February 27, 2026, 5:19 am | Read time: 4 minutes
For those who don’t own a dryer or choose to forgo one for environmental reasons, winter offers limited options for drying laundry. If hanging clothes in the garden or on the balcony isn’t regularly possible and there’s no separate drying room, the only option left is a room in your own apartment. Why the bathroom or kitchen shouldn’t be used for this purpose is explained by myHOMEBOOK in this article.
Moisture and Increased Risk of Mold
Each load of laundry releases up to five liters of water into the air. In already humid rooms like the bathroom or kitchen, the relative humidity quickly rises above 70 percent. It feels like a laundry room when breathing, and burdens the respiratory system over time. The body reacts with irritated mucous membranes or mild headaches.
The bedroom is also unsuitable for drying laundry because a lot of moisture accumulates overnight from sweating. Especially in winter, the moist air then condenses on cooler surfaces like exterior walls, windows, or joints.
With a relative humidity consistently above 60 percent, an ideal breeding ground for mold is created. Mold often forms in invisible places, such as behind cabinets or in silicone joints. Especially in rental apartments, disputes with the landlord are inevitable.
Respiratory Strain and Musty Odor
Mold spores or consistently high humidity particularly irritate sensitive noses and bronchi. Over time, such conditions can lead to allergic reactions and even asthma. High humidity is associated with poorer sleep, which is especially problematic in households with small children or elderly individuals.
In the bathroom or kitchen, where humidity is already higher, a load of laundry takes longer to dry. The damp fibers then serve as a breeding ground for bacteria, which emit a musty odor that spreads throughout the apartment. In the kitchen, grease or spice fumes can also cling to the textiles. It may then be necessary to wash the laundry again.
Regularly Ventilate the Basement Even in Winter
Simple Trick to Dry Laundry Faster in Winter
Higher Energy Costs
While higher heating temperatures can combat moisture, they also increase heating costs by up to 20 percent. The rise in humidity necessitates more frequent ventilation, causing heat to escape unused. In the long run, increased humidity in the bathroom or kitchen can damage the entire building structure.
And quite practically: In small bathrooms or kitchens, drying racks block passageways, which can lead to falls.
Dry Laundry Indoors Only in Exceptional Cases
Admittedly, a drying room or a clothesline on the balcony or garden is usually available somewhere. Hanging laundry outside is often an option even in winter. It just shouldn’t be too humid outside during the day. On a frosty sunny day, the laundry will still dry, though the process takes longer. In case of doubt, this is always a better alternative than the bathroom or kitchen.
In the exceptional case that there’s no alternative to drying indoors, it’s better to choose a well-heated room like the living room. The laundry should be well-spun beforehand to leave as little residual moisture in the textiles as possible. Very important: frequent ventilation. This improves the room climate and speeds up the drying process.
Buying a hygrometer is also helpful to monitor humidity levels. A humidity level between 40 and 60 percent in rooms is considered normal. Even those who don’t dry laundry indoors have a benchmark to prevent mold growth.
Nevertheless, drying indoors should be the exception. Considering the higher heating costs and the long-term effects on health and building structure, it’s better to consider purchasing a dryer.