How long clothes should dry before you put them away
Short answer: Clothes should be completely dry and cool before they go in the wardrobe, otherwise they can smell musty. How long that takes depends on the fabric, the air in the room and how you dry.
Completely dry is the aim
There is no fixed number of hours, because drying time varies with fabric, thickness and humidity. What matters most is that the clothes are dry all the way through and do not just feel dry on the surface. Moisture shut inside a wardrobe can give a musty smell and, in the worst case, mould. Feel the seams, collar and waistband, because that is where moisture lingers longest. If you are in doubt, give the clothes a little more time.
How to tell that it is dry
Hold the garment against your cheek or the back of your hand. If it feels cool or damp, it is not quite dry, because moisture makes fabric feel cold. If it is completely dry, it feels neutral or slightly warm. Check the thickest places, such as waistbands, the toes of socks and double seams. Dry socks can still have damp toes, so turn them over and feel carefully. Clothes from a tumble dryer should also cool down before you put them away.
Thick and thin fabrics dry differently
Thin fabrics dry faster than thick ones, and smooth ones faster than soft ones. Towels and thick jumpers can take longer, and the same goes for socks with a thick foot. If you hang the clothes in a room with air and a little warmth, it goes faster than in a cold, damp utility room. Give the clothes room too, so that air can move around them. If they hang too close together, it takes longer, and the smell can linger.
Pillowcases and bedding
Bedding takes up a lot of space and can take a long time to dry, especially in winter. Pillowcases are smaller and often dry quickly, but seams and hems can hold moisture. See bamboo pillowcases. Smooth them out before you hang them up, so they do not fold over on themselves. Wait until they are completely dry before you put them away, so the bed does not smell damp the next time you use them.
Socks and footies
Socks are small but can take a while to dry, because the fabric is thick around the foot and heel. Hang them in pairs so that air can get in. See bamboo tennis socks for women, which are often a little thicker under the foot. Footies are lower and usually dry fast, but check the toes. See bamboo footies for women. It depends on the fabric and your habits, so make a fixed routine in which you feel them every time.
If you are short of time
If you are in a hurry, you can hang the clothes in a warm, dry room or use a fan. Do not lay damp clothes together in a pile, because they can begin to smell after a day. Rather leave them open somewhere until dry. With everyday clothes you can give them an extra hour on the rack, and if they are still damp, wait until the next day. That is better than risking a bad smell.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for clothes to dry
It depends on fabric, thickness and humidity. Thin fabrics dry faster, while towels and thick socks take longer.
Can I put damp clothes in the wardrobe
It is best not to. Moisture can give a musty smell. Let the clothes dry completely and cool down before you put them away.
How do I check whether clothes are dry
Hold them against your cheek or the back of your hand. If they feel cold or damp, they are not dry. Check seams, waistbands and toes in particular.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
