August 10, 2026, 11:00 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The laundry is done, but instead of going on the drying rack, it stays in the drum for a while. This happens to many people in everyday life. But how long can wet laundry actually stay in the washing machine before odors or germs become a problem? An expert explains when action is needed.
How long can laundry stay in the machine after washing?
If you don’t get to hanging the laundry immediately after washing, the question quickly arises: How much time can actually pass before the damp clothes need to come out of the machine? Dr. Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW), recommends: “The sooner the laundry is hung up or put in the dryer, the better.” In his experience, a time span of 20 to 30 minutes after the program ends is still within the safe zone.
What happens if the laundry stays in the drum longer?
Forgetting the laundry risks more than just wrinkles. “The laundry should be hung up to dry or put in the dryer as soon as possible after the wash program ends,” Glassl explains. If it stays too long in the closed drum, the humidity inside increases–the ideal climate for bacteria.
Therefore, the expert advises not only emptying the drum after washing but also leaving the door or lid of the washing machine open for at least an hour. Additionally, the “detergent drawer” should be opened. Glassl explains: “This prevents the laundry from becoming heavily wrinkled and also stops bacteria from multiplying in the damp environment, which can lead to unpleasant odors.”
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Musty odor from biofilms
If wet laundry is forgotten in the washing machine, it can develop an unpleasant smell. Glassl points out that bacteria can grow in the machine’s damp environment and lead to foul odors. “Bacteria multiply in the washing machine and form slimy layers, known as biofilms,” he explains.
What to do if the laundry already smells?
If the typical fresh scent is missing and the clothes smell unpleasant, another wash cycle often helps. “You can also try to see if the unpleasant odor dissipates when drying in the fresh air. Sunlight also has an antibacterial effect,” says Glassl.
Whether this method is sufficient depends on the degree of odor development. According to the expert, the odors do not come directly from the bacteria themselves, but from their metabolic products.
With material from dpa