During the rainy season, aside from the inconvenience of moving around, there is another common issue that most families face: clothes not drying despite being hung out to dry. According to experts, there's no need to worry too much about this issue.

There are simple, readily available items that can become quite useful. In other words, they can help your clothes dry faster, shortening the drying time, especially during the rainy, less sunny days.

One great example is tennis balls, which many people are unaware of. Specifically, when you spin or dry clothes with a washing machine or dryer, you can simply add a few tennis balls into the drum.

Why do tennis balls help clothes dry faster?

According to experts and many reputable household cleaning websites like Real Simple (USA) and Cleanipedia (Unilever’s official site), tennis balls can function like specialized dryer balls. When placed in the machine with clothes, the balls continuously move, bounce, and stir the clothes throughout the washing cycle.

Thanks to this mechanism, the layers of fabric, which often cling together after a strong spin, are separated, allowing hot air or wind to circulate more easily between the garments. As a result, drying time is significantly reduced, clothes dry faster, and unpleasant odors caused by prolonged exposure to humidity are minimized.

Particularly useful for thicker items like towels, blankets, and coats

Especially when using this method for thicker items like towels, blankets, and jackets, you’ll notice the effects more clearly. These items are often hard to dry, with moisture trapped in the center, but tennis balls help dry them evenly, reducing the chances of mold or unpleasant odors after washing.

On social media platforms like Reddit, a thread discussing tennis balls for drying clothes quickly has gained a lot of attention. Many users commented that they’ve been using this trick for years and have found it to be a great time and effort-saver when drying clothes.

Additional Benefits of Tennis Balls in the Dryer

According to the article on Real Simple, adding tennis balls to the spin/dry cycle also provides additional benefits such as:

• Naturally softening fabric fibers

• Preventing clothes from tangling or clumping together

• Reducing static and wrinkles

• Fluffing up items like cotton bedding and pillows

However, despite its effectiveness, experts from Cleanipedia also point out some drawbacks. One disadvantage is that this method can cause quite a bit of noise, which may affect family activities.

Additionally, users should ensure they are using clean tennis balls that won’t stain clothes, especially those already treated with detergent. Typically, 2-3 tennis balls should be used per load, depending on the amount of clothing. Lastly, this method should not be used for delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon, or lace.

Other Methods to Help Clothes Dry Faster

In addition to using tennis balls in the washing machine or dryer, users can try other simple methods to speed up the drying process, especially helpful during the rainy season with high humidity.

1. Use the maximum spin setting on the washing machine

   • According to Whirlpool, using the highest spin setting can remove up to 60-70% of the water left in the fabric after washing. For durable fabrics like cotton, jeans, or towels, choose a strong spin to dry the clothes faster and reduce the pressure on subsequent drying or hanging.

2. Roll clothes in a large towel to absorb excess water

   • A simple yet effective trick is to lay a clean, large towel, place wet clothes on it, and then roll them up. Press gently to let the towel absorb the water from the clothes. This method is especially useful for shirts, dresses, and children's clothes when you can't use a high-spin or high-temperature drying setting.

3. Hang clothes in a well-ventilated area, even without sunlight

   • Experts say that many people think clothes can’t dry without sunlight, but air circulation and proper airflow are the main factors. Clothes hung in a place with good airflow, even in the shade, will dry much faster than in a stagnant area.

4. Use a fan or dehumidifier when drying indoors

   • If you have to dry clothes indoors, place a fan on a rotating setting near the drying rack. This helps keep the air moving and removes moisture from the fabric. Using a dehumidifier is also an effective method, especially in northern regions or highlands with consistently high humidity.

5. Iron or steam clothes while they are still slightly damp to reduce wrinkles

   • Cleanipedia advises ironing or steaming clothes when they are still slightly damp. This not only helps remove the last bit of moisture but also softens the fabric and reduces wrinkles effectively. Additionally, the high heat from the iron can also help eliminate light bacteria, which is especially suitable for clothes of children or people with sensitive skin.