Why drying wet clothes inside your home is a health hazard
Drying wet clothes inside might seem easy, but the extra moisture can increase indoor humidity, trigger mould growth and heighten asthma or allergy symptoms, especially in winter and monsoon months.
When it’s cold or rainy and sunlight is scarce, many people hang wet clothes inside bedrooms or living rooms. It seems harmless, but drying wet clothes indoors raises indoor humidity and can make the air heavy and damp. That higher moisture doesn’t just affect walls and furniture, it also encourages mould growth and can trigger breathing issues like asthma or allergies. Research has shown that dry clothes inside homes can contribute a large portion of indoor humidity and worsen air quality. Knowing the risks of drying wet clothes indoors helps you protect your home and health.
WHY DRYING CLOTHES INSIDE CAN HURT YOUR HOME
Hanging wet laundry inside increases moisture in the air. Without good ventilation, this moisture stays put and settles on walls, ceilings and furniture. Over time, damp surfaces become breeding grounds for mould and mildew. Mould not only damages paint and plaster but also eats away at building materials. Many households don’t realise how much water their clothes release, a load of wet laundry can add almost two litres of water into indoor air as it dries.
MOULD HEALTH EFFECTS AND BREATHING TROUBLES
The indoor humidity problems from drying wet clothes are more than just a cleaning headache. Mould spores in the air can irritate eyes, noses and throats. For people with asthma, chronic breathing conditions or allergies, exposure to mould can worsen symptoms. Fungal particles can inflame airways and make asthma attacks more likely. Even in otherwise healthy people, long exposure to damp air and mould can cause coughing and discomfort.
OTHERS FACTORS MADE WORSE BY INDOOR DRYING
Aside from mould and poor air quality, wet clothes inside can also:
Encourage dust mites to thrive, which can worsen allergic reactions.
Damage wooden furniture and flooring over time.
Make rooms feel colder and clammy, especially in winter.
These risk factors of drying wet clothes indoors are common in homes without good airflow or dehumidification.
HOW TO REDUCE RISKS WHEN YOU CAN’T DRY OUTSIDE
If you must dry clothes inside:
- Open windows and use exhaust fans to improve air flow.
- Place a dehumidifier or air purifier in the room.
- Avoid hanging laundry in bedrooms where you sleep.
- Keep doors open to let moisture escape.
Better ventilation and moisture control help reduce mould growth and keep indoor air safer.