Drying laundry in the apartment?
Practical tips for drying laundry
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We explain here whether, and if so, how you should dry laundry in your apartment. The best tips.
Tumble dryers consume a lot of electricity, so drying is important Laundry is much cheaper in the sun – but unfortunately we don’t have summer temperatures and sunshine every day. Many people then switch to the clothes horse in the apartment. But: is this even allowed or even harmful? What you should know.
Drying laundry in the apartment: Is it forbidden?
Some rental agreements prohibit drying laundry in the apartment. According to the German Tenants’ Association (DMB), however, such a clause is ineffective – even “if there is a communal dry cellar or storage in the house.” So: It is allowed to dry laundry in the apartment, the landlord cannot really prohibit it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you.
6 tips for proper drying
The wet laundry ensures higher humidity in the apartment – up to 30 percent more. The moisture gets into the walls and forms a perfect breeding ground for Mold. However, a few simple tricks can help reduce the risk.
Do you want to dry your laundry in the apartment because, for example, there is no drying room or the balcony or garden does not allow it because of rain? Then take these 6 tips to heart:
- Choose a room that is as warm as possible so that the laundry dries faster.
- Take care of one adequate ventilation: Ventilate the room several times – ideally four times, but at least twice – a day for around 10 minutes.
- It’s best to ventilate several rooms at the same time and open the windows wide. This is how you create optimal Draft.
- Turn the thermostat while airing down.
- With shock ventilation you exchange the air in the room, let it moisture escape and prevent the walls from cooling down. There is even more useful information here: Ventilate properly in winter.
- During the closed window phase, you should also close the door of the room where the wet laundry is hung. This will prevent the moisture from spreading to other rooms.
Drying clothes in winter
A tenant doesn’t always have to move the laundry to the apartment. A cold, dry day is even better for drying laundry. Because thanks to the principle of sublimation, wet things dry even outside in frost! You can find out what this is and how it works here: Drying laundry in frost.
The optimal room climate
The indoor climate is made up of the air humidity and the air temperature 20 degrees room temperature and 50 percent relative humidity optimal. However, if the air humidity is too high or the humidity in the room is too dry, they can cause health problems. If the air is too dry, skin and eyes can start to itch, headaches can occur and there is a higher risk of infection. Excessive humidity can have a massive impact on the respiratory tract due to mold formation.
Tips for the optimal indoor climate
- Too high humidity: In addition to proper ventilation, dehumidifiers can also help if the humidity is too high.
- Room air too dry: Plants are a natural and easy way to improve the air. These five plants contribute to a better indoor climate. Alternatively, a humidifier also helps.
There are more tips for sorting laundry and washing white laundry here.