May 1, 2025, 12:33 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
The washing machine has long finished its cycle, but the laundry is still damp in the drum? That can happen. But how long is it safe before musty odors and bacteria become a concern? An expert explains when you should remove and hang up the laundry at the latest.
Damp laundry should be removed from the machine as quickly as possible. An expert provides a time frame that is still acceptable and explains what can happen in the worst-case scenario if wet laundry is left in the washing machine for too long.
How Long Can Laundry Stay in the Machine After Washing?
If you can’t hang up the laundry immediately after washing, the question quickly arises: How much time can actually pass before the damp clothes have to be removed from the machine? Dr. Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW), head of the household care department, recommends: “The sooner the laundry is hung up or put in the dryer, the better.” In his experience, a time frame of 20 to 30 minutes after the program ends is still within the safe zone.
What Happens if Laundry Stays in the Drum Longer?
Forgetting the laundry risks more than just wrinkles. “The laundry should be hung up or put in the dryer as soon as possible after the wash cycle ends,” Glassl explains. If it stays too long in the closed drum, the humidity inside increases, creating an ideal environment 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.”
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, leading to foul odors. “Bacteria multiply in the washing machine and form slimy layers, known as biofilms,” he explains.
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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 has an additional 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