5 tips for sustainable drying

If you want to dry in an energy-efficient way, use these tips:

• Tip 1. Use the spin cycle in advance
• Tip 2. Maintain your dryer
• Tip 3. Choose an automatic program
• Tip 4. Hang your laundry out to dry
• Tip 5. Buy a heat pump dryer

Before you put your laundry in the dryer, use the spin cycle on your washing machine at the highest spin speed. You laundry gets driest in a washing machine with 1600RPM. Keep in mind that this high spin speed is usually only possible on the cotton cycle. The advantage is that your bedding doesn't need to be in the dryer as long, which saves you time and energy. Use a lower spin speed for delicate laundry, so it doesn't wear as much.

You have to maintain your dryer if you want to dry in an energy-efficient way. You do this by emptying the lint trap after every dryer cycle. It's located in the drum opening on most dryers. Open the lint trap and remove the large dust parts manually. Give the condenser at the bottom of the dryer a good clean every few months as well. With a condenser dryer, you rinse the condenser under the faucet. If you have a heat pump dryer, you vacuum the condenser clean with a vacuum brush.

Choose an automatic cycle that ends as soon as your laundry is dry. This is better than a time-based cycle, where you select a time yourself. With an automatic cycle, the humidity sensors keep an eye on your laundry during the drying process. This way, the dryer ends the cycle at the exact right moment and your laundry isn't in the drum for longer than necessary.

The most energy-efficient way to dry your laundry is on the drying rack or umbrella drying rack. This is smart when you don't have a dryer, but it's also convenient if it's nice weather outside. You don't use any energy, so you save on your energy costs. In addition, it's better for the environment and your wash looks good as new for longer.

If you really want to dry in an energy-efficient way, you should purchase a heat pump dryer with a C energy label or higher. This dries your laundry very energy-efficiently. With one of these, you save an average of € 45 each year compared to an E energy label. Thanks to the lower drying temperature, you save on energy costs and your laundry stays in good condition for longer. That means that you don't have to worry about your favorite sweater shrinking.

With the current energy prices, it's very important to save energy. Luckily, we've collected all the tips for you. You read all our advice on how to save energy at home in one go. Thanks to this, you can contribute to a better environment and ensure a lower energy bill.