Abstract: A sensor is provided that is applicable to new and old clothes dryers, including clothes dryers that have a built-in moisture sensor, because the sensor of the present invention also measures the humidity which has proven to be far more accurate. The retrofit moisture and humidity sensor can be installed in a clothes dryer and can be used to reduce energy consumption for gas and electric clothes dryers. The sensor communicates with a receiver device that shuts off the power to the clothes dryer when the items in the clothes dryer are sufficiently dry as measured by the sensor. An advantage of this inexpensive power saving device is that it does not require any mechanical alterations to the clothes dryer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for reducing energy consumption in both domestic and professional clothes dryers by reducing drying time of clothes being dried. This is result is obtained by using an absorbent, quick drying and/or negatively charged fabric material that is mounted to the drum of the clothes dryer or allowed to circulate with the drying clothes. The drying apparatus is placed inside of a clothes dryer to increase the efficiency of drying clothes in the clothes dryer. The drying apparatus includes a fabric material mounted to a surface, the fabric material being configured to absorb moisture from moist clothes in the dryer and being characterized by being one or both of fast drying and highly absorbent of moisture.