Is it okay to leave clothes out to dry overnight?

Author: Prof. Leonardo Abernathy DVM  |  Last update: Saturday, April 26, 2025

Martha Stewart says leaving wet clothes overnight is “perfectly alright.” Martha's blog even says this can be a smart move if you're air drying the next morning—because sitting overnight helps get rid of excess water.

Can I leave my clothes outside to dry overnight?

Yes, you can hang your clothes out at night. It'll take much longer to dry, given the lack of sunlight. Bats - old wives' tale. Might be worth investing in a tumble dryer though, if time prevents you from hanging clothes during the day, or if there's a lack of space for a clothesline.

Is it OK to leave clothes wet overnight?

Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine overnight is generally not recommended for several reasons. Wet clothes that sit in a closed, dark, and damp environment, such as the washing machine drum, are prone to developing unpleasant odors and even mildew.

Is it okay to leave clothes soaked overnight?

Soaking clothes overnight, whether inside a washing machine or out, is best avoided. Follow recommended guidelines when soaking clothes and using chemicals, and always remember that prolonged soaking can and will damage your clothes.

Will clothes dry inside overnight?

Yes, you can dry your laundry indoors in winter, but it's worth taking a couple of precautions to prevent mildew and mould building up in your home as the clothes dry. Can clothes dry indoors in winters? Clothes can dry indoors in winter, but it can affect air quality, humidity and lead to mould.

3 Steps to Drying Clothes Outside During Winter

Why shouldn't we dry clothes at night?

Do not leave laundry outside at night as it risks humidity and bad odors. Better to spread it out during the day for good drying in the air fresh.

Is it okay to dry clothes inside out?

Do clothes dry better inside out? When you dry your clothes inside out, you're helping to prevent color fading and lint buildup on the outside of the items that may occur from tumbling in the dryer. Drying your clothes inside out helps to prevent damage to the garment as a whole.

How long before wet clothes mildew?

Leaving Wet Clothes in the Washer Can Cause Bacteria and Mildew to Grow. The biggest downside of leaving your clothes in the washing machine for more than eight to twelve hours is that, after this period, there's a greater chance that bacteria, mold, and mildew will grow.

Will clothes dry if they are soaked?

Will clothes dry in the dryer if they are soaking wet? Although your dryer is designed to help dry wet clothes, clothes that are soaking wet can take hours to dry in a tumble dryer – especially if it is made up of heavier garments and large linens.

What days should you not do washing?

One of the most prevalent New Year's superstitions is that on January 1 no washing should be done. However, some people go one step further and make it a custom to keep any dirty clothes unwashed from Christmas until New Year's Day.

How do you dry wet clothes overnight?

Cold air is dry air. So put your clothes on the rack in one room, leave the window open, and close the door to the room.

Is it OK to sleep in a room with wet clothes drying?

Louise Carter at Sleep Bubble urged: “Avoid drying clothes indoors where possible, but never dry them in an occupied bedroom as they are the worst rooms. “Damp laundry increases air moisture by 30 percent, magnifying the risk of breathing difficulties while sleeping and compromising the immune system.”

What to do if you forgot to dry your clothes?

If you forgot to dry your laundry, it is safe to hang it out to dry for about 1 hour in the summer and about 2 hours in the winter. Bacteria, mold, and Moraxella bacteria that cause odors tend to multiply when the temperature is 20 to 30 degrees and the humidity is over 60%.

Is it bad to leave clothes wet overnight?

Even house expert Martha Stewart states that there are no adverse effects if the clothes are left overnight in the washer or dryer. The best way to determine whether the clothes are okay is to smell them. If the clothes do not have an unpleasant odor, they are fine to put out to dry.

How long does it take for clothes to air dry overnight?

For a load of laundry that was spun in a washing machine, and hung indoors in average conditions, the "easy" items will be dry in about 5 hours, and the "difficult" items will finish in about 9 hours. Also see our Air Dry All Types of Clothing article for tips on each different clothing type.

Is it better to dry clothes inside or outside in winter?

"If it's humid and cold outside, your clothes might dry only very slowly or not at all. That would be an ideal situation to use an indoor drying rack to take advantage of the heat inside your house. If it's dry and cold outside, you might get freeze-dried clothes.

Can I leave clothes to dry outside overnight?

It's entirely up to you exactly when you hang the washing out - if you need to leave early in the morning, you can hang it out while it's still dark. Nothing bad will happen! In fact, in the summer you can even hang the washing out before you go to bed so that it's all ready for the sun as soon as it comes up.

What to do if your clothes are too wet to dry?

When clothes are still wet after a spin cycle, try pressing excess water out of your laundry by hand over your washing machine or sink before putting them in the dryer. You can also try running a spin cycle to help remove excessive water from your load.

Is it bad to air dry wet clothes?

Hanging laundry to dry outdoors can capitalize on natural air circulation and sunlight, experts say. Beyond the fresh smell, exposure to the sun can also have antimicrobial and whitening effects on fabrics, Karpova says.

Can you soak clothes overnight?

Soaking clothes overnight can work well for really tough stains, but you don't always need to do it, and it can be a bit risky. For most stains, soaking for 4 to 6 hours should be enough.

How quickly does mold grow on wet clothes?

If your clothes are damp or in a humid environment with little ventilation, this often leads to mold growth. Mold can start growing on wet clothing as soon as 24 to 48 hours. You should be able to discover mold on your clothing from the musty smell.

Can wet clothes in the dryer cause fire?

Stuffing too many wet clothes or bedding into a dryer can cause an excess of lint to accumulate. Since lint buildup reduces a dryer's ability to ventilate, the machine may quickly overheat and cause a fire to break out.

Why you shouldn't dry clothes indoors?

Experts have found that clothes put on drying frames or draped over warm radiators raise moisture levels in our homes by up to 30 per cent, creating ideal breeding conditions for mould spores – and one in particular called aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause potentially fatal lung infections.

Why turn socks inside out for washing?

Turning socks inside out will ensure that the detergent and agitation hit the smelliest parts of your sock hardest, and helps wash away the odor-causing bacteria and other dangerous microbes. That reduces the risk that you'll end up with less-than-fresh socks and smelly feet.

Is it sanitary to dry clothes outside?

Drying clothes outside is cheaper and healthier, as the sun's UV rays kill bacteria and dust mites, and can even bleach away stains.

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