How to Dry Clothes While Camping

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

Whether you got caught in the rain, went fishing, or had to walk through a stream, wet clothes are just a fact of life while camping. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to dry out your wet clothes. The easiest way is an old-fashioned clothesline tied between 2 trees. If you don’t have a rope, then there are a few other methods that can dry your clothes just as fast.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Setting up a Clothesline

1
Tie a rope between 2 trees in a sunny spot. An old-fashioned clothesline is the best method for drying clothes on a camping trip. Find 2 trees in a sunny spot and close enough together for you to tie a rope between them. Wrap the rope around both trees and tie a knot to connect the rope ends.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You don’t necessarily need trees. Any kind of pole or stake will work as well.
- If you don't have rope, any other material that you can tie around a tree will work as well. Paracord, twine, or string can do the trick as well. Always include some materials like these in your camping pack.
- Try to find a spot with good airflow as well. A light breeze will dry your clothes much faster.
2
Squeeze out all of your clothes to remove excess water. Your clothes will dry faster if you wring them out a bit before hanging them, especially if they’re soaked. Squeeze and twist each wet item to get rid of excess moisture.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Try rubbing the clothes between your hands too. The friction can start evaporating some of the water.
Advertisement
3
Drape your wet clothes over the rope with some space between items. After wringing the clothes out, hang each item over the rope. Spread and flatten each one out so it dries faster. Also leave a few inches of space in between each item so there’s good airflow.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You could also pack some clothespins to help keep the clothes in place. This is helpful if it’s windy.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
4
Wait about 1 hour for the clothes to dry. Depending on how sunny and windy it is, the clothes could take between 20 minutes and 2 hours to dry. Check back in about an hour to see if they’re dry enough. If not, leave them on the line to dry some more.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Keep an eye on the weather while your clothes are drying. If it gets cloudy, be prepared to bring your clothes into your tent quickly if it starts raining.
5
Build a campfire a few feet away to speed up the process. The increased heat from a campfire will make the water evaporate faster. Build a campfire about 5 ft (1.5 m) from the clothesline and let it burn while the clothes dry.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Always follow campfire safety guidelines. Clear the area of any dry vegetation, dig a pit, and surround it with rocks to keep the fire contained. Always extinguish the fire with water or dirt before leaving it unattended.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Never put the fire directly under the clothes. This will burn them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Drying without a Clothesline

1
Wrap the wet clothes in a dry towel to soak up moisture. This method won’t get your clothes completely dry, but it’ll soak up a lot of water. Wring your clothes out a little and lay them on top of a dry towel. Fold the towel over the clothes and press it down. Leave the clothes there for 20-30 minutes while the towel absorbs the moisture.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Make sure the towel was completely dry before you start this method.
2
Lay your clothes on a warm rock in the sun. If you don’t have a rope or clothesline, then a warm rock can dry your clothes quickly. Lay any wet items flat onto the rock and make sure they aren’t touching each other. Let them sit in the sun for about an hour.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- The rock might be dirty, so try wiping it off a little before placing any clothes down.
- If you have several wet items, then you’ll probably have to find more than one rock or dry your clothes in groups.
- If it's windy out, weigh down the clothes with smaller rocks or similar heavy items. Otherwise, they might blow away.
3
Drape your clothes over the roof of your tent. Your tent is another good backup spot to hang wet clothes. Lay all the clothes out flat and leave some space between all the items. Check back in about an hour to see if the clothes need more time to dry.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Make sure the top of your tent isn’t wet, especially if it rained recently. Wipe it down with a towel first.
- Since the tent won’t be as warm as the rock, it’ll probably take longer for clothes to dry here.
4
Hang wet clothes on a string inside your tent if it’s raining. If you have a rope or string but it’s raining outside, you can try drying them inside your tent. Tie the rope across your tent and hang the wet clothes on it like a clothesline. Leave any windows open to increase the airflow in your tent and dry the clothes faster.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- If the clothes are dripping, don’t hang them over your sleeping bag. You might get wet while you’re sleeping.
- The clothes will dry slower if it’s raining because the air is damp. It’ll probably take a few hours for your clothes to dry with this method.
5
Tie wet clothes to your pack if you’re traveling. If you’re hiking and can’t stop to set up a clothesline, you can still dry some clothes while you’re on the move. Use clips or string and tie them to your pack. The wind and sun will help dry them out faster.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- This is best for smaller items like socks and underwear, but you can try it on some larger pieces like shirts too.
- Check behind you every so often to make sure you don’t drop any clothes.