# Drying laundry indoors with less condensation Canonical page: https://everydaygarmentcare.co.uk/drying/dry-laundry-indoors-with-less-condensation/ Publisher: Everyday Garment Care Indoor drying / Practical guide Plan the drying room, manage moisture from a wet load and use ventilation and humidity readings to spot what needs attention. By Everyday Garment Care · Updated November 2026 ![Spaced laundry on an open clothes airer beside a window in a utility room]() ## Make a plan for the moisture Use outdoor drying when possible. Indoors, give the washing space on a stable rack and use the ventilation your home provides. Check whether condensation repeatedly appears during or after a wash. If you use a dehumidifier, set it up as directed and keep required ventilation working. ## Look at the room as well as the clothes As washing dries, water leaves the fabric and enters the air. When moist air cools against a window, wall or other cold surface, some of its water can turn into droplets. That is why the window may mist up while the washing feels warmer and drier. The rack holds the clothes in place. The room needs a way for the released moisture to leave. If you can dry outside, you avoid putting that water into the room. When indoor drying is needed, pick a space with a way to ventilate, a stable position for the airer and a clear route around it. A cold, enclosed corner is a poor choice if you already see moisture gathering there. Use the room's actual layout and ventilation to decide where the load can go. ## Start with a load the room can handle Check the clothing labels and the washing-machine instructions for the permitted spin. The water that remains after spinning adds to what the room has to deal with. Some clothes require a gentler programme, so give them extra space on the rack or dry fewer pieces together. Use enough rails to keep the load open. Leave gaps between garments and keep wet fabric clear of walls, windows and electrical equipment. When a sheet covers the rest of the rack, give it a separate session. Drying a smaller load can make the rack easier to reach and lets you see where clothes are touching. See the [bedding]() and [towel drying guides]() for loading those bulkier pieces. If you can choose when to do the wash, avoid filling several airers while other moisture-producing jobs are already making the room steamy. Give the load time in a suitable position and take off dry pieces as you go. Check thick seams before putting the washing away. ## Use the ventilation your home was designed to have Keep trickle vents open and unobstructed where they are fitted. Use any extractor or whole-home ventilation system as instructed, and keep filters and fans maintained. Where it is safe and appropriate, opening a window can add ventilation. A window that opens only a little and a working extraction system are different arrangements, so use the guidance for your home. If the drying room can ventilate to the outside, containing the moisture there can be useful. Check whether its ventilation relies on airflow between rooms before closing a door or changing settings. Follow any housing or ventilation-system instructions and keep the required air routes open. ## Compare humidity readings in the same spot A humidity reading can help you see whether the room changes during a wash. Take a reading before loading the rack, another while the washing is drying and a later one after the room has had time to recover. Keep the sensor in the same position and note temperature as well. Relative humidity changes with temperature, so compare similar conditions where possible. The TempPro TP50 Classic shows temperature and relative humidity together. Its display is useful if you want to compare readings by hand across a few sessions. Put it somewhere dry where it measures room air, clear of direct sun, wet fabric and the immediate stream from a vent. [View on Amazon]() For tracking room conditions during a wash ### TempPro TP50 Indoor Thermometer and Hygrometer TP50 Shows room temperature and relative humidity on the same screen, with high and low readings. Use it to compare several readings taken from the same position. Good for A dry position in a room where you want to observe changes before, during and after a drying session. Bear in mind The sensor reads the air where it sits. Conditions beside a cold window or wall can differ. Use readings with observations of the room when investigating persistent moisture. - Temperature and humidity - High and low readings - Tabletop stand Use patterns alongside what you see on the windows and walls. A reading in the middle of the room may differ from conditions beside a cold surface. Record when the droplets appear and when they clear. A room reading is an observation you can share with a housing provider or repair professional if the problem keeps returning. ## Consider moisture collection if you still need it A portable dehumidifier can collect moisture while a separate rack supports the clothes. Give the appliance the clearance its instructions specify and keep it away from drips. Check the operating temperature, tank access and drainage arrangement before choosing where to use it. The MeacoDry Arete One 12L has a 2.5 L tank and a laundry mode. Meaco reports 5.23 L per day at 20°C and 60% relative humidity. That is a documented test condition. Actual water collection depends on your room and the time and mode used. [View on Amazon]() For collecting airborne moisture ### MeacoDry Arete One 12L Dehumidifier Arete One 12L This compressor model has a 2.5 L tank and a laundry mode. Meaco lists 5.23 L per day extraction and 151 W draw at 20°C and 60% relative humidity. Good for An unheated rack and a suitable indoor room where collecting airborne moisture is a priority. Bear in mind The 12 L class refers to extraction in warmer, more humid test conditions. It needs a separate rack, suitable placement and regular tank or drainage checks. - 2.5 L tank - Laundry mode - 151 W at 20°C / 60% RH Keep required home ventilation working while you use it. The water in the tank can come from room air as well as from the wash. For the distinction between collecting moisture and warming fabric, see [heated airer vs dehumidifier](). ## Compare one change at a time Start with one typical load and note what you did, such as moving the airer away from an outside wall or leaving an appropriate air path clear. At the next similar wash, see whether the windows still mist up and how long droplets remain. Compare similar rooms and weather where you can. One dry window does not tell you what is happening in a colder corner behind furniture. If the room is still damp after the washing is dry and put away, take another reading and check what else was happening that day. Note showers, cooking or a visibly faulty vent if relevant. These observations make it easier to tell which changes help and where to ask for a closer look. ## Report recurring damp or mould Write down which surfaces are affected, whether damp appears without a load on the rack and whether you notice leaks or faults with a vent or fan. If you rent, report recurring damp or mould to the landlord or housing provider. The cause can include water entering the building, cold surfaces or a ventilation problem. Changing how you dry one wash may be useful information when the cause is investigated. ## Sources and guidance - [GOV.UK existing home ventilation guide]() - [GOV.UK guidance on investigating damp and mould]() - [Ashfield District Council explanation of condensation]() - [TempPro TP50 specifications]() - [Meaco Arete One 12L extraction and instructions]() For an everyday shirt load, [dry shirts with fewer creases]() explains how to shape damp shirts and space them on hangers. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does a heated airer stop condensation? A heated airer adds warmth to the washing. The moisture still enters the air, so use a suitable room and keep the necessary ventilation working. ### Should I open a window while drying laundry indoors? Use the ventilation appropriate to your home and open a window if it is safe and suitable. Leave trickle vents clear and follow the operating instructions for any mechanical system. ### Can I close the door of the drying room? Follow the home ventilation guidance. A suitable room that can vent to the outside may allow you to contain moist air, while some systems need air to pass between rooms. Keep required air paths clear. ### Where should I put a humidity monitor? Use a dry position away from direct sun, heat, drips and the immediate path of a draught. Compare readings in the same position before, during and after a similar laundry session. ### Does a dehumidifier replace ventilation? It collects airborne moisture. Keep the ventilation your home needs for fresh air and other indoor pollutants, and follow the appliance’s positioning instructions. ### What if damp patches appear when I have no washing out? Keep a note of when and where the damp appears and arrange for the cause to be investigated. If you rent, report recurring damp or mould to your landlord or housing provider. **Everyday Garment Care** We research manufacturer instructions and product specifications to explain practical garment care and equipment choices. [Editorial policy]() **Affiliate disclosure.** If you buy through a product link on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. [How our links work]().