The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the drying of substrates using a solid particulate material, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum; (b) access means; and (c) at least one collection means, wherein the rotatably mounted cylindrical drum additionally comprises capturing and transferring means, adapted to facilitate collection of the solid particulate material and transfer of the material to the at least one collection means. The invention also provides a method for drying a wet substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, the treatment being carried out using the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus and method find particular application in the drying of wet textile fabrics.