To do our bit for the planet, we have been hanging our washing on a line in the back garden rather than using our electric tumble dryer. Thicker materials such as bath towels and socks are hard and abrasive when dried on the line, in comparison to the soft and fluffy feel of the tumble-dried versions. Why does this happen?
鈥� What is happening to the heavier fabrics in the tumble dryer is 鈥渇elting鈥�. This is due in part to the centrifugal force applied by the action of the dryer, and also in part by the capillary attraction between fibres as the water drains away.
When air drying, if the water items are washed in is hard, then the minerals it contains will precipitate out, which helps to cement the fibres together.
Advertisement
鈥淲atching videos of sea otters fluffing up their fur might be instructive in simulating tumble dryers鈥�
To counteract this, you have to simulate the action of the tumble dryer in separating the fibres before drying takes place. The real experts in this are sea otters (though they don鈥檛 have to deal with spin or tumble dryers). Watching video of them fluffing up their own fur and that of their cubs might be instructive 鈥� or at least entertaining, with a high 鈥渁hh鈥� factor.
As a single person with ready access to outdoor drying, I cannot justify having a tumble dryer. Every towel gets vigorously shaken before being hung out to dry. Bath mats are a bit too heavy, so their nap is fluffed up by brushing with an outstretched hand. It works for me.
Mike Coon Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK
We pay 拢25 for every answer published in 快猫短视频. To answer this question 鈥� or ask a new one 鈥� visit newscientist.com/lastword. Terms and conditions apply.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淟aundry stiffener鈥�