Nothing is more frustrating than putting laundry in the dryer and, after a cycle, finding they’re still wet. This could be due to a fault with your dryer or using the incorrect settings. So, how long do clothes take to dry?
Clothes take between 15 minutes and 24 hours (or more) to dry. This depends on your drying method, your clothing’s fabric, and how many other items you’re trying to dry. If you’re air drying your clothes, it can also depend on your home’s light and humidity conditions.
In this article, I’ll discuss various ways to dry your clothing and the drying times that come with each method. Let’s dive right in!
How Long Do Clothes Take To Dry?
Clothes can take one or multiple cycles in a dryer to dry fully. How long it takes depends on your dryer’s cycle length, the type of clothes you’re trying to dry, and whether or not the dryer is functioning properly.
After washing your clothes, one dryer cycle is usually 45 to 60 minutes, which is generally enough to dry most clothing items. However, if you overload your dryer, you may need to run another cycle or separate the load.
If you’re drying only a few items, it may take only 15 minutes to dry them, depending on the fabric. It might take about 2 dryer cycles to dry entirely if you’re trying to dry very thick clothing such as wool.
You should always check the tags on your clothes to see the best way to dry that item. This can help you in the long run for optimal drying and to ensure you don’t shrink any clothing.
It’s also worth ensuring that your dryer is functioning optimally. If you notice that it’s taking more than 1 cycle to dry your clothes, the dryer may have a worn-out or faulty part.
How Long Does It Take for Clothes To Air Dry?
It can take between 1 hour and 24 hours (or more) to air dry clothes. This depends on the fabric of your clothes and the humidity and light conditions where you’re trying to dry the clothing.
For instance, if you’re drying your clothes outside on the line and the weather is warm and sunny, you can expect them to be completely dry within a few hours. In contrast, if it’s cloudy and humid, your clothes will take longer because there’s moisture in the air and not enough heat from the sun. You can still dry them this way, but it will increase the drying time.
The number of items can also affect your air drying time, and if you pack your clothesline with wet clothing, the sunlight and heat won’t be able to distribute evenly if they overlap on the clothesline.
Make sure you spread out your clothes so that there’s an inch or 2 (2.54-5.08 cm) between articles of clothing.
The type of clothing will always affect drying time so keep that in mind. Items such as silk or cotton can dry in 45 minutes to 4 hours. On the other hand, denim, thick wool, and heavy linen will take longer and can take around 24 hours to dry fully. These thicker fabrics hold onto the water from the washer, which takes longer to evaporate.
How Can I Get My Clothes To Dry Faster?
You can get your clothes to dry faster by ensuring that your washer spins the laundry properly, drying smaller loads, and adding a dry towel to the dryer. You might also consider using a dryer ball.
If you’re drying particularly heavy clothing, consider running them through your washer’s spin cycle again to remove the excess moisture.
The fewer clothes in your dryer, the quicker they will dry. For instance, if you only have five items in the dryer, they will be more exposed to the dryer’s heat and dry faster. However, if you’re only drying 20 items, each item will have less exposure to the heat.
According to Whirlpool, you can place a dry towel in the dryer with your clothes. This will help to absorb the moisture and speed up the drying process.
Is It OK To Dry Clothes Indoors?
It is okay to dry clothes indoors, but it usually takes longer than drying them in a dryer. If you want to dry your clothes indoors, ensure that the room is well-ventilated, has plenty of light, and has low humidity.
Here are some helpful tips if you want to dry your clothes inside:
- If the air outside is dry and humid, open a window.
- Consider using a dehumidifier in the room.
- Place the wet clothes close to an air vent or space heater.
- Use a fan in the same room.
Will My Clothes Dry Overnight?
Your clothes can dry overnight under the right conditions. If you hang them outside, ensure that it won’t rain overnight and that the air is dry. Your clothes may dry overnight indoors if the room is well-ventilated with low humidity.
Dry, warm, and windy conditions are ideal for drying clothing outdoors overnight, while warm and airy rooms are conducive to drying clothes faster indoors. It’s worth checking the weather forecast before you hang your clothes outdoors because you need to be sure that it won’t rain and that morning dew is unlikely.
Another factor to consider is how safe it is to hang your clothes outside. If you live in an unsafe neighborhood, you risk having your clothes stolen overnight.
Lightweight clothing is more likely to dry overnight than heavier items, such as wool or thick linens.
Final Thoughts
Clothes can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours or more to dry. If you dry your clothes in a dryer, it can take as little as 15 minutes to an hour for them to dry thoroughly.
How long it takes to air dry your clothes depends on a number of factors:
- The humidity levels
- Airflow around the clothes
- How many items you’re drying
- Your clothes’ fabric
