Many of you might say that drying clothes is a simple process that doesn’t require advice, but that’s not always true. Each of us has our own ways and places to hang our laundry. It’s a habit and a routine that’s hard to change or break, but let’s take a closer look at this topic.
We’ll divide the topic into two parts: drying clothes during the warm season and during the cold season. For the first one, we won’t talk too much.
Summer is the time for all of us to take a break – including our tumble dryer. However, many homemakers are too busy to hang their clothes, so they simply press the button and the clothes come out dry. The “most useful” way for our clothes, though, is to take them out on the balcony or under a canopy to dry naturally. The dryer can wrinkle clothes and even deform or damage their structure. The rule here is that clothes should not be exposed directly to sunlight. Of course, if you have no other alternative, at least turn them inside out with the seams facing outward, since the sun – and mainly its UV rays – will make your clothes lose their shine and strength. And now comes the more important part of the article.
This is where you’re most likely to make mistakes. Forget for a moment the past, when your grandmothers dried clothes near the stove. Today there are fewer stoves, but indoor drying is becoming increasingly popular – and this is extremely wrong and harmful. First of all, let’s point out the damage that moisture from clothes causes to our health. Moisture can lead to mold, which in turn causes headaches, shortness of breath, asthma, or allergies… simply awful. Even the air conditioner or central heating will struggle to remove the damp air. If, however, you decide to dry clothes in a room that is unoccupied and unheated, here’s another surprise… it doesn’t work either. When the temperature in the room drops below 11–12 degrees Celsius, moisture stops evaporating into the air and is absorbed directly into the walls and ceilings. This can cause many negative consequences for the walls and even the building’s structure. What about the kitchen? The kitchen is also a living space, so again, it doesn’t work. In addition, wet clothes absorb odors very intensely. So if you decide to cook, be aware that the next day your clothes will constantly “remind” you of your latest culinary adventures.
And in the bathroom, since the walls are covered with tiles, can I dry my wet clothes there? No, you can’t. Well, you can, but it’s not the right choice. By default, the bathroom is the most humid room in the house, so the drying process inside will be very slow. So slow, in fact, that it’s highly likely the clothes will develop mold from the humidity, which is why you shouldn’t use that space either. The only place where it’s acceptable to dry them is in the attic, provided you have one. If you don’t have an attic or a dryer, my advice is always to dry your clothes outside (on the balcony or under a canopy). No matter how cold or damp it is, the clothes will eventually dry without posing a risk to you and your family. If you really have no possibility at all to hang them outside, then you must strictly follow a few simple rules:
1. Even though most washing machines spin the clothes, it’s a good idea to shake them out before hanging them indoors. Some fabrics retain more water than others. (You can even spin the clothes twice).
2. Ventilate the room regularly.
3. Place the drying rack under the air conditioner so that the clothes dry faster.
4. Buy a special dehumidifier to regulate the humidity in the room and capture excess moisture.
5. Dry clothes in a room that is not lived in and keep it at a temperature of at least 20 °C.
It’s important to know that not all fabrics dry the same way. And with some of them you may face particular issues, so let’s say a few words on this topic:
The moisture from clothes increases humidity in the room, which can lead to mold, allergies, asthma, and even health issues such as headaches and breathing difficulties.
Do not dry clothes on radiators, stoves, or in unheated rooms with a temperature below 11–12 °C — the moisture condenses directly on surfaces and may damage the walls and the structure.
Choose rooms with good ventilation, air them regularly, and if possible, avoid drying clothes in the most frequently used living spaces.
Increased humidity and mold can trigger asthma attacks, allergies, poor air quality, and even infections, especially in sensitive people or babies.
The best method is natural drying outdoors, on a balcony or under a canopy. Another option is to use well-ventilated rooms or energy-efficient dryers, rather than drying in the living room or bedroom.