Waiting for wet garments to dry can feel endless, especially if you are juggling multiple loads, or clothes keep coming out of the dryer damp in the middle.
While dryers do most of the heavy lifting, there is a simple trick you can do between the washer and dryer that can make the process noticeably faster – the shake method.
This quick step reduces clumps, smoothes out fabric, and helps dry clothes quickly.
The shake method
The shake method is super simple and doesn't require any special tools or extra products.
Simply give each item a very good shake when you take it out of the washer and before putting it in your best clothes dryer.
That's it. Honestly.
Tom Ceconi, president and laundry pro at Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, says there are two key benefits to the shake method.
‘For a start, this is a great way to shake off extra moisture and, more importantly, untangle larger items that tend to get bunched up in the washing machine.' Forgetting this step is a common tumble dryer mistake, making drying laundry harder.
Tom adds, 'This is particularly true if you are using an agitator mechanism in a top-loading machine. Secondly, shaking out laundry can help speed up the drying process by making more surface area reachable by the heat.
'Think about the reverse situation where you pull a set of sheets out of the dryer and they are wound together; the inside sheets are invariably wet.'
Better still, the shake method can also help to unwrinkle clothes without an iron, adds Alicia Sokolowski, president and laundry expert at AspenClean.
For an added drying boost, she suggests adding in a few non-toxic alternatives to dryer sheets (also helping to reduce static on clothing).
She shares, 'For best results and reduced drying time, we recommend combining the shake method with wool dryer balls.
'Wool dryer balls [available at AspenClean] help separate clothes in the dryer, preventing them from clumping. They also enhance hot air circulation, which further reduces drying time and naturally softens fabrics without the need for toxic dryer sheets.
'Together, shaking and dryer balls can make the laundry dry faster, feel softer, and come out with fewer wrinkles.'
Non-toxic laundry essentials
Dryer balls are a great dryer sheet alternative that will break up and fluff up your laundry for even drying and softer bedding.
Distilled white vinegar is a fantastic non-toxic laundry additive, tackling odors and lightening stains, all without harsh chemicals.
This extra large laundry hamper is perfect for busy households, with three removeable bags to make sorting laundry super simple, reducing the risk of overloading your washer and dryer.
Ideal for lots of big laundry, such as bedding, this retractable clothesline can be strung between two posts, walls, or fences to make drying clothes in the sun simple.
Environmental Working Group (EWG) Certified, these laundry pods are certified healthier for use in your home, helping to cut out toxic laundry room items.
Don't have an outdoor space? This handy drying rack is perfect for air drying laundry in small spaces, folding away flat when not in use for easy storage.
Meet the experts
While the added step in between washing and drying might sound like a drain on energy, it is actually one of the many laundry hacks to save time overall. Plus, it makes your dryer's job easier, helping you to cut energy bills at the same time.
If you still end up with damp patches on clothing, clean your dryer vents as lint and dust buildup can impact function and are a fire risk.
