How to Dry in Washing Machine: A Clever Guide

Drying Clothes in a Washing Machine: More Than Just a Spin

Let’s be honest: laundry day can feel like a saga. You’ve tossed your dearly beloved mugs (aka clothes) into the washing machine, but then—uh-oh—you realize your machine might not have a built-in dryer. Is that a showstopper? Heck no! Whether you have a washer-dryer combo, a washing machine with drying features, or just plain ol’ spin, there’s a way to dry your clothes with style and efficiency.

Know Your Machine: Washer-Dryer Combo vs. Washing Machine Only

First things first: drying in a washing machine mainly applies to those fancy washer-dryer combo units or machines boasting a dry-only cycle. A typical washing-only machine won’t blow you a cool warm breeze to dry clothes but can still help you get closer to dry with a spin cycle.

If your machine features a drying function, it typically works like this:

Select the washing cycle and detergent as usual.
Once the wash finishes, switch to the drying program or dry-only setting.
Pick your preferred dryness level—options often range from “cupboard dry” (bone dry) to “iron dry” (a little damp for easier ironing).
Press start and wait for your clothes to become delightfully dry.

If your washer lacks a drying feature, don’t despair. Using a high-speed spin cycle can extract excess water, cutting air dry time significantly. Just follow up by hanging or laying flat as needed.

Demystifying Dryer Settings: Tumble, Air Dry, and More

When machines tumble-dry, they combine heat and rotation to whisk away moisture. Different fabrics call for different drying temperatures:

Low heat: Gentle on the delicates and fine fabrics.
Medium heat: The perfect balance for cottons and everyday wear at around 135°F (57°C), as Maytag explains.
High heat: Effective for sturdy items like towels and jeans.

Some washer-dryer combos also feature an air dry or no-heat tumble dry mode, useful for delicate fabrics or freshening clothes. This method just circulates air without heat, taking admittedly longer, but safer for the sensitive stuff (source).

Step-by-Step: Using a Washer-Dryer Combo to Dry Clothes

If fancy gadgets are your jam, here’s your quick-play guide inspired by experts:

Load your clothes and detergent like you normally would.
Select your preferred wash cycle on the machine, then start.
When washing’s done, press the dry cycle or dry-only button.
Choose dryness level—for example, “cupboard dry” for ready-to-wear, or “iron dry” if you plan to press clothes.
Start drying. Watch (or heroically wait) as your clothes spin and warm up.
Remove clothes promptly to avoid wrinkles and enjoy your fresh gear.

Spin Cycle Power: When Drying Isn’t an Option

Not all washing warriors are equipped with drying wizardry. If your trusty machine only washes, the next best thing is going full spin mode. High-speed spinning extracts a lion’s share of water from your clothes, making air drying way faster and less of a chore.

Just toss your freshly spun clothes onto a drying rack or clothesline and enjoy some natural drying magic (though that’s usually more eco-friendly and gentle on your fabrics). Want to get fancy? Use a fan or hang clothes near a sunny window to speed things up.

Machine-Specific Drying Tips: LG, Samsung, and Beyond

Of course, every brand puts its spin on drying. Wondering how to dry clothes in specific washing machines? You might want to peek at guides tailored to your brand:

These handy tutorials walk you through exact buttons to press, cycles to select, and nuances about drying levels. Machines like LG even have specific dry-only cycles you can choose without re-washing your clothes (source).

Key Tips for a Successful Dry Cycle

Don’t overload: For drying, your washer-dryer combo likes breathing room. Overpacking initiates a game of clothes tumble-twist that leaves you damp and frustrated.
Check fabric care labels: Look for symbols indicating tumble drying at low, medium, or no heat. If in doubt, air dry or use the no-heat setting.
Clean your lint filter: Some washer-dryer combos come with lint catchers—clearing them regularly keeps drying efficient and safe.
Balance loads: Mixing heavy bath towels with lightweight cotton shirts? Nope. Pick similar fabrics to get even drying results.
Use drying balls: Toss in dryer balls or clean tennis balls (if your machine allows it) to improve air circulation and reduce drying time.

Additional Laundry Life Hacks

Here’s the cherry on top for the laundry enthusiasts:

Start by washing with cold or warm water to prevent shrinking and make drying quicker.
For in-between-washing freshness, use the dry clean clothes machine options if your machine supports it.
If your machine sometimes gets clogged up, find out how to drain water from washing machine drum like a pro.

Choosing a Washer-Dryer Combo? Check These Out

If you’re thinking about leveling up your laundry game with a washer-dryer combo, countless options offer drying features you’ll love. Whether it’s LG’s advanced drying cycles or Samsung’s smart sensor drying, these machines make laundry less of a pain.

Explore some of the best washer-dryer combos with drying options available through these links:

In Summary: Drying Clothes in Your Washing Machine Without Tears

Drying clothes in a washing machine, while sounding too-good-to-be-true, is a smart, practical reality—when your machine supports it or you know the right spin tricks.

With washer-dryer combos, you get a one-stop wash-and-dry experience, configurable drying levels, and fabric-friendly cycles. For washing machines without drying, the high-speed spin cycle is your best ally to get a head start on drying.

Remember to check your machine’s manual, follow fabric care labels, and keep the lint catcher clean. With these tips, your laundry day just got a whole lot easier and maybe even a little more enjoyable. Go ahead, give your clothes the spin and dry treatment—they deserve it!