Drying laundry in autumn: How to avoid mold and smell!

Drying laundry in autumn: How to avoid mold and smell!

When the leaves fall and the temperatures drop, the question arises for many households: How do I dry my laundry properly without risking mold? One wash cycle can release up to two liters of moisture into the room air, and that's enough to promote mold growth within a few weeks. The consumer advice center warns: Things become critical when the humidity exceeds 60 percent. Mold can grow directly in front of a wall at a relative humidity of 70 to 80 percent, even without visible moisture. Particular caution is required, especially in the cold season, when the air can absorb less moisture.

Bedrooms, bathrooms, unused rooms and windowless rooms are particularly unsuitable for drying laundry. When we sleep, we release moisture when we breathe and sweat, while in the bathroom there is already a lot of moisture from showering and bathing. To ensure that the laundry dries well, we should choose a large, heated room with windows. Tips for drying laundry safely include choosing the highest spin speed in the washing machine (ideally 1,400 revolutions) and hanging the laundry up in an airy place. Ventilating at least three times a day for 5 to 10 minutes can also help to replace the moist room air, as [merkur.de](https://www.merkur.de/leben/wohnen/wohnen-tipp-waesche-im-herbst-RECHT- Trocken-vermeiden-sie-schimmel-geruch-93974949.html) reports.

Create optimal conditions

When drying laundry in your home, it is important to use strategies to prevent mold growth and excessive humidity. Choose a warm room with around 20°C and place the drying rack facing the open window while avoiding direct sunlight to prevent material damage. Frequent ventilation, ideally with cross ventilation, ensures effective air exchange. Use windows in opposite rooms and ventilate during the heating period by turning down the heating while ventilating to save energy (see [umweltcheck.ch](https://umweltcheck.ch/Wissen/Wissenswertes-ueber-Schimmel/Schimmel-vermeiden-beim-Waesche Trocken-in-der-Wohnung-Tipps-Massnahme/)).

Additional measures such as dehumidifiers or fans can shorten drying time and control humidity. A recommended technique is the “towel trick,” where delicate items of clothing are rolled up in a dry towel and gently squeezed to remove excess moisture. If there are signs of mold, self-testing or professional analysis should also be considered to avoid potential health risks.

Proper ventilation

Of course, proper ventilation is also crucial to prevent mold from forming. Bedrooms should be ventilated intensively before going to bed and in the morning, while doors to cooler rooms should remain closed. In kitchens and bathrooms, where moisture quickly occurs, intensive window ventilation after cooking or showering is essential. It is advisable to carefully wipe water from walls and floors to reduce moisture and thus minimize the risk of mold, as umweltbundesamt.de makes clear.

Moisture can also accumulate in basements; Therefore, these rooms should be optimally ventilated, especially in the cooler morning hours. During the summer, it is advisable to keep windows closed to keep out humid outside air. Constantly tilted windows increase energy consumption and promote the formation of mold. If you ventilate regularly, you ensure a pleasant room climate and minimize the risk of mold establishing itself.

In summary, drying laundry in the apartment is definitely allowed as long as you pay attention to the right methods and measures. If there is persistently high humidity or visible mold, inform your landlord so that we can find a solution together. With a little planning and attention, you can easily dry your laundry without any unpleasant surprises!