How To Air Dry Clothes In Apartment

Apartment life isn’t always easy and sure isn’t cut and dry.

One major issue is that we don’t all have the luxury of balconies or even outdoor fire escapes where we can dry clothes.

Let’s look at how to dry clothes indoors and how to do it in style.

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Is it OK to dry clothes indoors?

As if apartment dwellers didn’t have enough to worry about, poor ventilation brings with it its own problems.

Drying clothes indoors during the winter can lead to mold, fungus, and bacteria growth. 

But, sometimes, we just don’t have a choice.

How to air dry clothes in an apartment?

You may want to air dry your clothes for a variety of reasons.

• no access to an electric clothes dryer
• to reduce energy use to save money and the planet
• if static cling annoys you
• You can’t access an outdoor clothesline.
• Air drying extends the life of most garments by reducing the wear and tear of an electric clothes dryer.

Wall-Mounted Folding Rack

Installing a wall-mounted folding rack allows you to unfold it and then fold it right back up. You aren’t losing any of your apartment space.

You can pretty well put it where you want – kitchen, bedroom, dining room, etc. And you can make a folding rack invisible if it matches its surroundings.

Your average wall-mounted folding rack will hold 8 to 10 pieces of clothing at a time, which sure isn’t bad.

How do people dry clothes in apartment?

You have to figure out what works for you and your space. Air drying is a common way to handle the issue of not having enough space. But, some people can’t air dry safely because of poor ventilation.

Drawer Dryers

If you want something even more unobtrusive, drawer dryers are a great go-to, especially for those living a single life.

You can use an empty drawer and install a dryer that basically puts itself up after you’re done with it.

New Fashionable Laundry Rods

Laundry rods in your apartment don’t have to be ugly or take up a lot of room.

• You have a couple of choices. You can go with traditional steel rods, or if you’re looking for rustic, wood laundry rods work just fine.
• You want to ensure that whatever material you go with is strong enough to hold the hangers and the laundry.
• For hangers, go with something that matches the theme or aesthetic of the room it’s installed. 
• When using a wooden laundry rod, you will need to paint it with polyurethane to coat it to keep it from rotting.

Pulley Rack

If you’re looking for something that’s easy to install, a ceiling-mounted pulley is a great option. It reels up and down using a simple drawstring.

For people with a washing machine, putting it above it makes the entire laundry process that much easier.

But, if you don’t, you can have one installed wherever your heart desires.

Retractable Accordion Rack

Retractable accordion racks and wall-mounted folding racks are a lot alike, except for the obvious.

You can put an accordion rack wherever your heart desires, and it appears and disappears into its surroundings.

An accordion rack typically holds 11 to 12 pieces of laundry.

Vertical Laundry Rack

As the most obtrusive option, a vertical laundry rack only works if you have vertical space, such as a pantry or closet.

Another reason it might not be a great option for you is that it can’t be done without a professional carpenter. For an apartment, that is both expensive and would require asking for permission from building management.

How long does it take to air dry clothes in apartment?

You aren’t going to find even close to an exact time. It can take 45 minutes, and it can take an entire 24-hour day.

You’ll need to take into account factors such as material and indoor and outdoor temperature when calculating how long it should take for your pants to air dry.

Alternatives to Air Drying

Poor ventilation makes air drying hazardous in some cases. But, you may find an alternative that meets your laundry drying needs without costing an arm and a leg.

Compact Laundry Dryer

You don’t have to have a full-sized drying monster to get the job done.

A compact dryer weighs about 40 pounds and takes up very little space.

Portable (or Tumble) Clothes Dryer

A portable clothes dryer is small, foldable, and easy to put together and take apart.

The portable compact laundry dryer is perfect for traveling and doing laundry in a small apartment. (you can buy portable washing machines, too).

Hair Dryer

It’s not ideal, but it’ll work in a pinch. 

• You aren’t going to be able to start drying clothes with the hair dryer until they’ve dried somewhat. It’s gonna do a lot to soaking wet laundry.
• Clean the lint and dust from your hair dryer, and make sure it’s free of water.
• Make room to dry your clothes manually; it isn’t going to be a fast process.
• The best action plan is to lay your clothes out flat, dry the front, flip and do the same to the back.
• The hairdryer method uses a ton of energy, and it may not be worth it in the long run.

How do you dry clothes without a dryer in an apartment?

• wall-mounted rack
• dryer drawers
• laundry rods
• pulley rack
• retractable accordion rack
• vertical laundry rack
• compact electric dryer
• portable electric dryer
• hair dryer

More Air Drying Tips

• When air drying indoors, hang or dry your clothes on a rod or lay them flat on the drying rack of your choice.
• Make sure there’s plenty of room between garments to give them enough circulation for a faster dry time.
• Dry your clothes near a fan or vent to quicken the process.
• You want to keep your stretchy clothes flat on a drying rack and turn them once so that everything dries evenly.
• To properly dry fleece, hang it from rods to dry properly.

FAQs about Drying Clothes

Does air drying make clothes smell?

Air drying can cause clothes to have an unpleasant odor if they are not dried quickly enough and become mildewed, or if they are exposed to smoke in the surrounding air. Similarly, clothes can develop a smell if they are left sitting in the washing machine for too long or if they have not fully dried in the dryer.

Is it sanitary to air dry clothes?

Air-drying clothes is sanitary and offers various benefits such as saving money, reducing wear-and-tear on clothing, alleviating concerns about damaging garments, promoting better health, and being environmentally friendly.

Will clothes air dry in humidity?

Clothes will not air dry effectively in humidity as it can impede the drying process and potentially lead to the growth of mildew.

What is the fastest way to air-dry clothes indoors?

The fastest way to air-dry clothes indoors is by putting them on an extra spin cycle, using a dehumidifier, utilizing a desktop fan, creating a heated cocoon with a radiator and a fitted sheet, towel-drying the clothes before hanging, and using hangers on an airer or clothes rail to improve airflow.

How do you keep clothes from smelling when air drying?

To prevent clothes from smelling when air drying, you can spritz a mixture of water and a few drops of your preferred essential oil onto your garments using a spray bottle when they are approximately halfway dry. This method helps to eliminate any damp odors that may occur when drying clothes indoors.

Is it OK to dry clothes in bathroom?

It is not recommended to dry clothes in the bathroom because it is already a damp space and adding more humidity to the air is undesirable. Additionally, clothes will take longer to dry in a bathroom that is already damp.

Where is the best place to dry clothes indoors?

The best place to dry clothes indoors is to avoid drying laundry in the rooms where you spend the most time, such as the living room and bedroom. It is recommended to place the drying rack in areas where you spend less time, such as the bathroom, kitchen, or hallway.

What can I do with dirty laundry in a small apartment?

You can make use of built-in bins in a small apartment to manage dirty laundry effectively. Installing a cabinet with pull-out bins is a smart solution for organizing your laundry instead of using multiple baskets.

How do you air-dry a small apartment?

To air-dry a small apartment, you can utilize a folding rack, retractable clothesline, wall mounted rack, or ceiling airer. Place it close to a window, fan, or air conditioner vent to enhance air circulation. It is important to avoid overcrowding and leave some additional space between bulky items to prevent them from touching and prolonging the drying process.

How long do clothes take to air dry inside?

The clothes take approximately 5 hours to air dry indoors under average conditions if they are easy items, and about 9 hours if they are difficult items.

What is the alternative to air drying?

The alternative to air drying is using the tumble dry setting, which offers convenience and speed by allowing you to dry clothes in a dryer instead of on a line or a rack.

How do you dry things in an apartment?

To dry clothes in a small apartment, if outdoor space is available, the most effective method is to hang them outside. If outdoor space is not accessible, alternatives include utilizing a compact dryer with minimal noise or employing a drying rack that can be mounted on a window.