If you have your own outside space, you might get a weird sense of satisfaction when you dry clothes outside. When they’re on the washing line, they’re not cluttering up your living room or getting in your way when you’re trying to take a shower.
Drying clothes outside can also make your clothes smell better, reduce your energy bills and lower your chances of getting mould in your home.
But when winter rolls around, many people abandon their washing lines and stick to throwing their wet washing on drying racks instead.
They assume their laundry will stay wet on their washing line in winter but is there any truth to this? Do clothes dry outside in winter? Read on to find out.
Will laundry dry outside in winter?
Yes. Laundry will dry outside in winter. It just requires a more planning and patience than it does in the summer.
Ideally, look out for days that are dry, sunny and have a bit of a breeze. As long as it’s not so windy that your clothes get blown off the line, a good breeze will help speed up the drying process.
How to dry clothes outside in winter
Drying your clothes typically depends on three things:
- Time
- Temperature
- Moisture (well, a lack of it)
When you dry your clothes outside in the summer, temperature teamed with a lack of moisture is on your side.
If you want to dry your clothes outside in winter, however, you need more time because there’s less heat and more moisture in the air.
Hang clothes out early in the morning
When drying your clothes outside in winter, hang them out as early as possible so they have more time to dry in daylight. Leaving clothes out overnight is unlikely to do them any harm but they might not make much progress. Imagine how disappointed you’d be if you woke up to discover it had rained overnight!
Use the fastest spin cycle on your washing machine
A faster spin cycle will withdraw more water from your clothes, meaning they won’t be quite as wet when you remove them from the washing machine.
Plan your laundry days based on the weather forecast
Check the weather forecast every few days and plan your laundry days around the results. If the weather’s going to be nice on Wednesday and Thursday but awful on Friday onwards, try to get as much done on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning as possible.
Use your washing machine’s spin setting
If your washing machine has a spin setting, make the most of it during the winter. Most machines have spin settings that are about 10 minutes long. They’ll usually remove a lot of the water from your clothes for you. It’s surprising how much difference this can make and how much quicker you can dry clothes outside.
Use a towel to remove as much moisture as possible
Before hanging your clothes outside, roll each item up in a towel to soak up as much moisture as possible. By rolling them up together and squeezing them, some of the moisture should come out of your clothes and transfer over to the towel. If you’re very busy, this trick might not be worth the hassle, but it can be a clever move to speed up the outdoor drying process.
Spread your clothes out
Whether you’re pegging your clothes on the line or hanging them on a drying rack outside, spread your clothes out so they aren’t too close together. This should speed things up a bit more.
Protect your clothes from the rain
There’s nothing more frustrating than putting your clothes out to dry early in the morning only for rain to undo all your progress in the afternoon. If you’re able to protect clothes from the rain with a large garden umbrella or gazebo, this can make a huge difference. You’ll be able to make the most of the breeze and sunshine without having to look out the window every 20 minutes to see how grey the clouds are.
Use a drying rack to save time
If you’re stuck for time or you think it might rain, putting your washing on a drying rack and sticking it outside could save you a lot of hassle. You won’t have to spend ages pegging your washing out and if it starts to chuck it down, it only takes a few seconds to bring your washing back in.
How long does it take to dry clothes outside?
In summer, you can dry clothes outside in as little as a few hours, but in winter it can take a good 12 hours or even longer. You might have to finish the drying process indoors but you can protect your home from damp and keep the air fresh by removing as much moisture as possible outside.
Do clothes dry faster inside during winter?
Your clothes will probably dry faster inside during winter as long as you have the heating on or a window open to let a breeze in. If your home is cold and there’s no breeze, it could take days for your clothes to dry.
If you’re trying to save money by not using your dryer, hanging your clothes in front of a window or above a radiator could speed it up the drying process. Whatever you do, don’t put clothes on top of an electric heater or a storage heater. I learned this the hard way. Not only did I burn my leggings, I also managed to dye the heater the same colour.
What is the best temperature to dry clothes outside?
There is no correct temperature to dry clothes outside but obviously the warmer it is, the faster the process.
Is it better to dry clothes inside or outside?
In general, it’s better to dry clothes outside rather than inside because you’ll save money, lower your energy consumption, your clothes will smell better and you’ll reduce the chances of your home getting mouldy. However, in winter it’s okay to admit defeat and dry your clothes inside if it’s extremely cold and damp outside. Make the most of sunny and warmer winter days when possible.
