Dry Laundry Faster with This Japanese Method

Laundry is one of those household chores that no one can avoid—and drying clothes, especially indoors, can take frustratingly long.

While a tumble dryer speeds things up, not everyone has the space or the desire to use one.

Thankfully, there’s a clever Japanese method that can help your clothes dry in record time, even on a simple drying rack.

The Japanese Drying Trick

The key to faster drying, according to laundry expert Yuichi Nakamura, is maximizing air circulation between garments.

Here’s how to apply the technique:

• Shirts: Hang with the buttons undone and the collar popped up to let air in.
• Pants: Shape them into a loose cylinder when hanging to avoid fabric folding in on itself.
• Long clothes: Hang on the outside of the rack.
• Short garments (like shorts or T-shirts): Hang in the center.

This arrangement allows air to move more freely, speeding up the evaporation process.

For even faster results, place a fan nearby to keep air flowing across the fabric.

Bonus Tip (for Dryer Users)

If you do have a tumble dryer and want to cut drying time, toss in a clean, dry towel with your wet laundry.

The towel will absorb some of the moisture, helping clothes dry faster—and saving energy in the process.