6 April, 2026
Whether you're battling a Cape Town drizzle or a Joburg summer heatwave, getting your laundry properly dry, without sacrificing softness or freshness, takes more than simply hanging clothes on a line. From tumble dryer settings to smart indoor racks and outdoor clothesline technique, the way you dry your laundry has a direct impact on how your clothes look, feel, and smell. Pair the right drying method with Sta-soft® fabric softener and your laundry will come out irresistibly soft and fresh every time, whatever the season.
A tumble dryer is one of the most convenient ways to get laundry done quickly, but using it correctly makes all the difference between clothes that feel great and fabrics that shrink, pill, or wear out prematurely.
Before you begin drying, separate laundry by fabric type — cotton, synthetics, and home textiles each require different temperatures and tumble settings. Heavy fabrics like towels and denim will take longer to dry than lightweight T-shirts or underwear, so mixing them means some items will be over-dried before others are ready. Sorting also protects delicate fabrics from heat damage.
As a general rule: cottons and linens can handle higher heat; synthetics need a lower setting to avoid static and pilling; and delicates like silk, fine wool, and lace should never go near a dryer at all — lay those flat to air dry. For more on preparing your load correctly, read our guide on how to properly wash your laundry daily.
Effective drying always starts before the dryer — with a thorough spin cycle in your washing machine. Set your machine to the highest spin speed appropriate for the fabric (at minimum 800 rpm for most loads). The more moisture your spin cycle removes, the less time and energy your dryer needs, and the shorter your drying time will be. If your machine allows, run a second spin cycle for heavy items like bath towels or denim jeans.
Choosing the right dryer cycle is just as important as selecting the right wash temperature. Most dryers offer two main settings:
Intensive / High Heat — suitable for robust fabrics like cotton towels, bed linen, and heavy garments. These can withstand longer drying times without damage.
Delicate / Low Heat — ideal for lightweight garments, synthetic blends, dresses, and anything with embellishments or prints.
Never tumble dry silk, fine wool, cashmere, or garments labelled "do not tumble dry." Lay these flat to dry on a clean towel or a dedicated flat-drying rack — which we cover in detail in the indoor drying section below. Always check the care label inside your garment before loading it into the dryer.
A well-maintained dryer doesn't just run more efficiently — it helps your laundry smell fresher for longer. Clean the lint filter after every cycle; a clogged filter reduces airflow, increases drying time, and can cause overheating. If your dryer has a humidity sensor, wipe it down regularly to keep it accurate.
Adding Sta-soft® fabric softener to your wash before drying helps protect fibres from heat stress, reduces static cling (a common problem with tumble drying), and leaves a long-lasting fragrance that carries through even after drying. For a particularly fresh result, try the Sta-soft Ultra Concentrate Ocean Fresh — its 4x concentrated formula means a little goes a long way.
Indoor drying is essential during South Africa's wet winter months, or simply when outdoor space is limited. Done correctly, it's just as effective as line drying — but there are a few key practices to follow to prevent damp smells and slow drying.
Invest in a spacious, sturdy drying rack that allows you to spread clothes out fully rather than folding or piling them. The goal is maximum airflow around every item. Avoid hanging garments on top of each other — overlapping clothes trap moisture and significantly slow down drying time, and can leave that musty, damp smell that no one wants.
Pro tip: Hang T-shirts and sweatshirts upside down — this prevents sleeves from clinging to the torso, allows air to circulate through the body of the garment, and helps them keep their shape. Hang jeans and trousers by the waistband for the same reason.
For knits — especially wool or cashmere jerseys — hanging is actually the wrong approach. The weight of a wet garment can stretch it out of shape permanently when hung. Instead, gently reshape the item after washing and lay it flat on a clean, dry towel or a dedicated flat-drying rack. Roll the towel around the garment first to absorb excess moisture, then unroll and leave it to dry in its correct shape.
This technique is also ideal for structured garments like padded bras or anything with built-in shaping. For more specific advice, see our guide to machine washing wool.
Where you place your drying rack matters enormously. The bathroom is the worst spot in your home for drying laundry — it's already humid, which means moisture from your clothes has nowhere to go and drying takes much longer (and mould becomes a real risk).
Instead, choose a room with good natural ventilation — near an open window or a door that allows airflow. Heated rooms are ideal in winter. If possible, use a fan to keep air moving around the rack. On warmer winter days in South Africa, even an open window in a south-facing room can create enough airflow to dry a full rack in a few hours.
Good ventilation also prevents the damp, musty smell that can set into indoor-dried laundry. Using Sta-soft® fabric softener in your wash — particularly a formula like Sta-soft Lavender Fresh — gives your laundry a long-lasting fragrance that holds even through indoor drying.
South Africa's sunshine is one of the best natural drying resources available — and it's completely free. But outdoor drying does require a little seasonal know-how to get the best results.
Contrary to what many people think, you can dry clothes outside year-round in most parts of South Africa. In winter, even on a cold dry day, a breeze can do most of the work. And here's a little-known fact: in very cold conditions, wet clothes can actually freeze slightly, which helps kill odour-causing bacteria naturally — so don't be put off by a chilly morning.
In summer, laundry dries fastest if you hang it out in the morning, when the sun is strong but temperatures haven't peaked. Plan to bring it in by mid-afternoon to avoid clothes absorbing humidity as the evening dew settles. In coastal regions like Durban or Cape Town, early retrieval also protects laundry from salt-laden sea air.
Sunlight is a natural bleaching agent — fantastic for brightening white towels and bed linen, but potentially harmful to coloured or dark fabrics. UV rays can cause fading and discolouration over time, particularly in South Africa's intense sun.
As a rule, dry your whites and light colours in direct sunlight, and hang dark or brightly coloured items in a shaded or partially shaded spot to protect their colour. Turning coloured garments inside out before hanging also reduces the risk of fading. For more on protecting different fabric types, see our guide on choosing the right fabric softener.
The principles of a good clothesline are the same as a good indoor rack — airflow and spacing. Leave adequate space between each item so that air can circulate freely. Use sturdy, rust-proof pegs and place them on seams wherever possible, rather than across the visible body of the garment, to avoid peg marks and creases.
For shirts and tops, hanging from the hem (bottom edge) rather than the shoulders prevents shoulder bumps and helps the garment dry more evenly. Give heavier items like jeans and towels a shake before hanging to loosen fibres and speed up drying.
Enjoy the fresh feeling and irresistible scent of perfectly dried laundry all year long with Sta-soft® expert fabric care tips.
A few extra habits can make a meaningful difference to your drying results:
Don't leave laundry sitting in the drum. Remove clothes as soon as the wash cycle ends to prevent musty smells and deep-set creases.
Use the right amount of softener. Overdosing can leave a residue that actually traps odours — follow the dosing instructions on your Sta-soft® fabric softener and adjust for load size.
Shake each item before hanging. A firm shake loosens the fibres, reduces wrinkles, and speeds up drying by improving air circulation around the fabric.
Dry towels separately. Towels are bulky and retain moisture longer than clothing. Drying them with a lighter load means everything dries unevenly.
Use a fabric softener suited to your needs. If you have sensitive skin, try the Sta-soft Ultra Concentrate Sensitive — hypoallergenic and gentle on delicate skin while still delivering long-lasting freshness.
Avoid over-drying in the tumble dryer. Over-drying weakens fabric fibres over time. Remove items while they're just slightly damp and let them finish airing naturally — this also reduces energy use.
Use dryer balls or a clean tennis ball in the tumble dryer with bulky items like duvets or cushion covers. They help separate layers and improve airflow inside the drum.
In winter, try a heated airer. Electric heated drying racks are an energy-efficient alternative to tumble dryers, and ideal for South African winters when outdoor drying isn't always practical.
Q: How do I dry clothes faster indoors? A: Use a spacious drying rack and spread each garment out fully to maximise airflow. Place your rack near a heat source or an open, ventilated window, and avoid overcrowding. A portable fan directed at the rack can cut drying time significantly.
Q: Can I tumble dry all fabrics? A: No. Tumble drying works well for durable fabrics like cotton, linen, and most synthetics, but it can shrink, warp, or damage delicate items. Always check the care label — silk, fine wool, cashmere, and garments with embellishments should always be air-dried flat.
Q: Does using fabric softener affect drying time? A: No — fabric softener like Sta-soft® is added during the wash cycle and doesn't affect how long your laundry takes to dry. What it does do is keep fabrics soft and supple, reduce static cling (especially helpful with tumble drying), and leave a long-lasting fragrance that stays fresh well after your laundry is dry.
Q: How do I prevent clothes from smelling damp when drying indoors? A: Ventilation is key — always dry in a well-aired space, never in a humid bathroom. Avoid overcrowding your rack, and make sure clothes are properly spun before hanging. Using Sta-soft® fabric softener during your wash gives your laundry a built-in fresh scent that resists that musty indoor smell.
Q: Is it bad to dry clothes in direct sunlight? A: For whites and light colours, direct sunlight is ideal — it naturally brightens fabric and kills bacteria. For coloured or dark garments, prolonged sun exposure can cause fading, so dry those in a shaded spot or turn them inside out.
Q: How do I stop clothes from going stiff when air-dried? A: Stiffness in air-dried laundry is usually caused by mineral deposits from hard water, or by insufficient fabric softener. Make sure you're using Sta-soft® fabric softener at the correct dose for your load size. A good shake of each item before and after hanging also helps loosen fibres and prevent stiffness.
Whether you're tumble drying after a quick wash, hanging a rack indoors during a rainy week, or pegging out a full line on a bright summer morning — the right fabric softener makes every load feel complete. Sta-soft® fabric softeners are specially formulated to protect fibres, reduce static, and leave your laundry irresistibly soft and fragranced, wash after wash.
Explore the full Sta-soft® range to find the perfect formula for your household — from Ultra Concentrate for powerful freshness in a smaller dose, to Sta-soft Baby for gentle, hypoallergenic care, to Aromatherapy blends that turn every laundry day into a sensory experience.
Visit our Laundry Tips Hub for more expert advice on fabric care, stain removal, and getting the most from your wash routine.
