Ways to Dry Clothes Indoors in Winter. What are Safe Drying Tips?

Yes, you can. 

On average, drying clothes indoors in winter can take:

• 14 to 45 minutes per kg of laundry Using a tumble dryer.
• 24 to 48 hours with Air drying on a rack or line.

At a typical indoor temperature of 70°F (21°C), drying clothes indoors in winter can take:

• T-shirts: 6-8 hours.
• Jeans: 8-16 hours.

When the indoor temperature is below freezing (minus degrees Celsius), drying clothes can be extremely slow and might take more than a day to dry completely. 

Pro Tip: Put your clothes outside early in the day to maximize exposure to sunlight and daylight, helping them to dry faster. 

Here’s a more Detailed Overview:

Why You Should Avoid Drying Clothes Indoors in Winter

Drying clothes inside during winter might seem convenient, but it can cause serious problems for your home.

When you hang wet clothes in rooms with poor ventilation, it leads to moisture build-up. This excess moisture can cause mold, fungus, and bacteria to grow. According to Homecure Plumbers, drying clothes indoors is a major reason for condensation and mold issues.

Drying clothes on radiators or other indoor spaces can add a lot of moisture to the air. Lee Devlin, Managing Director at Homecure Plumbers, explains that as wet clothes dry, they release moisture into the air. Without proper ventilation, this moisture can settle on cold surfaces, leading to mold and mildew. To prevent this, it’s best to dry clothes outside or use a dryer.

Living in an apartment without a dryer doesn’t mean sacrificing the freshness of well-dried clothes. Here’s a simple guide to help you dry your clothes efficiently without a dryer.

Tips for Drying Clothes Indoors

If drying clothes outside isn’t an option, there are steps you can take to minimize moisture indoors:

Preparing Clothes for Air Drying

• Follow the care labels on your clothes.
• Sort by Fabric and Color: Separate delicate fabrics like silk and lace from sturdier fabrics like denim and cotton to prevent damage and color bleeding.
• Heavier items like towels and jeans take longer to dry than lighter fabrics. This helps optimize the drying process.
• On multi-tiered racks, place heavier items like jeans and towels at the bottom.
• Avoid overcrowding clothes on the drying rack. Giving each garment enough space ensures efficient drying and reduces the risk of mildew.
• Shake each item before hanging to help them dry faster and reduce creases. Spread clothes out on the drying rack to allow better air circulation.
• Hang delicate items like shirts on coat hangers. This maximizes space and keeps clothes from creasing.
• Flip and reposition clothes during the drying process to ensure all parts dry evenly.
• Place wet clothes near ventilation spots.
• Open your bedroom windows every morning for at least 15 minutes.
• Use a dehumidifier or moisture catchers near windows to reduce humidity.
• Wipe down windows, frames, and sills with a paper towel or cloth in the morning to remove excess condensation.
• Instead of using a clothesline, use a drying rack that can be easily moved. This way, you can quickly bring your clothes inside if it starts to rain without the hassle of unpegging everything.

Pre-Dry Preparation

• Before hanging clothes outside, roll each item in a towel to soak up as much moisture as possible. This step helps reduce drying time significantly.

Or 

• Add a dry towel to your drying rack. The towel absorbs extra moisture, speeding up the drying process.

Statistics on Mould in Homes

Recent figures from GOV.UK shows that 463,866 homes in the UK have mold and condensation issues. Renters are four times more likely to report these problems than homeowners.

By following these tips, you can keep your home free from moisture-related issues during the winter months.

Small Space Laundry Zone Solution for Air Drying Linens – My Experience!

Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on laundry solutions. Here’s how you can design an efficient laundry zone, even in the tiniest of homes.

Choosing the Right Location

• Use Sheltered Spots: Choose a location with fresh air flow but sheltered from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Balcony or Patio: Use a retractable clothesline or drying rack for convenience.

Place Specific Location Includes:

• Apartment: Single washer/dryer unit in the kitchen.
• Cottage: Stacked washer/dryer in a shared bike shed.
• Beach Studio: Shared laundry room on the ground floor.

For a new cottage, I evaluated different locations and decided against outdoor or kitchen setups due to climate concerns and space congestion. The bathroom emerged as the best option.

Bathroom Laundry Setup – Space Utilization:

• Custom Nook: A narrow, ventless, stackable washer and dryer fit perfectly in a nook opposite the shower and sink, keeping electrical components safe from water splashes.
• Repurposed Vanity: I retained space for a beautiful rescued wood slab vanity and a custom hutch for storage.

Air Drying Solution

Frequent rain and high humidity necessitate indoor drying space. I opted to utilize the shower area, which is unused for most of the day.

Shower Area Transformation:

• No Glass or Pony Wall: Uninterrupted access with a shower curtain.
• Towel Hooks and Drying Line: Hooks above the inner edge of the curb line hold a removable drying line, doubling as shower curtain hooks.
• Collapsible Drying Rack: A vintage, collapsible drying rack stored under the vanity.
• Repurposed Shelf: A fold-down, repurposed baker’s bread cooling shelf for additional drying surface.

This setup ensures the room is used effectively throughout the day. It maximizes space and fits perfectly into our small home and family routines.

How to Deal With Clothes Shrinkage

• Follow Care Labels: Read and follow the washing instructions.
• Wash Clothes in Cold Water: Avoid hot water and high heat settings.
• Air Dry or Use Low Heat: Air dry clothes or use a low heat setting in the dryer.

Restore Shrunken Clothes

• Soak in Conditioner: Soak shrunken clothes in lukewarm water with hair conditioner for 10-15 minutes, then stretch them back to size.
• Use Fabric Stretching Spray: Alternatively, use a stretching spray or consult a professional tailor.

What Not to Air Dry

While air drying is great for many garments, there are some newer materials that don’t handle it well. Here are key items best left to the dryer:

1. Down Jackets, Pillows, and Comforters: 

These items need the tumbling action of a dryer to maintain their fluffy texture. Air drying can leave them flat and uneven.

2. Heavy Clothes like Sweatpants and Sweatshirts: 

These heavy items can lose their shape if hung without proper support. Unless you have a mesh drying rack, it’s better to use the dryer to avoid stretching.

3. Dark and Brightly Colored Clothes

Dark and brightly colored clothes can fade if exposed to direct sunlight. The dryer helps preserve their vibrant colors.

4. Delicates: 

Delicate fabrics can be damaged by the sun’s rays, which can warp and weaken the material. Using the dryer is a safer option.

How to Avoid Overloading the Dryer

Overloading your dryer might seem like a time-saver, but it actually leads to longer drying times and wrinkled clothes. Follow these tips to avoid overloading and ensure your clothes dry quickly and evenly:

1. Keep Loads Small

Ensure that the clothes can tumble freely in the dryer drum. Small loads dry more efficiently and come out less wrinkled.

2. Adjust Large Loads

Halfway through the drying cycle, pause the dryer to readjust large items like sheets and blankets. This helps them dry more quickly and evenly.

Benefits of Proper Loading

• Proper loading prevents clothes from coming out wrinkled, also reducing the need for ironing.
• Smaller, well-distributed loads dry faster, saving you time and energy.

So, Why Is It Difficult to Dry Clothes in Winter? – Final Answer

Cold and damp weather makes it challenging for clothes to dry outside. Indoors, lack of airflow can lead to musty odors. However, with proper techniques, you can achieve fresh, dry clothes.

Finding the right space and using the proper equipment is crucial for air-drying clothes in a small apartment. Using a dehumidifier and a suitable drying rack can turn any space into an efficient drying area.