During winter, we have fewer opportunities to dry clothes outdoors. You can’t hang your clothes out when it’s raining and even when it’s not, the air can be too damp to dry clothes quickly.
Also, if you live in a flat or a house without a garden, you might not have space outside to dry your clothes.
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a tumble dryer, this can be a solution for drying clothes efficiently inside. However, some people don’t have the space for a dryer, or the time to go to the launderette. Plus, the cost of running a dryer, or frequent trips to the launderette, can add up.
This is why many people opt to dry their clothes indoors. But there are places where you should and shouldn’t dry your wet laundry.
Read on to find out where to dry your clothes inside and what to do if you live in a smaller space.
Is it OK to Dry Clothes Indoors?
Drying clothes indoors is not ideal because wet clothes release damp into the air which can lead to mould growth. However, it’s not unsafe to do so as long as your home is well ventilated, and some people have no alternative. Luckily, you can take steps to reduce the moisture in the air.
That said, it shouldn’t take more than 24 hours to air dry your clothes indoors. Any more than this may lead to mould growth or musty smelling clothes. If your clothes still aren’t dry after 24 hours, consider finishing them in a tumble dryer or following the steps below.
Where’s the Best Place to Dry Clothes Indoors?
Ideally, you should keep your wet laundry out of your living spaces, such as your living room, kitchen and bedroom. Avoid drying laundry in your bathroom as it’s already a damp space and you don’t want to add more humidity to the air. Plus, clothes will take longer to dry in an already-damp room.
If you have a dedicated laundry room, a spare room or garage, this is the best place to dry your clothes.
Use a drying rack and place it in a room that you use infrequently, such as a laundry room, spare room or even dining room. This means that you won’t be exposed to damp as your clothes dry and you can close the door, to keep in the heat in or encourage air flow by keeping a window open.
If you live in a small space, you may have no other choice than to dry clothes in your living spaces. In this case, be sure to place your drying rack close to a heat source so that your clothes dry faster, and if possible, keep doors closed.
Don’t place wet items directly on a radiator as this will encourage water to evaporate into the air leading to a humid room.
It’s a good idea to invest in a drying rack that can be attached to the ceiling so that it doesn’t take up any floor space and can be stored completely out of sight when not in use.
How to Dry Clothes Faster Inside
If you want to minimise the amount of time that your wet laundry is hanging around the house, follow these tips to reduce drying time:
- Use a high spin cycle before hanging out your washing, as this will get rid of as much moisture as possible.
- Do smaller loads so that you can space items out on the drying rack. This way they will be able to get more air flow.
- Place clothes near a heat source or in a bright window.
- In smaller spaces, place a dehumidifier near to your drying clothes to speed up the drying process.
- Invest in a heated drying rack (see some here), this will help clothes dry quicker and reduce the amount of time that you have damp items in your house.
In The Wash is your guide to the best laundry and cleaning products, tips and tricks. Our mission is to solve the UK’s cleaning and laundry dilemmas!
