A flow of fresh air carries moisture-laden air away from the drying clothes, minimising condensation back onto the fabric. So, when drying clothes indoors, pick a warm, dry room with good ventilation. Of course, there are also some technological solutions that can speed up this process.
It's advisable to avoid drying laundry in the rooms where you spend the most time: for example, the living room and bedroom. Instead, you should place the drying rack in the bathroom, the kitchen or hallway where you spend less time.
"The wet clothes expel moisture into the air as they dry; which, if not ventilated enough, can condense on cold surfaces and eventually develop into build-ups of mould and mildew," says Lee Devlin, Managing Director at Homecure Plumbers. "Where possible, dry wet clothes outside or use a dryer.
One user wrote: “Hang on an airer and spread out if possible, hang stuff on hangers in front of radiators or open the window when it is mild. Also put in an airing cupboard to finish off when the hot water is on. I've not had my heating on yet and not had anything smell musty or not dry."
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.
The high temperatures in the dryer can ruin some fabrics, causing irreversible damage. Indoor drying increases the humidity level during winter months when the air in homes can become overly dry. And, line drying is energy-efficient, reduces utility bills, and prevents possible dryer fires from excessive lint.
It is never normal for clothing to smell bad after being air-dried. The most common reasons for odours include laundry mistakes, high humidity or air-drying fabrics that do not respond well to the method.
Musty smells usually come from the air having a little too much moisture. Over time, this has the same odorous effect as leaving your clothes in a puddle. Yuck! Here's the good news: if you invest in a powerful dehumidifier, your device will suck in all of the excess moisture in the air, preventing any dank smell.
Most musty odors are caused by mildew and bacteria. So never let wet clothes sit around before drying because dampness and humidity are the perfect breeding ground for musty-smelling bacteria. Thoroughly clean your washing machine of any mold and mildew to ensure everything stays as dry as possible.
It can really help to place it near a source of heat, such as direct sunlight (though first make sure the fabrics aren't partial to fading in the sun) or a radiator. If your radiators are big enough, you can hang clothes straight on them – just make sure you take them off once they are dry so as not to waste the heat.
Also, there is a new energy communication in the clothes, but when you wash and dry your clothes at night, negative energy does not come out of the clothes in the light of the moon. Due to this wrong energy enters the clothes at night. After which that wrong energy comes in contact with you.
Adding a dry towel to wet clothes in the dryer can help to absorb excess moisture and speed up the drying time. This is because the dry towel acts as a wick, pulling moisture out of the wet clothes and into the dry towel. Furthermore, adding a dry towel can also help to fluff up and soften clothes!
According to experts, your preference should always be to dry your clothes outside in the shade. But when the weather doesn't permit this, a clothes rack in a well-ventilated space will suffice.
Laurence warned: “Avoid drying laundry in the 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.
Create a dedicated drying space
This one may not apply, but if you are lucky enough to have the space, Lynsey Crombie recommends choosing a spare bedroom or unused room for drying your clothes quickly. 'Keep the room well ventilated,' she says. 'Open the windows and shut the door so the fresh air can circulate.
Yes – using a dehumidifier for drying clothes. While these can't match the speed of a tumble dryer, laundry dryer dehumidifiers can produce the exact same (if not better) results for your clothes, in a way that is more cost-efficient and that provides additional benefits for the quality and condition of your home.
If you're air drying, put the line in a breezy, dry location (not a dark, damp spot) so the clothes can dry ASAP. If you're using a dryer, then make your clothes smell even better when they come out of the dryer by adding some Gain Dryer Sheets. Dryer sheets help give your clothes an even fresher scent.
The musty odor in your closet may be the result of hanging up, or folding and shelving, freshly-laundered clothes before they've had a chance to dry completely. When confined in an airless space, moist pants and shirts can begin to smell due to a combination of moisture and poor ventilation.
Hung outside, clothes generally dry much quicker, and the ultraviolet light from the Sun kills bacteria quite effectively. In spring and summer, clothes might also trap pleasant-smelling volatile organic compounds released by plants.
Keep garments separated to allow air circulation and faster drying. Place clothes near a fan or a heat vent to air-dry more quickly. Lay sweaters and other stretchy garments flat on a drying rack to help retain their shapes. Turn them at least once to allow them to dry evenly.
Fresh air and sunlight
“Sunlight can kill bacteria because of the ultraviolet rays. Hanging your clothes outside on a nice sunny day with a gentle breeze is the easiest way to remove the bacteria that's making them smell.”
Did you know that drying clothes inside can increase the damp in your property by around 30%? This may encourage mould growth which can turn into health problems and so much more. Ventilation is key when it comes to air drying inside, so remember to open windows, place clothes near a vent or invest in a dehumidifier.
Simply hang over a large clothes horse and perhaps use a freestanding fan to help with airflow. You can also hang smaller sheets over radiators, and these will dry quicker. Drying bedsheets inside unfortunately takes the most amount of time – usually around a day or so.
The late morning to early afternoon hours, between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is the best time of day to hang your clothes out to dry. During this part of the day, the sunshine will adequately dry and disinfect your clothes. The sun's powerful ultraviolet rays (UV) are their strongest in this timeframe.