Most households have driers as part of their laundry appliance setup, but not all. Some combine with washers of course, but not always.
Moreover, these appliances can sometimes break. This is how to replace a dryer belt if you’re at all concerned, as learning this capability can ensure your appliances are cared for, and you save money on a full scale repair.
However, in the meantime, especially if you’re waiting on the replacement belt you need, drying clothes around the house is still important. Of course, if you don’t have a clothes rack for emergencies like this, you may need to get creative.
In this post, we’ll offer some alternatives you can use to quickly dry those shirts for work, or that sports kit for your child’s gym class tomorrow:
Fashion An Outdoor Washing Line
If you have exterior space, a temporary washing line can be simple enough to put up. Two solid points to tie a strong rope or cord between will do just fine. Trees work well, as do fence posts, or even a hook screwed into the side of a shed. Some people use their porch railings too. Even strong string might work in a pinch, but it’s worth getting proper washing line cord from your local hardware store, as it’s stronger and won’t leave marks on your clothes. Just remember to wipe it down first, as birds tend to make their opinions known on washing lines that stay up for a while.
Use Heated Towels Racks
Heated towel racks kee[ your bath towels warm and cozy, but they can also work pretty well for drying smaller items like socks, underwear, or even t-shirts if you arrange them carefully. Just be mindful not to overload them, as air needs to circulate around each item. Spreading things out evenly helps them dry faster and stops the rack from getting too hot in one spot. Moreover, most heated racks use very little electricity, so they won’t spike your power bill like running a dryer might.
Steam Shirts In A Closed Bathroom
This is a popular method for those traveling in hotels, but it works here too. Running a hot shower for about ten minutes creates enough steam to help smooth out wrinkles and refresh clothes, dress shirts especially. Hang your shirts on the shower rod or over-door hooks while the room fills with steam, and keep the door closed and the fan on and off in temporary periods to prevent damp. The warm, humid air helps release wrinkles and odors. Once the steam clears, your clothes will feel fresher and look better pressed. Just make sure to wipe down any water that collects on the bathroom surfaces afterward.
With this advice, we hope you can dry clothes (even if temporarily) without a dryer.
