Unless you have an outfit planned for an upcoming get together, allowing clothes to air dry inside can be an effective measure just like a dryer cycle. It can also be more gentle on your clothes to reduce wear and tear (and stretch your dollar).
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But while air drying clothes comes with several benefits, it also comes with a few risks, like possible mold from raised humidity levels. That's why, in this guide, we're giving you expert-approved tips for safe and effective air drying your laundry indoors.
Not every piece of clothing benefits from a toss in the dryer. There are several benefits to opting for airy drying inside such as energy savings from not running the dryer which also reduces your environmental footprint, reduced wear and tear on your clothing (no shrinking or set stains!), and improving the air quality outside by reducing microplastics that's released during the tumble process.
But while there are several benefits to air drying your clothes indoors, there are also several risks and concerns to note, including mold and mildew growth. "By far the biggest concern homeowners should have with air drying their clothes inside their home is moisture and humidity," says Barriger. "I've seen beloved wool coat jackets grow mildew on the sleeves and seams because they were not hung in a well ventilated place, or properly wrung out through out the day."
On top of an increase in moisture and humidity levels that leads to mold or mildew on clothes, air drying your clothes indoors can also be a space issue if you're dealing with smaller rooms.
Odds are to effectively dry your clothes indoors, you'll need extra gear like drying racks, which can absorb a lot of space when they're in use.
Taking precautions into consideration when air drying your clothes indoors is likely something you haven't done before. For the next time you need to hang some clothes to air dry, here are a few safety tips to follow to keep your clothes in excellent condition and to ensure your humidity levels don't rise to a crazy level.
Ventilation is key for air drying your clothes quickly and safely. Barriger says the place she recommends the most for maximum ventilation is somewhere near a window or fan with adequate space between each garment.
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Tools like dehumidifiers or fans can be helpful when air drying your clothes indoors since dehumidifiers work to maintain humidity levels in the room and the fan gets your clothes dry quicker.
There are several air drying tools on the market to choose from that make air drying your clothes inside more effective. For instance, you can use drying racks to arrange several items at once, or you can use an indoor line with clothes pins to hang items up. The key to choosing the right one is seeing which item gives you to most space for clothes while also taking space in your home into consideration.
Whether you're using a drying rack or line, make sure you don't overcrowd the area by keeping enough space between each item. This allows for better air circulation for faster drying to prevent mold and mildew from growing.
If you haven't noticed, air drying clothes indoors requires more thought than a toss in the dryer. Once you've made sure the area is safe and preventing mold growth as best as possible, here are a few extra tips to make your air drying more effective.
Whether you're using a clothes drying rack or line, there are a few techniques to keep in mind when hanging your clothes to dry, and it's also an important tip for Barriger, too. "Silks and linen, thin materials like bedsheets and pillowcases will dry nice and quick. They can even lay flat on the floor and dry wrinkle free. Polyesters and wools should be given wide room and ventilation, as they take longer to dry and are more likely to hold bacteria," she says.
If you're in a small apartment or home, a drying rack might not be the best option since they take up a lot of space when folded completely out. Make sure you choose the right equipment that can fit into your home while also providing your home with the right amount of space to dry.
Sometimes it works to combine air drying with a smaller dryer appliance time. If you notice a few of your garments are taking a while to completely dry, tossing them in the dryer for ten to fifteen minutes can complete the drying phase without the mold growth.
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