How to Air-Dry Clothes and Still Keep Them Wrinkle-Free

How to Air Dry Clothes Indoors

1. Get a Drying Rack or Inside Clothesline

   The best type of drying rack for your home depends on the available space, the amount of laundry you handle, and even the type of laundry you plan to dry.

   • A collapsible rack is best for most homes, as it can be easily put away when unused.
   • When drying sweaters, use a rack with a ventilated horizontal surface so the sweaters can dry flat.
   • A retractable clothesline in the shower is suitable for lingerie.
   • A wall—or ceiling-mounted rack in the laundry room is convenient for small loads.

2. Alternatives to Drying Rack

   • Air dry clothes indoors by using a shower rod or a towel bar.
   • Use clothes hangers to create additional hanging surfaces. Pants or skirt hangers have built-in clothes pins to grip wet items.
   • Never air dry wet laundry on surfaces that moisture can damage (uncoated metal, untreated wood, upholstered furniture).

3. Remove Excess Moisture

   Remove as much moisture from the fabric before setting out to dry them.

   • Check the spin cycle setting on your washer. The higher the setting, the faster the spin and the more moisture is removed.
   • For hand-washed items, squeeze or wring out as much rinse water as possible.
   • Place the item on a thick towel and roll it up to absorb excess water before hanging or laying the garment to dry.

4. Hang to Prevent Wrinkles

   The way you hang laundry reduces wrinkles. Give each piece of laundry a good shake before hanging them to air dry to help relax the fibers. Relaxing fibers keeps the material soft.

   • Pants: Match the inseams and hang them from the drying rack rod with the waist down.
   • Shirts: Clip the shoulders of shirts and tops to one of the rods with clothespins.
   • Sheets and blankets: Fold bedsheets and blankets in half or thirds and drape them smoothly over the widest rod.
   • Towels and dishcloths: Use clothespins to hang towels and dishcloths from a rod or fold them half over the rod.
   • Bras: Reshape bra cups before hanging them over a rod to dry.

5. Improve Air Circulation

   • Hang items individually and with as much space in between them as possible so they will dry more quickly. Thick layers of fabric take much longer to dry.
   • To improve air circulation in the drying area, add a fan or dehumidifier. You can also turn on a bathroom vent fan or open windows to increase airflow.
   • In winter months, place a portable drying rack near a heating vent.

   Tip

   Situate the drying rack away from the wall to prevent moisture from being trapped in that space. Remove humidity to reduce the chance of mold and mildew forming.