A method for controlling a clothing drying apparatus, the clothing drying apparatus comprising a drying drum and a heating device, wherein a drying process of the clothing drying apparatus comprises a load determining stage, a first heating stage, a second heating stage, an extra drying stage and a cold air stage that are run in sequence, and characterized in that the control method comprises: determining a size of load in the load determining stage; and if the load is a large load, then controlling the drying drum to rotate in one direction in the first heating stage; acquiring a water content of the load when the clothing drying apparatus is running the first heating stage; controlling the clothing drying apparatus to run the second heating stage if the water content is smaller than or equal to a first water content threshold; and controlling the drying drum to rotate in forward and reverse directions alternately in the second heating stage, wherein the step of "determining a size of load" further comprises: controlling the drying drum to rotate in one direction and the heating device to blow cold air; acquiring a plurality of humidity values successively within a first preset time; calculating the number of humidity values that are larger than or equal to a first humidity threshold in the plurality of humidity values; when the number is larger than or equal to a preset number or a ratio of the number to a total number is larger than a preset ratio, determining that the load is a large load; and otherwise, determining that the load is a small load. determining a size of load in the load determining stage; and if the load is a large load, then controlling the drying drum to rotate in one direction in the first heating stage; acquiring a water content of the load when the clothing drying apparatus is running the first heating stage; controlling the clothing drying apparatus to run the second heating stage if the water content is smaller than or equal to a first water content threshold; and controlling the drying drum to rotate in forward and reverse directions alternately in the second heating stage, wherein the step of "determining a size of load" further comprises: controlling the drying drum to rotate in one direction and the heating device to blow cold air; acquiring a plurality of humidity values successively within a first preset time; calculating the number of humidity values that are larger than or equal to a first humidity threshold in the plurality of humidity values; when the number is larger than or equal to a preset number or a ratio of the number to a total number is larger than a preset ratio, determining that the load is a large load; and otherwise, determining that the load is a small load. controlling the drying drum to rotate in one direction and the heating device to blow cold air; acquiring a plurality of humidity values successively within a first preset time; calculating the number of humidity values that are larger than or equal to a first humidity threshold in the plurality of humidity values; when the number is larger than or equal to a preset number or a ratio of the number to a total number is larger than a preset ratio, determining that the load is a large load; and otherwise, determining that the load is a small load.