Optimization of environmental performance in domestic tumble dryers: A proposed solution for sustainable textile drying

Abstract The growing dependence on energy‐intensive household clothes dryers presents pressing sustainability challenges, while systematic investigations correlating operational parameters with quantifiable energy‐carbon tradeoffs are critically lacking. This study bridges this knowledge gap by investigating the energy and environmental performance of tumble drying through an experimental framework integrating textile properties, operational parameters, and drum geometry. A response surface methodology with 40 designed experimental conditions quantified specific moisture extraction rate, carbon footprint, and monetary utility cost. Multivariate analysis revealed four statistically significant determinants: drum speed (optimal at 1.5 m/s for falling textile motion), load size (3 kg balancing airflow efficiency), air mass flow rate (220 m 3 /h ensuring heat/mass transfer), and initial moisture content (lowered via mechanical dewatering). Through parameter optimization, an eco‐efficient drying procedure achieved 47.7% lower energy consumption, 55.4% higher specific moisture extraction rate, 70.9% reduced carbon emissions, and 77.9% lower monetary utility cost compared with conventional methods. These results highlight the importance of optimizing drying parameters to reduce environmental impact and operational costs. The study provides actionable insights for consumers to adopt sustainable laundry habits and for manufacturers to improve dryer designs. By bridging empirical data, technical optimization, and behavioral strategies, this work establishes a holistic framework for sustainable clothes drying, contributing to household carbon mitigation efforts.