An indoor drying rack without damp problems

Short answer: A machine load of laundry gives off up to two litres of water into the air. Without ventilation it ends up on windows and walls. With a room you can close off and an open window, you can dry indoors without damp problems.

Why indoor drying needs thought

Laundry drying indoors gives all its moisture to the air in the home. A machine load releases up to two litres of water, and that amount has to go somewhere. If the room is not aired, the moisture settles on windows and walls, and over time that is what causes problems.

How to do it properly

Put the rack in a room you can close off, open the window a crack and shut the door. That way the moisture leaves through the window instead of spreading through the whole home. Choose a room without carpets and upholstered furniture, and keep the rack away from a cold wall.

Why it makes a difference

Moisture in the air settles where it is coldest, typically on windows and outer walls. Over time it leads to mould. An hour of draught removes most of it, so air the room when the laundry is dry, or while it dries if you can. It is a simple habit that protects both home and clothes.

How to dry faster

Leave space between the pieces, shake them out before hanging and turn them after a few hours. Air that can circulate matters more than heat. Hang thick things on the outside and thin ones inside, so the air reaches whatever dries slowest, and give each piece its own place.

Bedding and towels

Big items like bedding and towels take up a lot of room and release the most water. See bamboo bedding and bamboo towels, and hang them apart with good air. Drape them over the bars so they do not lie in a tight pile, and turn them halfway through drying.

T-shirts and light pieces

Light pieces dry faster and are easy to hang. See bamboo t-shirts for men, which dry faster than thick items when there is air around them. Hang them on a hanger or with the sleeves out to the side over the rack, so water does not collect in the seams.

A dehumidifier in a closed room

A dehumidifier removes the water instead of moving it, and it works best in a closed room. Shut the door and let it run while the laundry dries. Empty the tank when it is full. It is a good supplement if you cannot air the room, for example in winter.

Avoid the bedroom

The moisture at night is the worst for the indoor climate, because we give off moisture ourselves while we sleep. So do not put the rack in the bedroom if you can avoid it. Choose a room you do not spend time in and can close off and air out.

How long it takes

Expect eight to twenty-four hours, depending on thickness and air change. Thick things like towels and bedding are at the long end. Check the laundry before you take it down, and feel especially at seams and pockets, where moisture stays longest, so the wardrobe does not get a musty smell.