With the drop in temperatures and the increase in humidity, drying freshly washed clothes becomes one of the biggest household challenges.
The technique of “rolled towel” It has become popular because it does not require devices, does not consume energy and can be applied to practically all types of clothing, even sheets.
The challenge of drying clothes in autumn and winter
Washing clothes is usually not a problem: you put it in the washing machine, add detergent and the appliance does the heavy lifting. The real headache begins later, when it is time to lay indoors.
In autumn and winter, clothes They may take 48 to 72 hours to dry, which generates accumulation of wet clothes and bad odors.
Folding clotheslines are a practical and economical solution, but they require time and a well-ventilated space. Now, when temperatures are still far from reaching the annual minimums and the heating has not been turned on, the wait can feel eternal.
For this reason, laundry experts insist on applying small tricks that speed up the process. without making bills more expensive.
What is the towel trick?
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The towel method is based on a simple idea: take advantage of the absorbent capacity of a dry towel to remove some of the moisture from the freshly washed garment before laying it out. By reducing the amount of water retained, subsequent drying is much faster.
The procedure is simple:
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Spread a large, completely dry towel on a flat surface.
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Place wet clothes that you want to dry quickly on top.
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Roll the towel together with the clothes.
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Gently press or twist the roll from the ends to allow the towel to absorb excess water.
In some cases you can add sheets of kitchen paper to the folds to capture even more moisture. The result is a garment that, when hung later, you will need fewer hours to be ready.
What clothes benefit the most from the trick?
The small parts such as t-shirts, underwear or sportswear respond especially well to this technique.
But it can also be applied to more voluminous garments, such as jeans or sweatshirts, They tend to retain a lot of water and take longer to dry.
Even the sheets and duvet covers can undergo this method. In this case, it is advisable to roll them up neatly on a large towel and, after removing most of the moisture, shake them well before hanging them out. This will allow the fibers to separate and air to circulate between them.
Additional tips to enhance drying
With this simple trick you will save space on the folding clothesline.
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In addition to the towel trick, textile care specialists recommend some simple habits to speed up the process at home:
- Shake the clothes well before hanging them. This helps the fibers not to become clumped and allows air to circulate better.
- Use hangers for shirts, t-shirts and dresses. This prevents excessive contact with other garments, reduces the risk of wrinkles and the garment receives air from all sides.
- Take advantage of the warmest hours of the day. Laying it down in the morning, near a window or in a ventilated room, improves evaporation.
- Do not saturate the clothesline. The more space there is between clothes, the faster they will dry.
- If you have a radiator at home, you can place the clothesline one meter away, never on top, to avoid bad odors or damaging the fabrics, but close enough to take advantage of the ambient heat.
These small gestures, combined with the towel technique, can reduce drying time by almost half compared to hanging clothes directly after spinning.
a bowl of coarse salt to enhance drying
A natural trick that can give you a plus when drying your clothes and bedding at home is to place a container with coarse salt or rice near the clothesline.
These ingredients act as homemade dehumidifiers, absorbing part of the humidity from the air and preventing the room from becoming saturated with steam. Thus, the clothes not only dry faster, but also retain a fresh smell.
Benefits beyond time
The towel trick not only allows you to have your clothes ready sooner, it also helps keep the home environment healthier.
Reducing the humidity of clothing decreases the likelihood of buildup. unpleasant odors or that is generated Condensation on walls and windows.
Furthermore, as it does not require artificial heat or electrical devices, it becomes a sustainable and economical option, ideal in a context in which energy savings are sought for both climatic and economic reasons.