You can dry laundry indoors without mold by removing moisture directly: hang the laundry loosely with space in between, ventilate briefly and vigorously, and keep the humidity low, for example with a dehumidifier in the room where the laundry is hanging. If your laundry does not dry well indoors, the moisture stays in the air and can settle on cold walls and windows.
Why does drying laundry indoors create so much moisture?
A full washing machine of wet laundry can easily contain several liters of water. That water evaporates during drying and ends up in the air in your home. Because you open fewer windows in autumn and winter, that moisture has nowhere to go. The relative humidity rises, and cold spots, such as exterior walls, corners, and windows, become a breeding ground for condensation and eventually mold.
How to dry laundry indoors with less moisture
Start with the basics: wring or spin-dry the laundry as thoroughly as possible, preferably at a higher speed. Afterward, hang clothes loosely on a drying rack, with space between items, so that air can pass through. Choose a room where you can close the door so the moisture does not spread throughout the house, and ventilate that room briefly but vigorously. Never dry your laundry on the heater: it feels fast, but it puts a lot of moisture into the air and can soil your radiator.
Where is the best place to dry laundry?
A room with mechanical ventilation or a window that you can leave ajar works best. A bedroom is less suitable, because you breathe and release moisture there all night. You can read more about the effect of a dehumidifier on laundry in Can you dry laundry with a dehumidifier?.
| Method | Moisture risk | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Drying rack in living room | High | Ventilate and use a dehumidifier |
| Drying rack in closed room | Medium | Door closed, window ajar |
| On the heater | High | Preferably avoid |
| With dehumidifier | Lower | Place the device near the laundry |
How does a dehumidifier help?
A dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air and collects it in a water tank. This lowers the humidity and allows the laundry to dry more easily. You can read about a healthy level in What is healthy indoor humidity?. Place the device in the same room as the laundry, as explained in where to place a dehumidifier.
Direct answer: dry laundry indoors in a room with the door closed, hang items loosely on a rack, ventilate briefly and vigorously, and place a dehumidifier in the same room. This keeps the humidity low and gives mold less of a chance.
Spotlight: the AirPure DH251 dehumidifier
The Dynter DH251 is a compact dehumidifier for living spaces.
Dehumidification: up to 900 ml per day
Water tank: 3800 ml, with a safety sensor that switches off when the tank is full
Suitable for: rooms up to 55 m²
Energy consumption: 80 W
Extras: timer function from 1 to 24 hours, night mode where the display turns off, ambient light
Weight: 2.5 kg, so easy to move
Recognizing and preventing mold
If you see black spots in corners or behind cabinets, there has likely been too much moisture for too long. A dehumidifier is a tool, not a solution for a leak or constant moisture problems. You can read how it works in Does a dehumidifier help against mold?. Suffering from ailments due to moisture or mold? Talk to your doctor, and read general information about indoor air at longfonds.nl. A device never replaces medical advice.
View the Dynter DH251 dehumidifier or the complete collection of dehumidifiers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for laundry to dry indoors?
That depends on temperature, humidity, how much laundry is hanging, and ventilation. Thin textiles dry faster than thick towels or jeans.
Can I dry laundry in the bedroom?
Preferably not. You release moisture yourself at night, which causes the humidity to rise faster.
Should I ventilate while the laundry is drying?
Yes, briefly and vigorously. Open windows wide for a few minutes instead of leaving them ajar all day, especially in cold weather.
Can I use a dehumidifier and a drying rack together?
Yes. Place the device in the same closed room as the rack so that the moisture is collected from the air.
When is the humidity too high?
Structurally above about 60 percent increases the chance of condensation and mold. A hygrometer will give you certainty.