6 reasons you should not dry laundry outside – according to laundry professionals

If you are not a fan of using the tumble dryer or want to prolong the lifespan of your clothes and linens, you may turn to air drying instead.

While there are several benefits of air-drying laundry, there are a few reasons why you might want to consider drying clothes indoors rather than hanging things outside on a washing line, laundry experts warn.

Here, they explain why you should not dry laundry outside and how it can make a difference to your clothes and linens.

Reasons you should not dry laundry outside

Drying clothes outside on a line can help to dry clothes quickly without the need for a tumble dryer, but doing so can introduce your clothes to all sorts of allergens.

Here’s why drying outside might not be for you.

1. The weather can change

The ideal weather to dry clothes outside is dry, bright, and slightly windy. Any clouds or too strong a wind can end up with you having to run out to pull your laundry down in the rain Ken Doty, COO and cleaning expert at The Maids reminds us.

‘The more commonly known roadblocks can be weather-related issues of rain and wind kicking up dirt and grime into your freshly washed clothing or knocking them off the line completely, making you have to take a trip back to your washer sooner than you would have liked.’

2. Pollen

Even if you have followed all the best cleaning tips for allergy sufferers, using hypo-allergenic detergents and cleaning a washing machine regularly, drying laundry outside can undo all of it.

Ken Doty, a cleaning expert, continues, ‘In the summer and spring months pollen can introduce the factor of common allergens getting stuck in your clothes and transmitting them across the house.’

This will not only exasperate allergy symptoms but can result in you having to remove pollen stains from fabric.

3. Humidity can slow drying

One of the biggest benefits of the best tumble dryers is drying clothes quickly, minimizing the risk of musty odors and mildew growth. Given that you do not have as much control over the outside humidity as you do your tumble dryer temperature guide, it can sometimes be better to dry clothes indoors instead.

Trish Duarte, professional cleaner with over 10 years experience and franchisee owner of MaidPro Temecula and Murrieta, says ‘Ideally, clothes should be dried within two to six hours. It’s a 911 alert if you smell musty odors. It means bacteria, mold, and mildew are growing in your clothes. You will need to rewash them, and I’d suggest adding OxiClean, available at Walmart, or pure Sodium Percarbonate for an added antibacterial boost. The sooner they dry, the lower the risk.'

When drying clothes inside, consider using adehumidifer to help speed the process up, prevent mold, and stop clothes smelling sour after washing. We tried the Joseph Joseph indoor airer and it's great for small spaces, and covers the sight of your laundry without making it smell bad.

4. HOA rules

As much as we wish they didn’t exist, some HOA rules could stop you from drying your laundry outside Trish Duarte, professional cleaner, warns.

‘Some homeowners' associations have rules against drying clothes outside, which can limit your options if you live in a community that does. However, a little-known fact is that several states have “Right to Dry” laws protecting people’s right to a natural dry for their clothing outdoors. States that have enacted "right to dry" laws or have provisions that protect the right to dry are California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Utah, Colorado, and Connecticut.

‘It's important to check your own local ordinances because regulations can vary within states,’ she adds.

5. Sunlight can fade colors

There are several mistakes to avoid when washing colors that can help stop fading. However, this work can be undone if you then hang your dark and colored clothing out in bright sunlight for several hours, Daniel Brown, professional cleaner and CEO of Handy Cleaners, warns us.

‘It was worth noting that the colors of fabrics might fade faster due to excessive exposure to the sun, especially for bright or dark-colored clothes.’ To avoid this, air dry clothes inside away from windows.

6. Insects

Insects love fresh laundry. It often smells sweet, and bright colors can draw them in. As a result, drying clothes outside could introduce pests into your home.

Trish Duarte, a professional cleaner, says ‘Insects can cause damage to clothing causing holes in the fabric or staining. Ants can make their way onto your clothes, and some can bite…not the most pleasant way to get dressed in the morning. It's important to pull in clothing as soon as it’s dry, and to inspect it before bringing it indoors.’ Forgetting to waft laundry out before packing it into your basket is a common pest control mistake making things worse.

Avoiding drying your laundry outside doesn’t mean you have to give up on air drying clothes altogether. Ken Doty, a cleaning expert, reminds us. ‘There are several alternatives to a dryer and outside clothing line. You could look into the best dehumidifier that also has a clothes drying option, a traditional drying rack, using hangers to help air dry, or an electric clothes airer.’