Why You Should Always Use Fabric Softener When Air Drying Clothes In Winter

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There are numerous benefits to air drying your clothes, including saving money on your energy bill. However, it can be challenging to air-dry during the winter months, when colder temperatures outside don't exactly "dry" your clothes as much as freeze them stiff. Certain aspects can make a difference when you line-dry or air-dry your clothes in winter, namely, there's much less heat, so your clothes end up taking a longer time to fully dry. Drying your clothes indoors is an option, especially as an alternative to air-drying when you don't have a clothesline. To make the process easier, you'll need a few essentials. One of the most helpful is fabric softener, which protects fibers, keeps clothes soft, and reduces static when air-drying in winter.

Fabric softeners contain ingredients that help prevent stretching and fading. Cationic surface-active agents in the fabric softener bind to fabrics, eliminating static and leaving behind a thin lubricant to keep them soft and protected. It's likely you'll use a liquid variety of fabric softener when doing laundry, like, for example, Downy Soft Fresh Liquid Fabric Softener, which is added during the rinse cycle. Follow your machine's directions to measure and add it. Most automatic washing machines have a compartment for softener, but you can also pour it in manually before the rinse cycle. If you're hand-washing, add it to the rinse water. Just be sure it's diluted in water, as applying it directly to fabric can cause discoloration.

While effective pro tips for air-drying your laundry during the winter months are aplenty, using fabric softener when washing is one of the more helpful tactics to ensure that fabrics don't become stiff or uncomfortable to wear and use. Air-drying often leaves clothes stiff in cold winter air. The softener saturates and leaves a conditioning layer on heavy fabrics so they stay soft and comfortable. It also ensures that the fibers won't hold onto static, which becomes worse in the winter thanks to cold, dry air.

Other winter air-drying tips include using less detergent in the washing machine for your loads, since it can stiffen fabrics and even attract dirt. Fabric softener contains conditioning agents that are attracted to your clothes, protecting the fibers from dirt and pilling, as well as keeping them softer and smoother so they don't become stretched out. Tumble-drying can put more wear on those fibers and lead to premature stretching and fading. In addition, investing in a drying rack, like this Amazon Basics Foldable Laundry Rack, helps provide a place for your clothes to air dry. A dehumidifier has many benefits for your clothes and can help speed up drying time as well. For best results, place it underneath or close by your laundry rack. If you don't have a dehumidifier, choose a spot with good airflow or ventilation to help clothes dry faster.