Yes, you can dry laundry on the radiator, but it is not ideal. The laundry dries quickly, but the moisture enters the room and can cause condensation and mould if you do not ventilate extra. Milieu Centraal recommends not hanging laundry in a heated room.
Can you dry laundry on the radiator?
You can, there is no ban. The question is whether it is wise. On a hot radiator, the water evaporates quickly from wet laundry, but the moisture does not disappear: it spreads through the room. You can tell by fogged-up windows and a musty smell. In winter, when you open the windows less, the humidity quickly increases. See also our article on the ideal humidity in the home in winter.
Milieu Centraal gives two clear tips on the page about the tumble dryer: do not hang laundry in a heated room, because you will need more energy for heating, and ensure extra fresh air when you let the laundry dry indoors. Would you rather dry the laundry outside? According to the KNMI forecast for October 31, it will be dry and sunny from Tuesday 3 through Friday 6 November. Those are good days to hang the laundry outside. According to Milieu Centraal, you can do that even when it is cold.
What are the disadvantages of drying laundry on the radiator?
The biggest disadvantage is the moisture. A washed load of a few kilos contains liters of water that enter the air during drying. If that is in a poorly ventilated room, the moisture will condense on the coldest places, such as windows and exterior walls. Mould can develop there. Read why you get condensation on your windows. Your energy bill can also increase, because the heating has to work harder when the wet laundry extracts heat. This is a logical consequence of evaporation and not a fixed figure. And a full radiator gives less heat to the room. For persistent mould, Milieu Centraal recommends calling in an expert if it occurs in multiple places or the cause is unknown.
And an important safety rule: never lay or hang laundry over an electric heater or over the openings of a heater or other heating appliance. They need space to dissipate heat. Use a drying rack at a distance.
What are the best ways to dry laundry indoors?
| Method | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| On the radiator | Dries quickly, no extra appliance | Lots of moisture in the room, heating has to work harder |
| Drying rack in a ventilated, unheated room | Low energy consumption, according to Milieu Centraal better than a heated room | Takes longer, space required |
| Outside on the line | Free and little moisture indoors | Dependent on the weather |
| Drying rack with dehumidifier in a closed room | Moisture is immediately removed from the air | Uses electricity, room must be closed |
You can find a comprehensive overview in how to dry laundry indoors without a tumble dryer and without mould and in how to dry laundry faster with a dehumidifier. Do your towels smell musty? Then read why towels smell musty and how to prevent it.
When does a dehumidifier help with drying laundry?
A dehumidifier removes the moisture from the air that the laundry releases. Milieu Centraal does indicate that dehumidifiers only work in a small, closed room without new moisture and that they consume a lot of electricity. So put the drying rack in a small room with the door closed, put the dehumidifier next to it and ventilate afterwards. That is a supplement and not a replacement for ventilating.
Dynter DH251 dehumidifier is a compact dehumidifier for rooms up to 55 m².
Dehumidification: up to 900 ml per day
Water tank: 3800 ml, with safety sensor when the tank is full
Consumption: 80 W
Timer: adjustable from 1 to 24 hours
Dimensions and weight: 24 x 13.4 x 37 cm, 2.51 kg
Direct answer: you can let laundry dry on the radiator, but the moisture remains in the room. Ventilate extra, preferably do not hang the laundry in a heated room and never lay laundry over an electric heater.
Do you want to get laundry dry indoors faster without moisture problems? Check out the Dynter dehumidifier DH251 or the dehumidifier collection. How long to run such a device, you can read in how long a dehumidifier needs to be on per day.
Frequently asked questions
Is drying laundry on the radiator bad for the walls?
The moisture can condense on cold walls and windows and cause mould if you do not ventilate. A single time is usually not a problem, but structural drying of laundry in a poorly ventilated room is.
Does drying laundry on the radiator cost extra electricity or gas?
The water in the laundry extracts heat during evaporation, which means the heating has to work harder. Milieu Centraal indicates that you need more energy in a heated room. The extent depends on your situation.
Where is the best place to dry laundry indoors?
According to Milieu Centraal in an unheated room with extra fresh air. Open a window slightly or use a vent, and dry in a room where you do not sleep.
Can I lay laundry on an electric heater?
No. Never lay or hang laundry over an electric heater or over its air openings. Keep your distance and use a drying rack.