November 14, 2023, 11:01 am | Read time: 4 minutes

Even after the spin cycle, about two liters of water remain in freshly washed laundry from the washing machine. If you want—or need—to dry your laundry indoors, keep in mind that the moisture can seep into the walls. Damp walls are an ideal breeding ground for mold spores.

Is drying laundry indoors even allowed for tenants?

In principle, you are allowed to dry your laundry indoors, even if a drying room is available, according to the German Tenants’ Association (DMB). Even if a clause in the lease states otherwise, it is invalid. The house rules also do not matter. “A prohibition in the house rules against hanging laundry outside a drying room is invalid, according to a decision by the Düsseldorf Regional Court (21 T 38/08).”

However, you should distinguish between “small” and “large” laundry, advises the DMB. Small laundry refers to clothing items, while large laundry includes bed linens and other larger textiles. Small laundry can be dried indoors without issue, but you should ensure proper ventilation to prevent mold, according to the German Tenants’ Association. “For large laundry, if available, use the designated communal spaces, such as attics or drying cellars.”

What is the best location?

Choosing the right location can be crucial when drying laundry indoors. The best option is a warm room that can be well-ventilated. Once the drying rack is set up, you should regularly air out the room. This means opening the windows wide for about ten minutes in the morning and evening. The room door should remain closed to prevent moisture from spreading throughout the home.

Also interesting: Does laundry dry outside in winter?

How do you hang laundry to dry properly?

To dry laundry indoors, you need not only the right location but also the correct way to hang it. Specifically, this means:

1. Shake out the fresh laundry vigorously to remove excess moisture.
2. Do not hang laundry items too close together. Leave about a centimeter of space between them.
3. Place shirts and blouses on hangers and attach them to the rack.
4. Position the rack near a window to allow good air circulation and quicker moisture removal.

Can you speed up the drying process?

With the right tips, you can speed up the drying process. This not only reduces the risk of mold but also frees up space in your home more quickly.

• If the materials allow, an additional spin cycle can help.
• Use fans to ensure good air circulation.
• Hang individual items on hangers near radiators.
• If you need to dry items quickly, you can blow-dry or iron them. However, this is only advisable in emergencies and not for an entire load of laundry.

Also interesting: 6 simple tips for drying laundry without creases

More on the topic

Bad Odor Musty-Smelling Bed Linen in the Wardrobe? What You Can Do

Without a Dryer How to Dry Laundry Indoors More Quickly

Why does wet laundry smell if left too long?

This is often due to bacteria that thrive in wet laundry. They produce substances that cause a musty smell. The longer the wet laundry sits, the more they multiply, and the stronger the odor becomes. Bacteria also multiply more if you use too little detergent or only short wash cycles. Both are too weak to combat the bacteria.

It gets even worse if wet laundry is left too long in a closed washing machine. Often, not only does the clothing start to smell, but the machine itself can too, as microorganisms and even mold spores can spread. By the way, if laundry is left in the machine for just one or two hours, neither should start to smell.

Related: How to effectively prevent and combat mold in your home

Can you dry laundry outside in winter?

Yes, you can hang laundry outside even in low temperatures during fall and winter. A physical effect even helps the moisture evaporate faster. You can read more about this in this article.