How to Air Dry Clothes and Linens: Dos and Don’ts

High-speed spin cycles extract more water, shortening the time needed to dry garments. Place racks near windows or vents, use fans to promote airflow, and keep clothes spaced apart. In warmer months, hanging laundry outside under the sun and breeze can be a delight. This time-honored technique not only curbs energy waste but also gently preserves fabric integrity, preventing shrinkage, color fading, and mechanical wear. Over a year, a typical household can accumulate roughly 2000 kWh of dryer energy consumption—enough to light dozens of homes.
One such practice is air drying laundry, which involves hanging wet clothes outdoors or indoors to dry naturally. To keep your dry clothes crisp and clean, fold them as you pull them from the drying rack or clothesline and put them away immediately. To stave off the stiffness that can occur on air-dried clothing and linens, give each piece a good shake before hanging it on the line or drying rack. When air drying clothes indoors, forget about hanging your knit sweaters from a clothesline or indoor rack; it will lead to saggy shoulders and misshapen sleeves.
The intense heat can cause garments to shrink, fade, or wear out quickly. By opting for air drying, people can reduce their electricity bills and save money in the long run. Electric dryers contribute to a significant portion of household energy consumption. Let’s explore the pros and cons of air drying laundry to determine whether anyone still engages in this time-honored method. However, amidst growing environmental concerns and a desire for cost savings, some individuals are embracing the age-old practice.

Airflow hacks that prevent mildew (and speed drying)

You might also find that simply seeing freshly hung clothes around your living space adds a peaceful, homey ambiance. Reducing dryer use and air drying garments extends their lifespan by eliminating harsh tumbling and high heat exposure. This closed-loop heat exchange technology delivers 20–60% energy savings compared to conventional models and reduces wear on fabrics. Maximize spin speed efficiency by following care labels for delicate items and separating heavy towels from lightweight synthetics.
To boost spin efficiency, avoid overloaded drums and select the highest spin speed compatible with your fabrics. Air drying has minimal upfront costs, such as a drying rack or hangers, while a dryer can cost between $300 and $1,500. With just a little planning and the right techniques you can enjoy the benefits of fresher laundry and lower utility bills. Supporting this practice promotes sustainability and conserves valuable resources, benefiting both you and the planet. Let’s explore the potential savings and benefits of this eco-friendly practice together. It’s funny how some old habits, like does anyone still have a landline, stick around because they still offer simple, reliable benefits — just like air drying laundry.
Unless the forecast calls for a summer scorcher, it’s going to take longer for clothes to air-dry than to dry in your machine. Air-drying these types of garments can leave them lumpy or misshapen. The tumbling action helps restore down to a fully fluffy state.

• Moisture tends to settle at the bottom of heavy fabrics.
• Air drying has minimal upfront costs, such as a drying rack or hangers, while a dryer can cost between $300 and $1,500.
• To stave off the stiffness that can occur on air-dried clothing and linens, give each piece a good shake before hanging it on the line or drying rack.
• By reducing energy consumption and minimizing carbon footprint, you contribute to a greener planet with each load.
• The tumbling action helps restore down to a fully fluffy state.
• This time-honored technique not only curbs energy waste but also gently preserves fabric integrity, preventing shrinkage, color fading, and mechanical wear.
• Turn garments over once or twice as they dry to speed up the process and maintain even drying.

DO use plastic hangers.

Knowing the differences helps you make informed decisions about your laundry routine. Air drying clothes offers distinct financial benefits compared to using a dryer. Hanging clothes outside or in a well-ventilated space can speed up the process. Furthermore, minimizing energy consumption lowers overall utility bills, translating to more savings.

If you can’t put up a clothesline, consider using an indoor drying rack to hang clothes in the laundry room. In addition to choosing ENERGY STAR® models, you should consider a front-loading washer, which uses about 45% less energy and 50% less water than top-loading models. One load of laundry with an ENERGY STAR® machine can cost as little as a quarter, adding up to a savings of over $100 a year. When it’s time for an upgrade, purchase an ENERGY STAR®-certified model to help cut energy costs. That way, you can wash all hot-water laundry in one load and use cold for everything else.

• This is because a faster spin cycle will draw more water out of your clothes, resulting in less drying time when you transfer the load to the dryer.
• Unless the forecast calls for a summer scorcher, it’s going to take longer for clothes to air-dry than to dry in your machine.
• By taking advantage of this method you not only cut down on electricity costs but also extend the life of your garments.
• Yes, air drying reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the need for a dryer.
• Reducing dryer use and air drying garments extends their lifespan by eliminating harsh tumbling and high heat exposure.
• When air-drying dark or bright garments outside, the rack or clothesline should be in a shaded but warm spot, preferably with a slight breeze for better airflow.

DON’T forget to turn on a fan if you’re air-drying indoors.

Wipe your outdoor clothesline clean of dust and bird droppings before hanging freshly laundered garments, linens, and towels. Each of these steps helps reduce energy consumption per load, saving you money and extending the life of your dryer. Your garments soak up fresh air, and natural sunlight helps sanitize and whiten white fabrics. This eco-friendly practice minimizes waste and helps protect waterways from dryer lint pollution. You might need a drying rack or some hangers, depending on your space. By reducing energy consumption and minimizing carbon footprint, you contribute to a greener planet with each load.
Instead, lay sweaters, jackets, and heavy knit shirts on a flat rack like this easy-to-fold, mesh drying rack from OXO Good Grips. That way, you can make the most efficient use of space on the line. This 2-level drying rack from SONGMICS was the top pick in our researched guide to the best clothes drying racks. If you suffer from hay fever or other pollen-based allergies, it’s wise to avoid drying clothing outside on days when pollen counts are high. It clips right to your clothesline, belt loop, or drying rack. Once you confirm that you’re in the clear, follow these dos and don’ts for great results.
If you wincrown wash five loads a week, that translates to savings of $1.50 to $5.00 monthly or $18 to $60 annually. Depending on your local rates, using a dryer can add $0.15 to $0.50 to your bill per load. These include energy costs and the time and convenience involved in this practice. When deciding whether air drying clothes saves money, several crucial factors come into play.