Drying laundry in winter: why hammam towels have the edge
In summer, laundry hangs on the balcony and is dry in no time. If you have to dry laundry in winter, the drying rack ends up in the living room – and thick terry towels still feel damp after a day. At the same time, the humidity in the flat rises and condensation forms on cold window frames. With a few tricks, the right spot and quick-drying textiles, it becomes much easier. Here are our tips.
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Why laundry takes so long in winter
For laundry to dry, the water in the fabric has to evaporate and be absorbed by the air. In winter, several factors slow this process down:
- Cool rooms: The cooler the air, the more slowly water evaporates.
- Little air exchange: With the windows closed, moisture builds up in the room and at some point the air can hardly absorb any more.
- Thick fabrics: Terry has lots of loops that hold water. Jeans, jumpers and bed linen also take a long time.
- Full drying racks: Items hung close together touch each other and the air circulates poorly.
Depending on the size of the load and the spin speed, a wash load can contain several litres of water. That water ends up in the indoor air as it dries. That is why drying indoors always goes hand in hand with airing.
Drying laundry in winter: our tips
- Spin well: The less water in the fabric, the faster it dries. Choose the highest spin speed the care label allows.
- Hang it up straight away: Do not leave wet laundry in the drum for hours. That encourages a musty smell.
- Shake out and hang flat: Hang towels in a single layer, not folded double. Socks and small items go on the outside.
- Leave space: Leave a hand's width between items so the air can circulate.
- A warm room: The drying rack belongs in a heated room, but not directly on or against the radiator.
- Air thoroughly: Open the windows wide for a few minutes several times a day instead of leaving them permanently tilted.
- Not in the bedroom: It is usually cooler there, and the extra moisture is a nuisance at night.
The towel trick for delicate items
Individual jumpers or delicate items that should not be spun hard can be rolled up in a dry towel after washing and gently pressed. The towel absorbs some of the water, and the garment then dries faster. A flat-woven hammam towel also works well for this and is quickly dry again itself afterwards.
Drying laundry in winter: the right spot
Laundry dries best in a heated room that can be aired well and where people do not spend all their time – for example a study or a large bathroom with a window. Cold cellar rooms without ventilation are unsuitable, because laundry hardly dries there and mould can form. If you can, place the rack near a window that opens easily. A hygrometer shows you whether the humidity in the room is getting too high. If it stays well above 60 %, air the room more often.
Drying outdoors – even in the cold?
Yes, that works. If you want to dry laundry in winter without burdening the indoor air, you can hang it outside on dry days. Even at sub-zero temperatures, laundry dries outdoors when the air is dry and there is wind. The water freezes in the fabric and then passes directly from ice into water vapour. This takes longer than in summer but relieves the indoor air. In fog, rain or very humid air, however, it hardly works. Bring frozen laundry in carefully and let it finish drying indoors so that the stiff fibres do not break.
Drying rack or tumble dryer?
A tumble dryer is convenient in winter: the laundry is dry quickly and the moisture does not stay in the flat. On the other hand, it uses electricity, and not every textile can take the heat. Many people therefore combine both: towels and bed linen that can take it according to the label go in the dryer, while delicate items, wool and light cotton towels go on the rack. If you dry laundry in winter without a tumble dryer, you can soften the effect with light textiles: the less water a fabric absorbs and the thinner it is, the less moisture ends up in the indoor air and the sooner the rack is free again. In any case, the care label is what counts. Anything not approved for the dryer can shrink or lose its shape.
Terry and hammam towels compared
With towels, the difference between the weaves is particularly clear in winter. The table compares a classic terry towel with a flat-woven hammam towel:
| Terry towel | Hammam towel | |
|---|---|---|
| Weave | Loops | Flat-woven |
| Drying indoors | Often several hours | In our experience about 1 hour |
| Space on the drying rack | A lot | Little, as it is thin |
| Moisture in the indoor air | More water in the fabric | Less water in the fabric |
| Weight (180 × 100 cm) | Considerably heavier | Ocean approx. 400 g |
Drying time depends on the room climate. Our figures come from everyday use at the Meri Sauna, not from a laboratory test. In the sun, in our experience, a hammam towel even dries in about 30 minutes – the exception in winter, but quite possible on clear, sunny days on the balcony.
Which towels are particularly suitable for winter
If you have to dry laundry in winter and are short of space, light textiles are a real help:
- Ocean hammam towel: 180 × 100 cm, approx. 400 g, 100 % cotton, flat-woven. Care: 30 °C, no fabric softener, air-dry.
- Mini hammam towel Diamant: approx. 90 × 45 cm, approx. 120 g. Can be used as a hand towel, hair towel or tea towel and takes up hardly any space on the rack.
- Hammam towel set Single: 2 × Ocean and 1 × StayOn – handy when one set is drying while the other is in use.
If you prefer to use a tumble dryer, check the label first. Our Ocean hammam towels should be air-dried. The DOTWAVE sauna towel XL, on the other hand, can go in the dryer according to the manufacturer. You will find an overview of all models in our hammam towel collection.
Avoiding a musty smell and mould
Laundry that stays damp for days quickly smells musty. And permanently high humidity can encourage mould in cool corners. These points help:
- Smaller loads: Better to hang up half a load twice than one overloaded rack.
- Dry first, then into the cupboard: Even slightly damp laundry should not be folded and put away.
- Leave the washing machine open: Leave the door and detergent drawer open after washing.
- Dehumidifier: In rooms that cannot be aired well, a dehumidifier can help.
If towels still smell or absorb less well despite all this, you will find more tips in our article hammam towel smells or does not absorb.
Related reading: Care Symbols Explained: How to Read Any Laundry Label · Changing Towels: How Often? Guidelines for Every Towel · Bathrobe in winter: which one keeps you warm at home?
Conclusion
Drying laundry in winter works best with well-spun laundry, a heated room, enough space on the rack and regular airing. In dry, windy weather the laundry can also go outside. And when it comes to towels, a hammam towel shows its greatest advantage: it is dry again in a short time and puts less strain on the indoor air.
Frequently asked questions
Can a hammam towel go in the tumble dryer?
That depends on the model. For our Ocean hammam towels we recommend air-drying. Always check the care label.
Is it harmful to dry laundry in winter where you live?
Not in principle. What matters is airing thoroughly on a regular basis and keeping an eye on the humidity so that no mould forms.
Does laundry dry outside in frost?
Yes, when the air is dry and windy. It takes longer than in summer. In fog or rain it hardly works.
Why do towels sometimes smell musty in winter?
Usually because they stayed damp for too long. Quicker-drying towels, space on the rack and regular airing help.
How often should I air the room when drying laundry in winter?
Several times a day for a few minutes with the window wide open. A hygrometer helps you judge.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.