Even though I don’t have to do very much of it to begin with, I’ve never really liked ironing. So I’m always on the lookout for tips or tricks that can help make ironing easier, or better yet, make it possible to avoid entirely!
Related: How to Clean Your Iron So It Looks Like New
And that’s exactly the kind of tip that I have to share with you today! Because I recently learned how to use the “damp dry” setting on my dryer, and I only wish that I had learned about it sooner!
What Is The “Damp Dry” Setting?
Depending on your specific dryer model, a “damp dry” setting may do one of two things. One possibility is that this setting will stop the drying cycle when your clothes are still a bit damp to the touch.
The second option is that, instead of stopping at the “damp dry” stage, your dryer will simply sound an alarm at that point while continuing the drying cycle. This is how it works on my dryer, but you may need to consult your dryer’s user manual to know for sure how it works for your specific model.
How To Use The Damp Dry Setting To Make Ironing Easier
There are a couple of ways you can use the damp dry setting to your advantage, depending on the type of clothing in question.
Method #1 – Iron While Damp
One way to do it is to remove the items you’re planning on ironing at the damp dry stage and iron them immediately. This is one of the best ironing hacks I’ve ever uses, since clothes that are slightly damp will get steamier than they would from the iron alone, helping to eliminate wrinkles in record time!
This method is particularly useful when it comes to wrinkle-prone clothing items, like dress shirts, slacks, and linens.
Method #2 – Hang While Damp
The second option is to remove the items at the damp dry stage and hang them (or lay them flat) to dry the rest of the way. For items that are a bit more more wrinkle-resistant, this method may help you avoid ironing entirely!
No Damp Dry Setting? No Problem!
If your dryer doesn’t have a damp dry setting or option, no problem! You can always just take your clothes out of the dryer while they are still a little bit damp.
This may require you to determine how long it takes for an average load to dry if your dryer operates on a moisture sensor rather than a timer. Once you figure out how long an average load takes, you can set a timer for about 10-15 minutes less than the full drying time!
Bonus Tip: Use Your Dryer To Eliminate Wrinkles
Are your clothes a bit wrinkly, but still clean enough to wear? Use your dryer to quickly and easily eliminate wrinkles!
- Toss the item in your dryer with a couple of ice cubes, then dry for about 10 minutes, OR
- Toss the item in your dryer with a dampened hand towel or wash cloth, then dry for 10-15 minutes.
More Ideas You'll Love
Do you use your dryer’s damp dry setting?
I live in an apt. So, What I do is I put my clothes (Jeans (that is turned inside out) and blouse etc. in the dryer. I put my quarters in and hit the High button. I time it for 12 mins then I take out what I don’t wont to dry all the way and hang them up inside my dinning room.(Clothes Drying rack) and my Jeans go on a accordion Drying Rack.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can’t believe that I’ve had this setting on my clothes dryer all along and never even noticed it was even there or if I did, never even bothered to find out what it did. My dryer has to be at at least 35+ years old by now, can’t even remember as I’ve been married 47 years (have only had this dryer serviced maybe 2 times), however, now I am curious about this feature and I’m going to try it next time I have to dry an item that wrinkles. For all these years, I just put the item in the dryer and keep checking on it and when it is damp and has no wrinkles I hang it up to air dry or still hang on the clothesline if a sunny, breezy day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve tried this before. It actually worked great. Our dryer doesn’t have the damp setting- so I just put some ice cubes in. It worked great except l had people at home asking what the noise was- l had to explain what I was trying to do,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In the photo with the clothing rack there is a second rod attached to the top rod; where can I get one like this?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for this wonderful article, after reading this I checked Damp Dry setting on my dryer. You are the life saver.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Usually after using washing machine I was not using the dryer instead drying in sun.
Cheers!!
When weather permits, I, too, hang all my wash from the washer. On rainy or cold days, I do love my dryer and most clothes are permanent press so that means very little ironing. My undies I hang up, either outdoors , with other clothes of sheets days that are sunny, windy and warm. I put them on a portable hanger that I have in our upstairs bathroom. I hooks onto the shower rail and they dry in a few hours.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For my jeans I dislike when the knees get bent out of shape so I keep a spray bottle of water and use a couple sprays on the legs and then in the dryer. This tightens up the whole leg and knee area usually prone to wrinkles. Presto, jeans are like newly cleaned and warm in the winter months when getting dressed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Unless the weather is beastly hot, I wear jeans all the time, with the exception of going to my favorite upscale restaurant, where we go when we want to celebrate an occasion. Then I wear dress pants and a fancy top or a dress. I have dresses from the 1980s that are classic sheaths and they still fit some are even too large as I was a size 6 and now am a size four.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When the weather is hot I wear capris. I am way too old for shorts.
I tried this with my dryer this week and love it. I was glad I have a damp dry settting. So simple don’t know why I never thought about this before.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I bought 5 dryer balls. I’ve had them for five years. No wrinkles!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My dryer has a touch-up button & that works great for wrinkled clothes
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Or, you can use my method. I always wear some kind of sweatshirt or sweater. I iron the collar. Period. I really don’t care how wrinkled the rest of the shirt is…..but the collar looks great. Carry on.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My dryer has a steam refresh setting. Works much like putting the ice cubes or wet towel in with the clothes. Great when those pants are rumpled but still clean enough to wear.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Don’t forget the shake and snap! You get something out of the dryer, not totally dry, then give it a good snappy shake, then either hang or dry flat, smoothing out wrinkles with your hands. Works really well, not to be confused with the bend and snap from Legally Blonde!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Am
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Mother dryer tip.
The next time you dry your clothes toss in a nylon netting bath ball.
It collects the lint.
No more cat fur or lint bunnies on your fAvorite black slacks.
Another dryer tip. If you are drying items that pill. Toss a nylon bath scrubber in with the laundry. All of those nasty little lint balls will no longer be found on your black pants.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are you referring to the mesh loofah bath scrub? If not, I’d love to know what you’re referring to so I can use this tip. It’s a constant problem for me with a dog in the house. Thank you for thinking of sharing this!
By the way, when you use these drying methods that Julie has suggested, your clothes last a lot longer and don’t shrink at all. I use it on all my delicates and never iron.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Long time since you asked… Not a loofah, the soft nylon netting type, also known as a mesh pouf. The netting material is scrunched/gathered into a big ball and tied with a hanging rope. We have pets and use these, they do help get the hair out of clothes.