Speed Up Drying with a Dry Towel

While there isn't a clear, documented origin for this tip, it has been passed down through generations as a practical household trick. It likely emerged from the collective wisdom of homemakers and laundry enthusiasts seeking ways to make their chores more efficient. The idea has been popularized in recent years through various home improvement blogs, laundry care articles, and social media posts.

How Does It Work? The science behind this hack is straightforward:

• Moisture Absorption: When you add a dry towel to a load of wet clothes, the towel quickly absorbs some of the moisture from the wet items. This absorption reduces the overall moisture level inside the dryer, which in turn allows the machine to dry the clothes more quickly.
• Improved Air Circulation: The towel also helps to separate the clothes in the dryer, preventing them from clumping together. This increased separation allows hot air to circulate more freely and evenly, which improves the drying efficiency.
• Enhanced Heat Distribution: The towel can also help to distribute the heat more evenly across the load, ensuring that all items dry at a similar rate.

Steps to Use This Tip:

1. Start the Dryer: Load your wet clothes into the dryer as usual.

2. Add a Dry Towel: Take a clean, dry towel and toss it into the dryer along with your wet laundry.

3. Dry for 15 Minutes: Run the dryer for the first 15 minutes with the towel included. The towel will help absorb some of the moisture and reduce the overall drying time.

4. Remove the Towel: After about 15 minutes, open the dryer and remove the towel. By this time, the towel will have absorbed a significant amount of moisture.

5. Continue Drying: Close the dryer and continue the cycle until the rest of the laundry is fully dry.

Are There Any Negatives? While this tip is generally effective, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Over-Drying the Towel: If you leave the towel in for too long, it could over-dry and potentially become rough. Removing it after the initial 15 minutes helps prevent this.
• Additional Load: If you’re drying delicate fabrics or lightweight items, adding a large towel might be too heavy for the load. In these cases, use a smaller towel or avoid the tip altogether to prevent damage to delicate items.
• Dryer Capacity: If you’re drying a full load, make sure your dryer isn’t too packed. The towel needs space to move around and absorb moisture effectively, so it works best with medium-sized loads.