Drying Clothes advice

[Maylian]

What tips/tricks/gear do people have for drying their commuting clothes either at home or at work?

This week has been especially damp, whilst my office has a shower, it doesn't have any area to dry clothes beyond a piddly radiator in the shower room. What tricks or kit would people recommend to help dry kit during the day ready for the homeward journey? I'm thinking mostly related to shoes, as putting wet cycle shoes back on is unpleasant and I don't have spare shoes to switch to (unlike socks, bibs, jerseys).

 

[13 rider]

Newspaper in the shoes , surprisingly affective

 

[Specialeyes]

Newspaper in the shoes , surprisingly affective

This, then put them on top of a bit more newspaper on top of my PC under the desk - the fan has them dry by hometime. (Probably a indication that I should vacuum my PC and have it thrash a bit less!)

 

[annedonnelly]

Worth changing the newspaper in the middle of the day if your shoes are especially wet. This is the whole purpose of those free Metro papers.

 

[fossyant]

Winter boots. Waterproof leggings when especially wet - keeps water out of the top of the boots. Been in my winter boots since September. If no boots, waterproof overshoes.

Drying kit - I did have a oil radiator for that, but all heaters have been removed from the offices. We have a drying cabinet in a cupboard - bit of a faff to get to, but needs must. You could also use coat hangers and a desk fan to dry kit - done that many times.

 

[Dadam]

Scrunched balled up newspaper is the fastest way, but change it every couple of hours if you can. Or move it around so the dryer bits are in the wetter parts.

 

[cyberknight]

Access to the boiler room?

 

[Electric_Andy]

I used to wear as little as possible on the way in; less to get wet, just cover your extremeties (head, ears, fingers). The rest is kept warm by body heat.

We also just had a small radiator - I'd take some hangers in if there are hooks above, or could you ask if some hooks could be put in?

Shoes, I just put upside down but they were usually still damp at the end of the day. Maybe wear some dry socks would stave off the initial cold and wet feeling, but once you get going and your feet warm up I didn't find it an issue.

Is it worth asking your work for more/better provisions for clothes drying and storage? They should have some sort of green travel policy or at the very least a few quid on putting some hooks or a rack above the radiator is not unreasonable

 

[ianrauk]

Newspaper in shoes works a treat along with putting them on top of a radiator. With everything else around it to help dry.
I keep a spare pair of socks in my desk drawer.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

If you are not wearing winter cycling boots then get neoprene covers for your shoes. Hang up damp clothing where possible. Consider the clothing you are wearing and if it doesn’t drip dry quickly consider alternates.

 

[vickster]

Toe covers to stop shoes getting soaked

 

[numbnuts]

Tell boss you need/want a drying area.

 

[Emanresu]

If you are not wearing winter cycling boots then get neoprene covers for your shoes. Hang up damp clothing where possible. Consider the clothing you are wearing and if it doesn’t drip dry quickly consider alternates.

Cotton retains 3 times the amount of moisture compared to polyester so will take longer to dry pro-rata. What are the fabrics in use now?

 

[Maylian]

All good advice. I'll be on the look out for spare newspapers to help with the shoes. I wear overshoes which helps for the most part, but since I don't wear long bibs or full wet weather kit I'm always going to get a bit damp.

I might push our workspace team if we can get a drying facility put in, even if just a small thing. We're a really small and open office, so try to keep it away from my "hotdesk" just to avoid inflicting the horrible damp & sweaty smell on others.

 

[Kingfisher101]

I personally wouldnt be hanging wet clothes up in an open office if they smell. People will complain and its not fair having to smell that all day.
I'd be asking for a cloakroom, drying area with a radiator etc or a dehumidifier etc.
I'd ask the boss in supervision.