on all sides. Shake garments before hanging to release wrinkles and extra water. For heavy items like jeans, hang them upside down by the cuffs for faster results. 

Learning how to make clothes dry faster is about combining the right steps: remove as much water as possible early on, then create airflow and, when safe, add a little heat. With the right tools — like a sturdy Vileda drying rack — you’ll save time, avoid damp smells, and always have fresh clothes ready when you need them.