Why air drying takes the shape with it

Short answer: Because the garment hangs or lies still while the fibres contract. The shape it has at that moment is the shape it sets in.

Weight pulls on wet fabric

A wet garment is heavy. If it hangs from the shoulders, the weight can pull it longer than it was, and the shoulder seam can shift out of shape. Fabric is softest when wet and so gives way to weight. That is one reason air drying should be done with some thought.

Heavy pieces belong flat

Heavy knits should lie flat, so the weight is spread and the length kept. Place them on a towel or a rack with a flat surface, and turn them once when the top is dry. Both sides dry, and the garment does not grow long or pointed at the shoulders. See bamboo sleepwear for women.

Shape it before you hang it

Pull the garment into shape while it is wet. It is the easiest form of ironing. Smooth seams, straighten sleeves and tug at the edge, so the piece lies as it should. The shape it has at that moment is the one it keeps, and after that little can be corrected. See bamboo fitted sheets and bamboo pillowcases.

Hanger or line

T-shirts and shirts can hang on a hanger if it fits the shoulders. A hanger with narrow shoulders can leave ridges that show in the fabric. If you cannot avoid it, use a wide hanger. For pieces with thin straps, it is often better to hang them from the lower hem than from the straps.

Do not hang heavy pieces by the shoulders

Do not hang heavy pieces by the shoulders or straps, because the weight pulls them out. Use the lower edge instead, or lay them flat. If you use pegs, put them in the hem and not in the middle of the fabric. That avoids marks, and the piece dries evenly from top to bottom.

Towels and stiff items

Towels can turn stiff from air drying, because the fibres lie down. Shake them well before hanging, and again when they are dry. If you dry outdoors, wind helps keep them airy. Without wind, a firm shake and a few strokes with your hand can make a clear difference.

How long does it take

Air drying takes from a few hours to a day, depending on fabric, thickness and the air in the room. Thin garments such as T-shirts dry fast, while thick things such as knits and towels take longer. Wait until the piece is fully dry before putting it away, so it does not smell damp or form new creases.

The air in the room counts

The air in the room matters a lot. A warm, dry room with moving air dries laundry fastest. In a cool, damp room it goes slowly, and the laundry can start to smell. Ventilate, and hang the clothes with air around them. Do not hang too much on one rack.

After drying

When the laundry is dry, take it down and fold it. Shake it once, and smooth small creases with your hands. Let heavy knits lie flat in the wardrobe rather than hang. Then the shape holds, and next time you need the piece, it is ready without needing to be straightened.