Doesn't always work - dry laundry outside in winter 

Created: 01/13/2023, 2:30 p.m

By: Anna Heyers

Drying laundry outside in winter?

This is quite possible and an option to prevent mold in the apartment.

But it only works under certain conditions.

Drying laundry outside on a line or rotary dryer has many advantages.

On the one hand you save the electricity for the dryer, on the other hand the fresh air method is suitable for all fabrics.

The dryer variant does not.

The laundry will dry even in the depths of winter – if the external influences are right.

Drying laundry outside works when it's freezing

In order for the laundry to dry properly outside in winter, certain conditions must be met.

For example, temperatures should be below zero.

The air is then very dry and sublimation takes place.

Basically, this simply means that the damp laundry freezes.

The ice then transitions seamlessly into the gaseous state - without taking the detour via water - and the laundry is dry.

As long as the temperatures are below zero, the laundry will dry outside even in winter.

Unfortunately, the situation is different in snow or fog due to the higher humidity.

(Iconic photo) © Pixavril/Imago

Not a good couple: laundry and humidity

Drying laundry in the garden or on the balcony is no problem in frosty weather.

It becomes more difficult when there is high humidity outside.

This is the case, for example, when wafts of fog are wafting through the streets, it is drizzling, raining or snowing.

If possible, the drying rack should be set up in the bathroom, basement or attic.

Important here: Always ventilate regularly, otherwise mold can quickly form in the apartment.

You can find everything to do with household and garden tips in the regular living newsletter from our partner Merkur.de.

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Dry laundry in winter – tips

So that the laundry really dries reliably in winter, there are three helpful tips that you can observe when washing and hanging up:

• Spin speed:

  So that the laundry comes out of the machine as dry as possible, select the highest spin speed.

  Attention: Of course, this does not apply to delicate textiles.

• Distance:

  Laundry dries best and fastest if you hang the individual items of clothing with a little air and distance from each other.

  This applies to every season and every place.

• Time

  : Laundry should not be removed until it is completely dry.

  Especially in winter and frozen, the individual parts are very sensitive.

  If you take them off the line too early, the fibers could break or the laundry will remain wet.

Advantage of laundry dried outside: It smells wonderfully fresh - and the moisture that escapes during drying stays outside your own four walls.