Drying laundry indoors in winter without damp or mould
Clothes that never quite dry, musty towels and condensation on the windows: how to dry laundry indoors on the Costa del Sol without feeding damp and mould.
· 2 min read
Why winter laundry is a problem here
In summer the terrace does the job in an hour or two. From November, shorter days, cooler air and humidity from the sea mean washing can stay damp on the line all day, and many homes simply move the airer indoors.
A full load of wet laundry releases a lot of water into the air of a room. In a closed bedroom or living room that moisture ends up as condensation on windows and cold walls, which is exactly where mould starts.
Choose the room and the moment
Dry laundry in one room, door closed, rather than spreading moisture through the whole house. A room with a window you can open for a few minutes, or an extractor fan, is ideal. Avoid bedrooms, where you spend the night breathing in a damp room.
If you have a sunny spell, use it: even a few hours on the terrace or a sheltered balcony before bringing washing in cuts the indoor drying time a lot. Spin the machine at the highest speed the fabric allows, so less water has to evaporate.
Air, space and a dehumidifier
Leave space between items on the airer. Packed clothes dry slowly and sour. Hang towels and sheets lengthways over a clothes horse rather than folded over a radiator, and turn items inside out so thick seams dry properly.
A dehumidifier in the drying room is the most effective help, and many people find a level of roughly 40 to 60 percent humidity comfortable. Empty the tank regularly and clean the filter as the manufacturer says. Open the window briefly afterwards to let the humid air out.
If it already smells musty
A musty smell means the fabric stayed damp too long. Rewash, and do not leave wet washing sitting in the machine. Leave the drum door and detergent drawer open between washes so the machine itself can dry out, and run an occasional hot wash to keep it fresh.
Check the window frames, curtains and the wall behind wardrobes in the drying room for black spots. Wipe condensation off glass in the morning, and treat small patches of mould promptly rather than waiting.
How Lavanda can help
If damp is becoming a regular problem, our team can include windows, frames, bathrooms and wardrobe areas in a regular clean and let you know when we notice mould starting. For serious or recurring damp, a professional assessment of the building is the right next step.
