How do I stop my clothes smelling funny when I dry them indoors?

Question

We cannot afford a dryer and the weather has been terrible lately for putting it on the line.

Answer 1

put them on a clothes horse in front of the fireplace (but not too close) ventilation like a window open slightly so your house does not get damp, if your house does have moisture then this settles into the fibres and can make them smelly this is usually after 2 days of being wet.

Answer 2

I agree with everyone else that referenced the retractable clothes lines. One thing that I did when I was in an apartment that did not have a washer/dryer. I had a long wide but not very tall box that I placed over the forced air heat vent. I cut a series of slots in the box and then hung the wet clothes above the box. The next morning the clothes were dry and the box went back into the closet. You use the box to spread the dry heated air up and around the clothes. It did a pretty good job of drying even my wool uniform. You may want to make sure the room (I did mine in the bathroom) has the door open. You don't want all of that water released in a small room otherwise you'll end up with mold. You could use a box fan on low to help move some of the air out and round the clothes. Good luck.

Answer 3

I know what you mean, I used to have that problem too.
There a view things you can do.
* First of all spincycle the wash on the highest possible setting, at least 1400, cos I think its mainly the clothes being 'wet' too long which takes longer obviously to dry and then that smell gets in the fabrics.
* Try and hang the washing out near a radiator or even pipes which transport warm water. That really helps. Dont cover your radiator with damp clothes though, that will cost you even more on heating ;-).
* Also if possible, get the washing out of the machine as soon as the washing is done. If it stays in the machine too long it starts to smell too.
* Maybe you already do, but otherwise try using a fabric softner with a nice perfume (if you arent allergic).

Hope any of this is of help, good luck.

Answer 4

Make sure the clothes are at least spun well to remove as much of the water as possible - this may mean spinning it twice in the washing machine. Then when you dry it, put it somewhere with good ventiliation and away from the rest of the house where cooking smells can travel to. I usually leave mine in the spare room upstairs with the window slightly open. Also, never leave clothes in the washing machine for longer than a hour after they are done, otherwise they begin to smell funny.

Answer 5

I put my shirts, tops ets on hangers on the curtain rail in front of a slightly open window.
Then they get fresh air as they dry.
Make sure your curtain rail is strong enough, and that you close the window if you go out.
If you hang things over an airer, try to hang each item over two bars so the two sides of the garment aren't touching, then they'll dry quicker.
It sounds like the clothes are smelling fusty due to being damp too long.

Answer 6

I air dry most of my clothes.
I use SA8 detergent & fabric softner.
I add a little of the softner to my wash & they always come out fresh smelling. This is very concentrated so remember to use only a little. Being concentrated it lasts a lot longer & saves me money. You can find it at the below site. It is also environmentally friendly & doesn't wear out your clothes as fast as others on the market.

Answer 7

Try not to dry them in the kitchen, as they will pick up all the cooking/food smells etc. Also try using more than the suggested amount of Fabric Conditioner. Other tips I'd recommend have already been suggested.

Answer 8

I have the same problem, i find if you hang them over the banister of the stairs (if you have them ) well spaced apart on an airer as the heat rises in the house and if you are drying jeans tumble them for a bit until they are just slightly damp and then hang out with enough space to spread them out. this works for me.

Answer 9

I do all my drying indoors
we have 3 clothes horses (airers - whatever you call them)
Make sure the clothes aren't overlapping, try to do it near a window and open it a little, dry them while you are out at work
none of my clothes smell.

Answer 10

dilute some sofner with water in a spray bottle and spray ya cloths.when yr ironin them.that shud help.it also helps 2 get yr creses out at the same time.or ya can just spray them as there dryin.