How to dry laundry indoors in winter in Canada

The best way to dry laundry indoors in winter is to wring out as much water as possible, spread the clothes out so air can reach every item, and keep that air moving, ideally with a dehumidifier running nearby. Done properly, a load can dry in a few hours without leaving a damp smell behind.

The question comes up every year as temperatures drop across Canada and clotheslines go quiet. Windows stay shut, heating runs for months, and a wet load hung in the wrong spot can add moisture to a home that is already prone to condensation. Wet fabric left sitting is also a common cause of mould and stale smells, which is why the first hours after the wash matter most.

The steps below draw on published advice from home and laundry experts. They are low-risk and need no tools, but they do involve heat sources, so the radiator step carries a safety warning worth reading.

1. Run an extra spin cycle. Tom’s Guide advises running a dedicated second spin at your machine’s maximum spin speed before unloading. Less water in the fabric means less moisture released into the room and a shorter drying time.

2. Hang the load right away. Wet laundry left in the drum may lead to mould growth, Homes & Gardens reported. Shake each item out firmly as you unload it, a step Tom’s Guide recommends to loosen the fibres and help water escape.

3. Give every item space. Cramming garments together on a rack slows evaporation. Tom’s Guide suggests spreading each item across two rungs rather than one, and hanging shirts and tops on coat hangers along the outer frame. Homes & Gardens advises leaving at least an inch between pieces and turning them every few hours. Ideal Home suggests putting smaller items at the bottom of an airer and larger ones on top, and keeping the rack away from walls so moisture is not trapped.

4. Pick the right room. Homes & Gardens advises drying clothes in low-traffic rooms, not in spaces where people spend a lot of time, to reduce the risk of mould and damp. Keep clothes off the floor and set up near a window or door where air can circulate.

5. Keep air moving. A closed, cold room traps humid air and can stop evaporation almost entirely, Tom’s Guide said. Crack a window open slightly (Ideal Home says just a crack will do) and, if you have one, point an oscillating fan on its lowest setting at the rack.

6. Add a dehumidifier if condensation builds up. Tom’s Guide recommends running a dehumidifier directly beneath or alongside the rack if condensation persists. Ideal Home notes that many dehumidifiers need about 30 centimetres of clearance behind the machine, so check the manual before placing it. See our guide to dehumidifiers sold in Canada if you are shopping for one.

7. Use heat sources carefully. Tom’s Guide says to set a rack roughly a foot away from a heating duct, not draped in front of it, which blocks heat and risks scorching fabric. Do not lay clothes or towels over a radiator. Ideal Home warns that covering a radiator reduces its performance and may be a fire hazard, and recommends using only a purpose-made radiator airer, within its stated weight limit.

8. Know how long to wait. Homes & Gardens quotes an expert who said indoor air-drying typically takes around two to four hours. Heavier items may take longer, so check that everything is fully dry before you put it away.

9. Use the dryer for the finish. If you have a tumble dryer, smaller loads dry faster, Homes & Gardens said. Ideal Home suggests choosing a model with moisture sensors to avoid over-drying. A clogged vent slows any dryer, so see our guide to cleaning a dryer vent safely.

If you notice windows fogging or water beading on the glass after laundry day, that is a sign the room has too much moisture. Our guide to reducing window condensation in winter explains what to do. If you see mould that keeps returning or covers a large area, consult a qualified professional rather than treating it yourself.

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Sources: Tom’s Guide; Homes & Gardens; Ideal Home.