Stop wasting money! This genius towel trick gets your clothes bone dry—no dryer needed

As the mercury drops and the days get shorter, many of us find ourselves facing the age-old winter laundry dilemma: How on Earth do you get your clothes dry when it’s too cold (or wet!) to hang them outside, and you’d rather not fork out a fortune running the dryer?

If you’re tired of damp jeans draped over radiators or socks that take days to air-dry, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: there’s a brilliantly simple trick that’s been quietly revolutionizing laundry routines.

This genius hack helps get your clothes nearly bone dry without a dryer, saving you time, energy, and money. Whether you’re trying to cut back on utility bills or just speed up your laundry game, this trick is the winter laundry lifesaver you didn’t know you needed.

The towel absorption method​

If you’re looking to save money and cut down on energy use, we’ve got a clever laundry hack that’s right up your alley. It’s called the towel trick. And once you try it, you’ll be asking yourself why it wasn’t part of your routine all along.

This simple method is a favorite among budget-savvy and eco-minded folks alike, and the best part? You already have everything you need to make it work. Let’s break it down:

Grab a clean, dry towel—ideally one that matches the color of your clothes to avoid any surprise dye transfers. Lay it out flat, place your damp garment on top, and roll them up together like a snug little bundle. Then, press down firmly but gently, almost like you’re giving your laundry a comforting squeeze. The towel acts like a sponge, pulling out excess moisture and leaving your clothes noticeably drier than when they first came out of the wash.

Once you’ve wrung out as much water as possible, unroll and hang your clothes on a rack or hanger.

You’ll notice they dry significantly faster, even indoors, and you’ll sidestep that dreaded musty smell that can sneak in when clothes linger damp for too long.

Winter laundry woes? The towel trick keeps your clothes fresh without the dryer. Image Source: Unsplash/Pew Nguyen

Why bother with the towel trick?​

Let’s be honest: Using the dryer all the time can really add up, especially if laundry day happens more than once a week.

It’s not just your energy bill that takes a hit; frequent drying can also be rough on your clothes, wearing down fabrics faster than you’d like. That’s where the towel trick comes in.

This simple, no-power-needed method helps remove excess moisture from your laundry without the heat or hassle. It’s a smart, budget-friendly way to protect your favorite sweaters and cut back on energy use at the same time.

Plus, if you live in an apartment or a place without a dryer, this hack is a lifesaver. No more draping soggy shirts over every available surface and hoping for the best!

Also read: Keep your towels fresher, longer with this easy hotel-inspired method.

Other clever ways to speed up drying indoors​

If you’re ready to level up your indoor laundry routine, here are a few smart tips to help your clothes dry faster and fresher:

• Try a dehumidifier: Moisture in the air can seriously slow down drying time. If your space tends to feel damp, especially during colder months, a dehumidifier can make a big difference by pulling excess moisture from the air. No dehumidifier? Cracking a window for a short while (weather permitting) can also help improve airflow.
• Boost air circulation: Still air equals slow drying. Position a fan near your drying area to keep the air moving. This helps moisture evaporate more quickly and keeps that musty smell at bay.
• Max out the spin cycle: Before your clothes even leave the washer, make sure you’re using the highest spin setting available. The more water your machine extracts, the less time your laundry will need to hang dry.
• Use a quality drying rack: A reliable drying rack is a must-have for indoor laundry. Choose one that allows plenty of space between garments so air can circulate freely. You’ll find budget-friendly options at major retailers or online.
• Avoid overcrowding: Give your laundry room to breathe. Hanging clothes too close together traps moisture and slows drying, which can lead to that all-too-familiar musty odor.

A few extra tips for the TGV community​

From boosting airflow to making the most of your spin cycle, here’s how to level up your indoor drying game—TGV style.

• Lay flat for delicates: When drying delicate fabrics or wool items, place them flat on a clean towel to help maintain their shape and prevent stretching.
• Double up for heavyweights: For bulkier pieces like denim or bath towels, try using a second dry towel to repeat the moisture-removal trick. It can make a noticeable difference in drying time.
• Read the labels: Always check the garment’s care instructions. Some materials can be damaged by twisting or squeezing too hard, so gentle handling is key.

Key Takeaways

• You can get your clothes drier quicker by using the towel trick: Just roll your wet clothes inside a towel, press to absorb the water, then hang them to finish drying.
• Using a dehumidifier or keeping windows open (if it’s not too cold) can help clothes dry faster indoors by reducing humidity in the air.
• Setting up a drying rack and using a fan to boost air circulation around your clothes can also speed up the drying process and prevent damp walls.
• Choosing a higher spin cycle on your washing machine removes more water from clothes, making drying quicker and saving on energy bills by reducing the need for a dryer.

Have you tried the towel trick before? Do you have your own clever laundry hacks for getting things dry in winter? Maybe you’ve got a story about a laundry disaster (we’ve all been there!). Share your tips, tricks, and tales in the comments below—we love hearing from our TGV family!

And remember, a little ingenuity goes a long way, especially when it comes to keeping your clothes fresh, dry, and ready to wear, no matter what the weather’s doing outside. Happy drying!