Every Washing Machine Can Dry Laundry—and Most People Don’t Know This Function
This viral claim is not quite true. Not every washing machine can actually dry clothes. There is an important difference between spinning clothes to remove water and tumble-drying them with heated or circulating air.
The Hidden Function: The Spin Cycle
Almost every modern washing machine has a spin cycle. During spinning, the drum rotates rapidly and forces much of the water out of the clothes.
This can make laundry feel surprisingly dry when the cycle finishes—but the clothes are not truly dry. They still contain moisture and normally need to be air-dried or placed in a separate dryer.
What About “Extra Spin”?
If your machine has an Extra Spin, High Spin, or similar setting, you can use it after washing to remove additional water.
This can be particularly useful for:
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Towels
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Jeans
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Bedding
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Heavy cotton clothing
However, check the garment’s care instructions because very high spin speeds can increase wrinkling or stress delicate fabrics.
Some Washing Machines Really Can Dry Clothes
If your appliance is a washer-dryer combination, it may have a genuine drying function. These machines can wash and then dry laundry in the same drum, usually using heated air or another drying system.
Look for settings such as Dry, Drying, Cupboard Dry, Iron Dry, or a drying-time selector.
A Simple Trick for Faster Air-Drying
After the wash finishes, run an additional spin cycle if appropriate. Then shake out each item and hang it with enough space for air to circulate.
Good ventilation and moving air can significantly speed up drying.
Bottom Line
The claim that “every washing machine can dry laundry” is misleading.
Most washing machines can remove a large amount of water through spinning, but only machines equipped with a dedicated drying system can actually dry clothes inside the machine.
If you tell me your washing machine brand and model, I can explain what its drying or extra-spin functions actually do.
