Do-it-yourself dryer

An assist to travel clothing is my cheap clothing dryer. You’ll need an over-the-door clothes hanger holder that will take about four hangers; three or four plastic clothes hangers; a plastic garment bag, and a hair dryer (sometimes supplied by the hotel/B&B).

• Wash the clothing in a sink and rinse it well.

• Place the damp clothing in a towel, then roll up the towel and twist it to soak up the moisture. (A cotton towel works best.)

• Hang the item of clothing on the hanger holder. Put it between the other hangers so there’s space around the item. Then cover all the hangers with a plastic garment bag. (The bags you get from a dry cleaner are large and weigh nothing.) 

• Place the hair dryer under the garment bag so it blows upward into the “wind tunnel.” Placing the hair dryer on an upside-down wastebasket gets it closer to the bottom of the bag. (Occasionally, you may need to use an extension cord.)

However, it’s probably NOT a good idea to do this with a hair dryer if you’re not nearby. If the dryer were to fall, it could start a fire.

Often, the clothes will dry in an hour. Synthetic fabrics take even less time.

The only item with any significant weight is the dryer. If you use your own dryer, make sure it has a plug adapter and can be used on either 220V or 120V, as most outlets outside of the US are 220V. (The dryer will not work in a shaver outlet.)

I have been trying to find a towel, etc., that will get the clothes more free of water by wringing and have found nothing better than a cotton towel. Anyone with a better finding, please let us know, as traveling “light” is the only practical way to go.

CHARLES SEVERS

Louisville, KY