Dryer Tip

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Dryer Tip

Submitted by: anonymous 12/26/2008 6:53 PM

I always have a bathtowel in my clothes dryer--always. A towel in the dryer cuts down dryer time. It absorbs extra moisture out of the clothes and the time it cuts down in drying time can be 1/3-1/2. Try it!

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Comments:

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I tried this and I can't seem to see any savings, maybe I'm doing something wrong?

Posted by Debbie P. on January 11, 2009 4:36 PM

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I tried it and did find that my dryer time was shorter. Now I keep a clean hand towel on top of the dryer and just toss it in. Thanks!

Posted by anonymous on January 11, 2009 5:25 PM

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I wouldn't want the lint from the towel to transfer on my non towel items.

Posted by Linda in Memphis on January 15, 2009 1:49 PM

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I just use an old towel that does have much fluff left on it, so not a lot of lint to rub off. For whites I use a white towel and for darks a blue towel.

Posted by KReed on January 16, 2009 11:59 AM

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I like dryer balls better

Posted by anonymous on January 20, 2009 6:12 PM

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If you can stand the noise, 6 tennis balls work well. They also fluff up down coats

Posted by james77777 on January 23, 2009 2:38 PM

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I don't think dryer balls serve the same purpose.

Posted by anonymous on January 23, 2009 2:45 PM

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You can use normal tennis balls too. (instead of dryer balls)

Posted by anonymous on January 23, 2009 2:46 PM

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Careful of the tennis balls...they can cause damage over time, especially if you're running very heavy loads.

Posted by autismama on January 23, 2009 5:53 PM

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towel in the dryer has cut my drying time almost in half

Posted by Lauri on January 23, 2009 7:55 PM

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You can save yourself having to have your heating element replaced by making sure that your lintscreen is cleaned. Tip is take your lintscreen out of the dryer and over the sink, pour water on to the screen, if water goes thru quick not a problem, if it doesn't clean with a plastic brush (like a vegetable brush) and soapy water. Keep doing until all water runs thru smoothly. If you use dryer sheets the stuff on the sheets that makes clothes come out smelling nice and almost static free is whata clogs up your lintscreen.

Posted by anonymous on January 23, 2009 7:59 PM

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towels in the dryer will also wear out your clothes faster and cause some fabrics to "pill"

Posted by casch on January 23, 2009 9:47 PM

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I use a wooden clothes rack - baught it at WalMart for under $10 and use it for almost all my clothes, the only thing that goes in the dryer are towels, undergarments and socks. In the winter I place the clothes rack by a heater and in the summer I place it on the deck. That is a great energy saver for me!

Posted by Rana on January 24, 2009 9:01 PM

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Use an old rag or wash cloth with about 1 tablespoon of liquid fabric softener on it, instead of dryer sheets. The dryer sheets contain particles of fiberglass that imbed in you clothing and irritate sensitive skin. Use the same cloth every time with less and less liquid. This is much better for your dryer too

Posted by Cindy on January 24, 2009 10:05 PM

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I also use the wood clothes racks year round. In addition I hang pjs, khakis & jeans on hangers. When they are dry they are put in the dryer for 10 minutes to fluff. Also hubby's dress shirts are put on hangers then the garments are spray starched and pressed. By hanging the clothes in the house during the winter humidity is added to the dry air which is an added benefit.

Would like to have a regular clothes lines but our homeowner's association does not allow.
Sheets hung up to dry outdoors smell great!

Posted by Carol on January 24, 2009 11:08 PM

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I use the towel in the jean load, it really helped. I never put my undergarment in the dryer, it damages the rubber in elastic, I air dry the undergarments.

Posted by Sherri St. Antoine on January 25, 2009 10:21 AM

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I always spin my clothes 2 or three times, depending on how heavy they are, to cut down on drying time.

Posted by lisa on January 28, 2009 4:05 PM

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I hang my items that require a longer drying time overnight (ex. jeans, sweaters, blankets) and throw them in the dryer to finish them up the next day.

I also save money on fabric softener by using a recipe from the Duggar family (a family of 20, on TLC) They buy one jug of liquid softener, pour it into a larger container with a lid (I use a one gallon plastic ice cream container) and fill the empty softener jug with water twice and add to the container. Then you get 2 inexpensive sponges (no scrubbers) cut them in half and throw them into the container. When you put a load in the dryer you sqeeze 3/4 of the liquid out and throw 1 or 2 of the cut sponges into your dryer. I've tried this for a month and it seems to be working, my clothes are soft and they smell great.

Posted by liaspmomof5 on January 28, 2009 8:03 PM

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I do my laundry in the wee hours of the morning, when electric is cheaper.

I wash 2 loads. Dry them on hangers on a rack, overnight.

I then, dry them in the wee hours of the morning. Using the homemade dryer "sponge" sheets, dunked in watered down fabric softener.

Each load only needs 10-20 min each. Dry them on right after the other, as the dryer is already warmed up.

Posted by Terrie on January 29, 2009 9:19 PM

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I dont use drier sheets at all . save money. I used to put an old towel in drier. I do laundry once a week ,and some stuff I don't even dry .

Posted by justpicky on March 19, 2009 11:51 PM

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I pour a diluted small amount of liquid softener on a damp washcloth and pitch it the dryer. It acts like a dryer sheet by softening and fragrancing the load.

Posted by smokehouse1501 on March 21, 2009 6:38 AM

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I USE A ROLLAWAY RACK TO PUT WET CLOTHES ON IN THE WINTER JUST SHAKE THEM AND HANG UP THEN WHEN THEIR DRY JUST HANG IN THE CLOSET ALSO WE BOUGHT A PIECE OF COILED HOSE TO GO ON THE BACK OF THE DRYER ATTATCHED TO A SMALL BOX WITH A SCREEN ON THE FRONT OF IT AND WHEN WE USE THE DRYER IT BLOWS THE HEAT BACK IN THE HOUSE . KEEPS THE HOUSE WARM IN WINTER LINT CANT COME THROUGH THE SCREEN ITS MADE LIKE A FIREPLACE FLUKE OPEN IN WINTER SHUT IN SUMMER SO THE HEAT GOES OUT SIDE.

Posted by anonymous on May 01, 2009 10:45 PM

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What about static cling? I thought the dryer sheets were more for static cling than softness.

Posted by Jennifer Nelson on May 29, 2009 10:18 AM

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Hang your clothes, and you will save money.

You don't "need" fabric softener.

I've got news: If you use fabric softener and hang your towels and jeans, they will still be stiff as a board.

Posted by anonymous on June 05, 2009 11:03 PM

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Why dont people just use clothes lines?

Posted by anonymous on June 20, 2009 12:24 AM

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I wash with only cold water (whites too!) and I dilute my bleach ( half water half bleach)and it works great!

Posted by anonymous on June 21, 2009 11:18 AM

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I save alot on "Drying Time" in the dryer by splitting my clothes into "heavy" and "light" loads.............that way the dryer runs alot less b/c my "light" clothes are only put in a dryer for a few minutes to get out the wrinkles and then they are hung on hangers to finish drying on a dryer rack in my utility room.

Posted by anonymous on June 26, 2009 11:41 AM

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I spend nothing on my laundry. With the price of clothes being so cheap and the cost of electricity being so expensive, I just donate it, right it off and buy new.

Posted by anonymous on June 29, 2009 4:44 PM

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I have recently discovered that there is a lock mode on the digital dryers, so with having 4 teenagers in the house, they are made to hang there clothes. There is no need to use a dryer in the summer. That's why we have clothes lines! And when they discover how to unlock it , the fuses are coming out of the panel box! Ya, i'm a mean mom! lol!

Posted by anonymous on July 03, 2009 10:16 AM

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it cost about $130 a year to run a dryer for 5 hrs a week. Why wouldn't you use a dryer? Thats not that expensive

Posted by anonymous on July 06, 2009 9:36 PM

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putting a towel in a washer or dryer will put balls on your clothing. So in the dryer, use a t-shirt that is dry along with your clothes. no balls

Posted by anonymous on July 06, 2009 10:01 PM

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i'm still laughing at the idiot that wears the clothing once then donates them so there is no need to wash LMAO

Posted by anonymous on July 12, 2009 1:25 PM

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i am laughing with you on wearing once and donating. what world is that?

thanks for all the hints - i am gong to try them all.

Posted by kathryn on July 18, 2009 7:26 PM

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ROFLMAO !!!

Ok I think someone wants to make sure we are paying attention. (wears clothing once & donates them)
Then again there was a contest to make a wedding dress out of toilet paper. Maybe that is what this person does... Recycle your clothes a whole diff way.

As far as adding water to bleach .. I am a bit confused. Why not just cut the amount you use in half ?

Hanging up clothes... and a collapsable wooden clothes dryer... WONDERFUL !!! I can do that.

We rent and move alot with Hubby's work... Clothes lines are not always an option.

The towel can work to a degree with Jeans and such... But not dress clothes...Fuzz & little balls on a Nice Dark dressy blouse is not worth the savings.

Off hours is Fantastic too... I'll have to call my elec co to find out the hours.

Fabric softener on a damp washcloth/ sponge is good...

Spinning clothes extra times? If you are useing the spin cycle on the washer... What are you saving? It still takes extra electricity....Maybe I am missing something ? Please explain.

I do make my own Laundry detergent- With Fels-Naptha. The recipe is on the Fels-Naptha bar.

Thanks everyone....
Kathy

Posted by Kathy on July 26, 2009 11:45 AM

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Kathy - in regards to the extra spin cycle, what that does is spin more water out of your clothing so that when you go to dry your clothes the dry time is shorter - less moisture, less drying time. And I think dryers are the biggest energy suckers in your home, so if you use a more efficient machine (the washer) longer to shorten the time you use the less efficient machine, you'll save money. Of course if you are line drying, you would probably skip the extra spin cycle. My front loading washing machine spins clothes so fast they are practically dry when they come out!

Posted by leighvand on July 26, 2009 12:35 PM

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We have a retractable clothesline which stretches between the back of our garage and a fence=out of sight. Then the line-dried clothes are put into the dryer for five minutes to soften. The art of compromise, perhaps?

Posted by anonymous on July 26, 2009 5:58 PM

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To soften clothes put one half cup white vinegar in the rinse dispenser of a front load washer or 1 cup mixed with water in a top loader. Be careful not to spill any on clothes as it might bleach out some color.

Then hang your clothes on lines, hangers or racks to dry, they should be soft and you save electricity and money.

Posted by Nita on July 28, 2009 9:01 AM

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The person who mentioned donating the clothes must be Bill Gates, of course he could afford it and too lazy to wash clothes, how about donating all of them to me, LMAO

Posted by anonymous on August 01, 2009 3:14 PM

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It is suggested to place a dry towel into a dryer in order to absorb some of the moisture.

What if we substitute a "Shammy" super absorbent cloth rather than the towel? Shammy can absorb much more moisture per square foot than a towel - especially one without the fluffs that will become lint.

Posted by Ralph Dravin on September 15, 2009 12:08 PM

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For the person with the $130/year/5/hrs./week comment. You obviously don't have four teenagers in your house!

Posted by anonymous on September 24, 2009 5:16 PM

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Even if I were to have enough money to buy and wear clothes once and then donate - I still would want to be civil and donate CLEAN clothes....I hope that person was misunderstood.....

Posted by mimi on September 24, 2009 9:50 PM

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I do a load of clothes or whatever one day and let them sit in the dryer. The next morning I dry in the dryer. Some of the moisture is gone from just sitting. I set timer at 20 minutes and check and take out what is dry and depending on the remaining fabrics set another 6 - 10 minutes for rest of load. There are no more wrinkles than usual.

Posted by LadyD on September 26, 2009 12:16 PM

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I have always dried my clothing on a rack to make them last longer. I do use the dryer for towels,sheets and socks, germ killing purposes.(also drying towels on the rack takes too long)If I need a something dried a bit quicker, I lay it on top of the dryer while the towels are in. For the person with 4 teenagers-peace be with you-To anyone renting- the last place I rented was very specific on times not allowed to do laundry, run dishwasher ect check 1st! We also reuse our bath towels 2-3 times, hang on a rack in each persons room.

Posted by anonymous on October 19, 2009 6:30 PM

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