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You’ve done the laundry — the washing machine has worked its magic, your detergent has left everything fresh and clean — but now comes the part many of us dread: drying and putting it all away.

Especially during the colder months, when drying clothes outside isn’t an option, the house can quickly feel taken over by damp laundry. Add in multiple family loads, and it can become a real challenge to stay on top of the laundry basket.

Here are some tried-and-tested tips for drying clothes efficiently indoors (and outdoors when the weather allows), while keeping your home tidy and your fabrics smelling fresh.

Drying Clothes Indoors: Smart Tips for Every Home

1. Choose the right spot
Heat rises, so upstairs spaces such as a landing can be ideal for air-drying laundry if you’ll be out for the day. The open space helps air circulate and speeds up drying. Avoid drying in the bathroom, where the high humidity can actually slow down the process.

2. Hang clothes neatly
The way you hang laundry can make ironing much easier later. Shirts on hangers, trousers pegged from the waistband, and clothes stretched straight will all dry with fewer creases. Large items such as towels or duvets should be opened out fully, turned partway through drying if needed.

3. Consider an electric heated airer
Covered heated airers have become a popular alternative to tumble dryers. They speed up drying, use less energy, and are easier on fabrics. The only downside? They can be bulky, so you’ll need enough space to store them.

4. Be careful with radiators
Placing clothes on radiators will dry them quickly, but do so sparingly. If the heating is on then a few items on an airer near the radiator or carefully draped will really speed up the drying process. Over-use can cause condensation and even black mould on walls or windowsills. If you notice any mould spots, wipe them away promptly to protect your home and your health.

Drying Clothes Outdoors: Freshness You Can’t Beat

When the weather improves, nothing beats line-drying. Fabrics of all kinds, especially towels, dry brilliantly in the moving fresh air. The airflow helps fibres soften naturally and prevents them from becoming stiff.

Tip: Always avoid drying laundry near strong odours (like barbecues, open fires, or even curry cooking). Just like wet hair, damp fabrics can easily absorb smells.

Protecting Fabric Fragrance

At Distinctive, we don’t recommend tumble drying — not only does it waste electricity, but it also reduces fragrance. Our designer laundry scents are designed to release when you wear your clothes, move about, and share hugs with loved ones. Tumble drying can disrupt this, leaving clothes less beautifully scented.

For the best results, air-dry your laundry and enjoy that lasting “you smell really nice” compliment we all love to hear.

Ironing and Putting Away

Ironing is easiest when clothes are just dry but still hold a little moisture. This makes fabrics smoother and quicker to press. The trick is getting it just right as you don’t want sheets to be at all damp when you fold them to put away. Once ironed, fold or hang clothing straight away to prevent more creasing — and to finally reclaim your home from the laundry pile!

Special Offer

Ready to upgrade your laundry routine? Use code AUTUMN15 for 15% off your next order in the Distinctive Wash shop – consider trying our Fabric and room sprays to boost fragrance as you iron and enjoy the luxury of designer fragrance on every wash.

✨ Key takeaway: Drying clothes well is about more than just getting them ready to wear. With the right methods, you’ll save time, protect your fabrics, and keep your home fresh and clutter-free.