Iron-cold wind, sub-zero temperatures: frosty days and nights are not uncommon in winter. But how should you go about drying your laundry? If the temperature is below zero, can it be left outside at night or will it dry faster indoors? We take a closer look at the questions and explain where and how you can dry your laundry in frosty conditions.
Drying laundry outside in frost: an overview of the most important questions
I still remember being responsible for the laundry as a child (around 12-13 years old). We had a clothesline outside and always took out the laundry. Even in winter. Back then, I never thought about how long it would take until the laundry was completely dry. But now, as an adult with my own little family, the question arises again. Ultimately, we don't want to increase the humidity at home and also save energy.
Can you leave frozen laundry outside in sub-zero temperatures?
Surprisingly, the wet canLaundry even in frosty conditionsdry outside. The process is called sublimation. If you hang your clothes outside when the temperature is below zero, they will immediately freeze and feel hard. But then the water turns directly into steam and the clothes dry out. However, this is only possible when the humidity is low, around 40%. A light wind can also speed up the process.
Why does laundry dry faster outside than inside when the humidity is low?
So if the weather report says that the sun will shine in the next few days and at the same time the temperatures will be below 0° Celsius all day, then you can hang the laundry outside. It will just take a little longer to dry completely and it will be cold. But with humidity up to a maximum of 40%, it will be cupboard dry in a few days. Much faster than hanging them indoors.
Because in winter the rooms are ventilated significantly less often than in summerHumidity insiderises. If the humidity is 50% or 60% in the basement, attic or in an unheated room, the clothes will take longer to become cupboard dry. Bonus point: laundry that dries outside always smells fresh.
Does laundry dry outside in winter when the humidity is high?
If the humidity is high outdoors, unless it is constantly raining or snowing, laundry can dry much more slowly. The air cannot absorb the additional moisture from the laundry. If temperatures remain below freezing, drying clothes outdoors is still possible.
In this case, it practically doesn't matter (almost) whether you hang the laundry outside or inside, in the unheated basement. You can shorten drying time by hanging clothes in a heated room. But this is only possible if you ventilate the room often. Otherwise, the water can condense on a cold house wall or window sill and mold can form.
What happens when it’s cold – can you dry clothes outside?
When the weather is cold and temperatures are above 0° Celsius, the humidity is so high that laundry cannot dry outdoors at all. This also explains why clothes take twice as much time to dry in mild autumn and spring as in frosty, sunny winters.
In this case, you can opt for a heated room or the boiler room. In well-heated rooms, the humidity can drop quickly and the laundry quickly becomes cupboard dry.
How long does laundry take to dry in frosty conditions?
The laundry needs about one to a maximum of two sunny days to dry outside in frosty conditions. In high humidity conditions this can take up to 5 days. If the temperatures are above 0 degrees Celsius, you should let the laundry dry indoors. It's best to hang it on a line in the boiler room. The clothes will be cupboard dry after a maximum of 48 hours.
Can you leave laundry outside overnight?
At night, the humidity outside increases, which prevents the water from evaporating from the laundry. Even more so - the exact opposite often happens: the clothes dry during the day and then absorb moisture from the air overnight. The result – wet laundry the next morning. That's why you should never leave your clothes outside at night. Take it down before the sun goes down and hang it again the next day if necessary.
Drying the laundry in the apartment: How often do you have to ventilate the rooms?
In some cases, for example if it is raining or snowing heavily outside, you simply have to dry the laundry in the apartment or house. But how often do you have to ventilate to avoid mold formation? At least three times a day and also once in the eveningVentilate the room quickly. A tilt window can be of little help. It's best to open two opposite windows for 10 minutes.
