Cost-effective ways to dry your clothes in winter

Too cold or wet to get your clothes dry? Here are some useful hacks that will have your favourite outfits nice and toasty, without ruining them.

Laundry is a chore and drying on a wet day can leave you cold.

But rather than resorting to the tumble dryer, innovations are making drying clothes easier and far more cost-effective.

Drying clothes in winter can be soul destroying.

Sunny days come, but still clothes dangle on the clothesline, mocking our efforts with their silent drips.

For many, myself included, the tumble dryer is a must-have and I steadfastly ignore the science that I am tearing my clothes apart in the rush to get the job done.

Even if I am.

Here are a few helpful facts and hacks about saving your money, and your clothes, in winter.

Unfortunately, washing doesn’t stop to suit the weather.

Convenience that costs

Fun fact: the tumble dryer (a hand-turned ventilated drum positioned over a fire) was first invented by a Frenchman in 1799, making drying out those woollen stockings and pesky breeches a walk in the park – plus, people could cook dinner at the same time.

Now, tumble dryers seduce us into the quick dry.

According to the Canstar Blue Guide (2022), two loads a week in a vented dryer costs roughly $229 a year; a condenser dryer, $150.

Drying clothes by machine can be a costly exercise.

You can improve the length of the ‘tumble’ by increasing efficiency: keep lint traps empty, group similar weighted items in a load and keep the room ventilated.

Ventilation is important for other reasons.

According to the research paper Fragranced laundry products and emissions from dryer vents: implications for air quality and health, created for the Australian Government-funded Clean Air and Urban Landscapes, tumble dryer vents can emit air pollution due to fragrance additives, and may cause health problems such as respiratory distress through to migraines.

Nothing quite like freshly dried linen.

Don’t trash your investment

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Monthly Household Spending Indicator (February 2023) reveals we spend a whopping amount on clothes each year.

South Australia has the highest spend, with 28.1 per cent of its residents’ spending going to clothing, with Victoria spending less than half that at 13.4 per cent and New South Wales sitting well behind at just 8.4 per cent.

With interest rates gnawing at your savings, now is not the time to be shredding the wardrobe.

Keeping your clothes in good condition prevents against environmental waste.

Everything old is new – and improved – again

Brought back from the archives is the drying cabinet (which originated as a light bulb left on in a cupboard – absolutely true), where you can hang your clothes – especially heavy ones like jeans or jackets – for a long, slow dry.

Pros are less ironing, less energy use and they are kinder to clothes.

Con is the purchase cost, starting around $2500.

New to the game is the electric airer, which is pretty self-explanatory.

Retail starts around $80 and you have to pay for the electricity, but they are kind to clothes.

An expert on the subject is Sally Flower, of Home Sanctuary, trained by the famous organiser Marie Kondo.

V-Zug’s Refresh Butler is a modern take on an old classic.

She reminds us of the humble laundry airer.

“To maximise drying efficiency …(position) your airer in the warmest breezy spot. This could be under an open window, over an air vent or by an open door – all allowing for quality airflow,” says Flower.  

“Once you have found the best drying position, it’s time to get smarter with your washing days. Before rushing off to start another load, consult your weather app and opt for sunny, warmer days, if possible.”

Happily, airer aesthetics have improved.

The Hills Aluminium A-frame Airer now comes in girly rose pink and retails at just $90. Another upside? Winter woolly jumpers can be laid flat to dry naturally, then the airer can folded away.

Hills Aluminium A-frame Airer in rose gold.

Hacks to save your clothes

● Hang clothes inside-out when outside, to protect from fading.

● Add conditioner to every wash; it lessens drying time.

● Use tumble dryers on warm – ‘hot’ is for heavy items, not quick drying.

● When laying your woollens flat, arrange into the right shape first.

● Putting clothes through an extra spin cycle reduces dryer time.

● Line hang as long as possible and only use the dryer to finish.