The Genius Way to Make Your Clothes Dry Up To 20% Faster

Waiting for clothes to dry is akin to waiting for a watched pot of water to boil. Anyone who’s ever done laundry knows all too well the frustration with dryers that take absolutely forever to actually do their job: they’re the worst. Like, worse than black licorice worse and that’s saying something. If you have access to a dryer at home, here’s a genius way to save time, energy, and money. And bonus, it works for both renters and homeowners alike.

Honestly, who doesn’t want to conserve electricity, help the environment and make our dryers last longer? —then here’s what to do according to This Old House.

Simply pull your dryer away from the wall and examine the dryer vent. If there is extra venting pipe (that metallic flexible accordion tube that reminds you of a robot arm), simply cut it back. The clamp that holds it in place is held on by a single screw. Remove the clamp, cut back excess venting and reattach the clamp! It’s as simple as that. If the heat can leave the vent faster, then it, in turn, removes the moisture from the dryer faster and your dryer doesn’t have to run as long! And, the less your dryer runs, the longer it will last. It’s a win-win for everyone, only takes a few seconds of your time, and can make your clothes dry 20% faster!

You’ll also save a little bit of money too. This Old House estimates you’ll save about $25 a year on electricity, gas, or propane. Hey, that’s a couple of movie tickets at least.