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 while they dry.
Air rather than heat
A radiator without air circulation dries more slowly than a drying rack in the middle of the room with a window open. It is the air that carries moisture away from the fabric. When the air is still, moisture lingers around the clothes and drying stalls. Place the rack where air can move freely on every side.
Hang spread out
Clothes that touch each other dry slowly exactly where they touch. Those damp spots are the first to smell. Give each item its own space on the rack, and hang fewer things at once. If you have a lot of laundry, use two racks or an extra line alongside.
Shake the clothes out
Shake each item firmly before hanging it up. It smooths out folds, opens the fibres and shortens the drying time. Clothes hung up crumpled hold water in the creases. Pull seams and edges into place at the same time, so the clothes dry in the right shape and need no ironing afterwards.
Air the room
A machine load of washing releases several litres of water into the room as it dries. Air the room a few times a day with a through draught for five to ten minutes. Otherwise the moisture settles in walls, windows and the clothes themselves. Dry in a room with a door you can close if possible.
What smells first
Towels and thick sweat pieces hold the most water and dry the slowest. That is why they are the ones most likely to smell. Give them the most space and the airiest spot on the rack. Hang towels over a single bar, so air reaches both sides. See bamboo towels.
Thin clothing dries fastest
Underwear and t-shirts in bamboo viscose usually dry overnight when hung freely. The thin fabric releases water quickly, which is why they rarely smell. Hang them along the edge of the rack, so the thick items get the space in the middle. See bamboo underwear for women.
Spin properly
The less water in the clothes when they leave the machine, the faster they dry. Use the highest spin speed the clothes can take. For bamboo viscose a moderate speed is fine, while towels can take more. Take the clothes out straight away, so they do not lie wet and compressed in the drum.
No tumble dryer
A tumble dryer is quicker, but heat and movement wear bamboo viscose and can make it shrink. Dry on a line or flat instead, even if it takes a little longer. With enough air and space, clothes are usually dry within a day. See how to dry bamboo clothing.
If the clothes still smell
If clothes smell after drying, it is often a sign they stayed damp for too long. Wash them again and dry them with more air and fewer items on the rack. Also check whether there is too much detergent or softener in the wash, because residue holds on to odour.
In short
Hang clothes spread out, shake them first and air the room. Give towels and thick items the most space, and let thin clothing dry along the edge. With air around each piece, clothes dry fast enough not to smell, even in the middle of winter.
Frequently asked questions
Why do clothes smell after drying indoors?
Because they dry too slowly. Bacteria have time to develop in the damp fabric. More air, fewer items on the rack and airing the room usually solve the problem.
Is it best to dry clothes on the radiator?
No, not directly on the radiator. The clothes lie pressed against the heat with no air around them. A rack nearby with air on all sides dries faster and more evenly.
How often should I air the room?
A few times a day while the clothes are drying. Five to ten minutes of through draught is enough to let the damp air out and replace it with dry air from outside.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
