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An Ideal Home report outlines six ways to reduce moisture buildup while drying laundry indoors: remove more water in the washer, space garments out, consider a heated airer and dehumidifier, place the rack for airflow, and ventilate the room. These are practical recommendations, not a guarantee against damp or mould; results depend on the home, weather and drying setup.
Ideal Home has published a six-point guide to drying laundry indoors while limiting moisture buildup, advising households to remove more water in the wash, leave space between clothes, manage humidity and ventilate the room. The advice matters during cold or wet weather, when outdoor drying may not be practical and damp laundry can add moisture to indoor air.
The report recommends running an extra spin cycle before hanging clothes, provided the selected spin speed suits the garments. It says items that retain more water, such as towels, jeans and bedding, may benefit from the additional spin. Clothes should then be spread out on the rack rather than crowded together; sleeves should be opened, and overlapping trouser legs avoided. Turning heavier items partway through drying can help prevent damp areas.
For households that dry laundry inside regularly, the article suggests considering a heated clothes airer, optionally fitted with a cover. Lakeland buying lead Catrin Parry describes the device as a practical option when outdoor drying is not possible. The report says a cover can reduce drying time by a couple of hours, depending on the load and conditions; that estimate is not presented as a guaranteed result for every household.
The other recommendations focus on managing moisture and airflow: pair the airer with a dehumidifier, position the rack away from walls, and ventilate the room. Parry says a dehumidifier can remove excess moisture from the air, while Brabantia laundry expert Lauren Roelofs says space between garments helps air circulate and clothes dry more evenly.
Reducing Moisture From Indoor Laundry
Wet clothing releases water into the air as it dries. In a room with limited ventilation or moisture removal, that added humidity can contribute to condensation, particularly on colder surfaces. The guide’s practical value is that it addresses both sides of the problem: making clothes dry more efficiently and helping manage moisture in the room.
The advice is relevant to renters and homeowners who lack a tumble dryer, do not want to run one, or cannot dry clothes outdoors. It does not establish that following the six steps will prevent mould in every home. Existing damp, poor insulation, leaks or inadequate ventilation may need separate attention, and a dehumidifier or heated rack may add purchase and running costs.
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Why Indoor Drying Adds Humidity
The report frames its advice around colder, wetter days, when outdoor drying becomes less reliable. Its author describes using clothes airers and says dehumidifiers and heated airers can help, while also recommending habits that do not require buying equipment. The article includes product examples and capacity details, but those are shopping information rather than independent evidence that a particular model will prevent damp.
Its six recommendations are: use a suitable extra spin; leave gaps between garments; consider a heated airer and cover; use a dehumidifier alongside the rack; place the rack where air can circulate; and ventilate the room. Roelofs and Parry are quoted in the source for advice on spacing, airflow and moisture removal.
“One of the simplest ways to speed things up is to avoid overcrowding your drying rack. Leaving space between garments allows air to circulate, helping clothes dry more evenly.”
— Lauren Roelofs, laundry expert at Brabantia
What the Advice Cannot Guarantee
The source does not provide test results comparing the six methods or quantify how much each one lowers indoor humidity, prevents condensation or reduces mould risk. Drying time and moisture levels can vary with the size and material of the load, room temperature, ventilation, the airer and dehumidifier used, and conditions in the home.
The report’s estimate that a cover may save a couple of hours is explicitly dependent on the load and conditions. It also does not specify a universal window-opening schedule or how long to ventilate. The advice should not be read as a diagnosis or fix for persistent damp, mould, water leaks or broader ventilation problems.
Practical Steps for the Next Load
Households can start with the no-cost measures: use a suitable spin setting, spread clothes across the rack and keep it where air can move around it. Ventilate the room where feasible, taking account of outdoor weather and the home’s usual ventilation arrangements. If indoor drying is frequent, a heated airer or dehumidifier may be worth considering, with running costs and space in mind.
Monitor whether condensation or damp persists rather than assuming one change will solve it. The source announces no follow-up study or official policy change; it is a household-advice report, and the effects of these steps will depend on individual conditions.
Key Questions
What are the six recommended habits?
Use a suitable extra spin, leave space between clothes, consider a heated airer, pair the rack with a dehumidifier, position it for airflow and ventilate the room.
Does a heated airer remove moisture from the room?
Not by itself, according to the report. It helps dry laundry, while a dehumidifier is recommended to remove excess moisture from indoor air.
Where should an indoor clothes airer go?
The report recommends leaving it slightly away from walls so air can circulate. Avoid overcrowding the rack, too.
Will these steps prevent mould?
The report offers ways to limit moisture buildup, but does not show that they prevent mould in every home. Persistent damp or mould may have causes that these laundry habits do not address.
Source: idealhome.co.uk
