Extra spin cycle on laundry...does it save $?

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-02-2008, 02:14 PM

I have a gas dryer, and in the winter time our gas prices skyrocket. I don't use the dryer in the summer, I always hang laundry on the line, but since I'm in the midwest...I don't have that luxury in the winter!

I have heard that if you run an extra spin cycle on your washer after the load has already finished, that you can save a little bit of drying time. Granted, I'd be using a bit more electricity to run the extra spin cycle on the washer, but our electricity is much lower cost than the gas for the dryer. I'm just not sure if it would make that much of a difference in drying time and ultimately, the cost.

Has any tried this? Does it work, or is it not worth the extra effort and electricity? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

**pkellyc** · 01-02-2008, 03:17 PM

I have an extra spin cycle built into my new washer. It does save on drying time.

**DAAC3DEC** · 01-02-2008, 03:19 PM

Interesting, you guys teach me so much, something I would never have thought of.....

**happydog** · 01-02-2008, 05:39 PM

Momto2boyz, you also might consider hanging a clothesline inside, for winter use. You can get the clothes dry pretty quickly that way, and also add humidity to the dry winter air.

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-07-2008, 11:19 AM

I have tried an indoor clothes line and I have had really bad luck with it. It can take up to 2 days to get my clothes dry! I have no idea why it takes so long...plus, our house is very small, so I don't have alot of room to dry clothes, especially when it takes that long!

I added an extra spin cycle to the wash, and I've knocked off 20 minutes of drying time on each load, some even more! It is only taking about 15 - 20 minutes to dry a heavy duty load, where as before it was taking as long as 40 - 45 minutes!

**tina150** · 01-07-2008, 12:18 PM

I have one of these..

http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1362775

and I love it you can fit quite a few clothes on it and I don't use the dryer for my good shirts, underwear, etc. Pretty much anything that has a chance of fading or melting

**tina150** · 01-07-2008, 12:20 PM

Oh, I also spin them twice before hanging them up, seems to help on dry time

**birthgeek** · 01-07-2008, 02:23 PM

I have two of the same wooden folding racks for drying clothes, as well as two lines strung across one side of my laundry room for hanging loads to dry. I find if I wait until I have two wet, just-washed loads ready to hang, and toss them in the dryer for 5-10 minutes before hanging, they dry up without wrinkles or stiffness! And seem to dry a little faster, too - though for heavier stuff like jeans and sweatshirts, I'm going to start using the second spin option! I hadn't thought of that, either.

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-07-2008, 05:42 PM

I never thought of the extra spin before now, but that certainly would help them air dry alot fast too!

I might have to give it a shot andt try drying inside!

**frugalnana** · 01-07-2008, 07:47 PM

I use it when I wash towels and dh's work clothes and it does cut the drying time in half.
On his shirts I just hang from the washer and put in the bathroom to dry.
But for heavy items its worth it.

**krbshappy71** · 01-07-2008, 08:07 PM

Shake shake shake, shake yer booty......

A tip I read in one of those bazillion tip books was to SHAKE the clothes out when removing them from the washer. SHAKE SHAKE! This has worked very well for me with the jeans, I do believe they are drying faster. I used to have to run them through a second dryer cycle (on medium heat both times) and now they are dry in only one cycle. I also think it helps with the knits. It certainly helps me "catch" those sneaky t-shirts with cutsie designs that should not even BE in the dryer.

**EnergyBoomer** · 01-07-2008, 08:40 PM

Thanks to all of you I learned something today, spin twice and dry half as long.

Both use electric for the motor but spinning does not use the heat.

Save the heat and save the cash.

Even an old Energy Boomer can learn new tricks.

**Edna_E** · 01-07-2008, 09:00 PM

Me too! Also, I have the wooden rack, and I position under the heating vent in the winter - works over night!

**elphaba** · 01-07-2008, 09:43 PM

Me three! I have 2 racks that I set out in my great room where the woodstove is. usually dries overnight or by dinner if I set them out in the early am. I always spin twice and it does seem to help a bit. Sometimes I run the heavy stuff (jeans etc) in the dryer a few minutes and then hang.
I do hate how my house looks like a laundromat with all the clothes drying everywhere...I have an open floor plan and no basement so the clothes are all in my way most of the time. Nothing like having unannounced company over and your undies hanging on the rack while your serving coffee!! **wink** lol
For all the grief it causes I must say hanging up the laundry does help with the electric. Our electric cost here is one of the most expensive around. Thank goodness hubby does his own laundry at the firehouse on the days he works. We consider that a "bonus" of his job!

**CristiK** · 01-07-2008, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

Shake shake shake, shake yer booty......

A tip I read in one of those bazillion tip books was to SHAKE the clothes out when removing them from the washer. SHAKE SHAKE! This has worked very well for me with the jeans, I do believe they are drying faster. I used to have to run them through a second dryer cycle (on medium heat both times) and now they are dry in only one cycle. I also think it helps with the knits. It certainly helps me "catch" those sneaky t-shirts with cutsie designs that should not even BE in the dryer.

The shaking does help...but don't tell my husband I said that!!!! We had a huge fight shortly after we were married because we were paying to use the apartment laundry facility and he said we had to shake them out so it would not take as long to dry them. Well, he got that tip from another woman before we met and I didn't want to shake the d*** laundry!!!!