How to dry clothes indoors without damp problems
Short answer: Drying indoors releases a lot of moisture into the room, more than most people expect. Air the room while clothes dry, and avoid drying in the bedroom, so the moisture stays away from the rooms where it does the most damage over time.
The moisture needs to leave the room
An ordinary machine load of laundry releases several litres of water into the room as it dries, and without airing that moisture ends up in walls, windows and cupboards. Open a window slightly, or air the room a few times a day while clothes hang. See washing and care.
Not in the bedroom
The bedroom is already the room in the home with the most moisture from the night, because the body releases moisture for hours on end while you sleep. Dry clothes somewhere else, ideally with a window cracked open, so the two moisture sources are not added together.
Give the pieces room to breathe
Hung too close together, clothes dry slowly, and slow drying gives more time for a musty smell to start. Leave space between each piece so air can move all the way around, rather than only between the outer pieces on the rack.
Press the water out first
Roll heavy pieces like towels inside a dry towel before hanging, and press firmly. This often halves the drying time, because much of the excess water is removed mechanically instead of having to evaporate. See bamboo towels.
Heavy pieces should lie flat
Knits and heavy jumpers should dry flat on a towel or a rack made for it, not hang on a hanger. Hanging pulls them out of shape under their own weight, while lying flat holds the shape better. See bamboo bedding.
Bedding takes the longest
Bedding and larger pieces take longer to dry than smaller clothes, precisely because they hold more water and have less surface area relative to their weight. Give them extra space and ideally a central spot where air circulates best.
Underwear dries fastest
The lightest pieces, such as underwear and socks, dry fastest and can be hung at the edge, so they are ready first and do not block airflow to the heavier pieces. See men's bamboo underwear.
Take clothes down once dry
Clothes left hanging long after they are dry collect dust and can start to smell stale, even though they are no longer damp. Take them down and put them away as soon as they are dry to the touch everywhere.
In short
Air the room while clothes dry, avoid the bedroom, and leave space between pieces. Press the water out of heavy items first, and let knits lie flat. Then you avoid moisture problems even if you dry all your laundry indoors all winter.
Frequently asked questions
Can you dry clothes indoors?
Yes, but air the room while they dry. An ordinary machine load releases several litres of water into the room, and that moisture needs somewhere to go.
Where should you not dry clothes?
In the bedroom. It is already the room with the most moisture from the night, because the body releases moisture for hours on end while you sleep.
How can clothes dry faster?
Roll heavy pieces in a towel and press the water out first, and leave space between pieces on the rack so air can move all the way around.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
