Drying Guide: How Long Does Washing Take to Dry Outside?
This is a question that many people have, and the answer may surprise you. In this article, we will discuss how long it takes for different types of clothes to dry outside. We will also talk about the benefits of drying clothes outdoors, as well as some tips on how to do it properly!
Drying washing outside, how long does it take?
If you’re thinking should I hang my clothes out today and will my washing dry today, it’s first worth thinking about the how long it will typically take for laundry to dry outside and the factors that go into it.
On a hot sunny day, it should only take around two to three hours for your clothes to dry completely. However, if it’s a cloudy day or the temperature is cooler, it can take up to six hours or sometimes much longer if the air is very wet.
Of course, the type of clothing you’re drying will also play a role in how long it takes to air dry. For example, thicker items like jeans or towels will take longer to dry than thinner items like shirts or skirts. So if you have a mixed load, make sure to check the thicker items before taking them down as the thinner items may be completely dry when the others could still be slightly damp.
Another factor to consider is how windy it is outside. If there’s a strong breeze, your clothes will dry faster than if it’s completely still. The reason for this is that the wind helps to circulate the air around your clothes and speeds up the evaporation process. This means even if the sun isn’t completely out, your clothes can still dry fairly quickly if there’s a good breeze.
So, if you’re wondering how long washing can take to dry outside, the answer depends on a few different factors. However, in general, you can expect it to take two to six hours for your clothes to dry completely if the weather is relatively good. Before you start hanging anything up it’s worth checking the weather forecast first.
What are the benefits of drying clothes outdoors?
There are many benefits of drying clothes outdoors that you may not have considered. For example, did you know that hanging your laundry out to dry can actually save you money?
That’s right – by air drying your clothes instead of using a dryer, you can save money on your energy bill. Additionally, it’s better for the environment since you’re not using as much electricity.
Not to mention, drying clothes outdoors gives them a fresh smell that you just can’t get from using a dryer. And if you live in an area with high humidity, hanging your clothes outside to dry can help prevent mildew and mould growth.
So, there are many reasons why you should consider air drying your laundry instead of using a dryer. Not only is it more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly, but it also leaves your clothes smelling fresher and helps prevent mould growth!
How to properly hang clothes out to dry?
One of the most important things you can do to speed up the drying process is to make sure your clothes are properly hung out to dry. This means not crowding the washing line and giving each item enough space to breath.
You should also avoid hanging wet items directly on top of each other as this can prevent proper airflow and increase drying time.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure your clothes are not hanging in direct sunlight as this can cause them to fade. The best place to hang your laundry is in a shady spot where there’s plenty of airflow.
What type of washing line is best for drying clothes?
The type of line you use can also affect how quickly your clothes dry. For example, a rotary washing line will offer a greater amount of area for hanging clothes than a traditional single line and will rotate with the wind meaning your clothes dry faster due to more air being able to pass through the clothes aiding the evaporation process.
However, rotatory lines will often take up more overall space than single line or retractable ones, so it is worth bearing in mind the size of the space you have outside.
On the whole, using a clothesline with multiple tiers whether it’s a rotary or multi line retractable, is definitely recommended as it can also help speed up the drying process as it allows more air to circulate around your clothes.
When is the best time to hang out washing?
The best time to hang out your washing is in the morning so that it has all day to dry. However, if you’re hanging laundry on a windy day, it’s best to do it in the late afternoon or evening so that your clothes don’t blow away!
Can you dry clothes outside in rain?
No, you cannot dry clothes outside in the rain. The water will cause the fabric to become wrinkled and could damage the clothing. If you must dry your clothes outside, wait for a sunny day with low humidity. Line drying is best on days when the temperature is between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. Although the minimum temperature you can dry at can be lower, just as long as it’s not so low your clothes freeze, obviously.
Can your dry washing outside in cold winter months?
Now this really depends, obviously in freezing temperatures your clothes are going to dry as they’ll freeze, however is can still be possibly to dry your clothes in cold weather if placed on washing lines. This is because the fresh air and breeze can help the clothes to loose their moisture, even when the temperature isn’t very high. It is also better to aim for day when the sun is out as the UV rays can help penetrate the clothes fibres and also assist in the drying process.
If you’re wondering what temp outside is need to dry washing, as long as the temperature is above freezing you clothes should dry. The cold the temperature and the more moisture in the air, the longer it will take though.
How to dry clothes indoors without a tumble dryer?
When it’s raining or too cold outside for your clothes to dry but the laundry has been building up, we need to look for ways to dry laundry inside instead.
A tumble dryer can be a fantastic way of drying clothes inside, but they do take up space, and can be more costly in both the purchasing and on going cost.
So in case you don’t have a tumble dryer, here’s some alternative ways to get your clothes dry indoors:
Use a drying rack:
A drying rack is a great way to dry clothes indoors without using a tumble dryer. You can buy them cheaply from most homeware stores, and they take up very little space. Simply hang your clothes on the rack, and they should be dry within a few hours (depending on how wet they are).
When getting a drying rack of clothes horse it’s also worth considering the typical load size of your washing as some will provide more space for clothes hanging than others.
Use an electric clothes airer:
An electric clothes airer is another great way to dry clothes indoors. They work by blowing hot dry air through the wet clothes, and can usually dry a load of laundry in around four hours. Or if you choose to dry partly outside you could put any remaining damp clothes on the airer quickly to remove any further excess moisture before you fold and put them away.
Heated airers are a great way to dry clothes indoors, but they can sometimes lead to an increased level of moisture in the air which if ignored or not ventilated could lead to mould or damp. If this could potentially affect your home, we’d recommend checking out a dehumidifier for drying clothes instead. These can work particularly well with normal drying racks and if you do have any mould or damp, a dehumidifier can really help in clearing that up as well.
Use your oven:
If you’re really desperate, you can use your oven to dry your clothes! Simply set the oven to its lowest setting (around 50 degrees Celsius) and hang your clothes inside. This will take a few hours, so make sure you keep an eye on them to avoid any accidents.
Final thoughts
Drying your clothes outside is a great way to save money on your energy bills, and it’s also much better for the environment. However, it’s important to make sure you do it correctly to avoid any damage to your clothes.
I hope this article has helped you understand a bit more about outdoor drying, and how to do it effectively, as well provide you with some alternative methods for those rainy days.
