The little-known washing machine setting that makes clothes dry faster in winter

As the colder months settle in, drying clothes indoors becomes a daunting and time-consuming task for many Britons.

With shorter days and chilly, damp weather, the convenience of line-dried summer laundry is no longer an option.

Fortunately, a savvy decluttering expert has shared a lesser-known tip that promises to cut down on indoor drying times significantly.

Nicola Lewis, a decluttering and cleaning expert with nearly 200,000 followers on her Instagram account @thisgirlcanorganise, recently revealed a “secret” feature on washing machines that could have your garments ready to wear much quicker.

In her latest Instagram video, titled “How to dry your clothes indoors,” Nicola shared a handy washing machine trick: using the “Drum/Spin” setting twice.

Her catchphrase, “Double Spin for the Win”, is quickly catching on with her audience.

Nicola explained that after the washing cycle is complete, leaving the clothes in the drum for an additional spin cycle – without adding any more water – can make a noticeable difference in how dry they come out.

This extra spin helps extract even more moisture, which reduces the overall drying time significantly.

Her video caption read: “Double spin your laundry! Your clothes will come out much drier, allowing them to dry quicker. Always give your clothes a quick shake before hanging to dry to remove any creases.”

But Nicola’s expertise doesn’t stop at the washing machine.

She also shares her tried-and-tested method for indoor drying, which is both effective and energy-conscious.

According to Nicola, using an airer and a dehumidifier can work wonders for drying laundry indoors without relying on central heating.

“A dehumidifier will draw moisture from the air and dry your clothes quicker,” she explained.

For those without a dehumidifier, she advised placing the airer near natural light and opening a window to help with ventilation.

Another budget-friendly trick Nicola suggested is using a fan to circulate air.

“A fan will circulate cold air, helping your clothes to dry faster while also preventing mould,” she added, noting that this method is “cheaper than putting the heating on.”

Spacing out clothes on the airer and hanging items on hangers before placing them on the rack can also help speed up the drying process, Nicola says.

She also recommended rotating the clothing a few times to ensure even drying.