Spin speed and drying time

Short answer: Drying time is directly linked to how much water is left after the spin. Going from four hundred to a thousand revolutions cuts drying time in half. That makes the spin one of the easiest places to save time when you do laundry.

Every hundred revolutions counts

Higher speeds press more water out through the fabric, and every gram less water is time saved on the rack. The difference is greatest in garments with a lot of fabric. You see it clearly on thick items like a bamboo hoodie for men, where the hood, pockets and ribbing hold water for a long time.

How the spin works

When the drum turns fast, the clothes are pressed against the wall and the water is thrown out through the holes. The faster it turns, the more water escapes. The water the fibres have soaked up themselves stays put, though. That is why clothes never come out fully dry, however high you go.

Where the gain stops

Above a thousand revolutions the gain drops while creases and wear increase. There simply is not much loose water left to remove. Eight hundred is a good compromise for bamboo t-shirts for men, giving you most of the water out without squeezing the fabric more than needed.

An extra round costs ten minutes

If the clothes are still very wet when the programme ends, you can run another spin without washing again. Most machines have a programme just for that. It takes about ten minutes and can save you several hours of drying. It works for socks for men too.

Take the clothes out at once

After a high spin the clothes lie pressed together in the drum. The longer they lie there, the more the creases set. Take them out as soon as the machine stops, shake each piece hard and hang it up. Then the gain from the high spin is not lost to time at the ironing board.

Adjust to the clothes

Thick items like hoodies and joggers benefit most from high speeds. Thin t-shirts and underwear dry fast anyway and do not need the same. If you have time, wash thick and thin items separately and choose the spin based on what is in the drum.

Combine with good air

Even the best spin only helps if the clothes then get air. Hang items with space between them and air out the room along the way. A warm room with fresh air gives the shortest drying time. Together with a good spin, it means the clothes are ready to put away the same day.

Frequently asked questions

How much faster do clothes dry

From four hundred to eight hundred revolutions, drying takes about half as long. The difference is largest for thick items.

Does a high spin cause much wear

More than a low spin, but far less than a tumble dryer. Stay around eight hundred for most things and you get a good balance.

Can you spin twice

Yes, it does not harm the fabric and it saves drying time. It is especially useful for thick items that are still heavy with water after the first round.