How to dry clothes indoors without them smelling

Short answer: Clothes that dry slowly indoors start to smell. Air around the clothes matters more than heat, so hang them spread out and air the room.

Air rather than heat

A radiator without air circulation dries more slowly than a drying rack in the middle of the room with an open window.

Hang them spread out

Clothes touching each other dry slowly at exactly that spot. Give each piece room on the rack.

Shake them out

Shake each piece before you hang it up. That straightens creases and shortens the drying time.

Air the room

One load gives off several litres of water into the room. Air it out a couple of times, otherwise the moisture settles into walls and clothes.

What smells first

Towels and thick sweat pieces. They need the most room and the most air. See bamboo towels.

Thin clothes dry fastest

Underwear and t-shirts in bamboo viscose typically dry overnight. See bamboo underwear for women.

No tumble dryer

The tumble dryer is faster but wears bamboo viscose. See how to dry bamboo clothing.

Frequently asked questions

Why do clothes smell after drying indoors?

Because they dry too slowly. Bacteria have time to develop in the damp fabric.

Does heat help?

Less than air. An open window and space around the clothes work better than a warm radiator.

How long does it take?

Thin clothes typically overnight. Towels and sweat can take a day.