Drying laundry in a small flat: how it works during the heating season

In October the laundry suddenly stays indoors. The drying rack spends two days in the living room, the windows are misted up in the morning, and you can only get through the hallway sideways.

In short

Germany's Federal Environment Agency advises against drying laundry in living rooms whenever possible¹. Without a drying room, many people still dry indoors in the cold months. Then three things matter: a room with a window, short and thorough airing, and a fixed place where the laundry is in nobody's way. The air in the flat stays dry enough, and the living room is yours again.

Step 1: Choose the right room

Laundry dries best where a window opens fully and the door can stay closed. In many small flats that room is the bathroom. The moisture stays in one room, and you air it out on purpose.

A balcony still works in autumn, too. Laundry dries outside even in the cold, it just takes longer². On rainy or foggy days it is better kept inside.

Step 2: Air briefly and thoroughly

A tilted window feels convenient, but it cools the wall next to it and pushes up heating costs¹. It is better to open the window wide two to three times a day for about five minutes¹. When fresh laundry is hanging, an extra round right after hanging it up is worth it.

Keep the heating on in the drying room. The Hamburg consumer advice centre suggests 20 to 22 degrees for the bathroom and 18 to 20 degrees for living rooms².

Step 3: Keep an eye on the humidity

A small hygrometer shows how humid the air is. The Federal Environment Agency gives 40 to 60 percent relative humidity as a guide¹, the Hamburg consumer advice centre recommends 30 to 45 percent in winter². If the reading climbs well above that, it is time for the next round of airing.

Step 4: Hang the laundry with some space

When shirts and towels hang close together, moisture stays between them for longer. With a little space in between, air reaches every garment. That takes plenty of line on a small area.

Product tip: the wall-mounted drying rack in the bathroom

If you dry in the bathroom anyway, the Homellence wall-mounted drying rack hangs above the bath or next to the window. Pulled out, it offers 3.5, 6 or 8.4 m of line depending on the length, and each rod holds up to 5 kg. Once the laundry is dry, fold the wall-mounted drying rack away. It then sits only 2.8 cm from the wall. For fitting you need a drill and a wall that can take the load. Screws and wall plugs are included.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I air the room when laundry dries indoors?
In the cold months the Federal Environment Agency recommends airing wide open two to three times a day for about five minutes¹. An extra round right after hanging the laundry is worth it.

What humidity is normal in a flat?
The Federal Environment Agency names 40 to 60 percent¹. The Hamburg consumer advice centre recommends 30 to 45 percent in winter².

Does laundry dry on the balcony in autumn and winter?
Yes, laundry dries outside in the cold too, it just needs longer².

How much space does a wall-mounted drying rack need in the bathroom?
Pulled out, the Homellence wall-mounted drying rack reaches 35, 50 or 60 cm into the room, depending on the length. Measure the free wall and the space in front of it before choosing a length.

Related

Clear floors in small flats: what belongs on the wall

Sources

1. Wie lüfte ich richtig? Tipps und Tricks zur Schimmelvermeidung, Umweltbundesamt, https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/gesundheit/umwelteinfluesse-auf-den-menschen/schimmel/wie-luefte-ich-richtig-tipps-tricks-zur, accessed 29 Sep 2026
2. Schimmel in der Wohnung: wie vorbeugen und entfernen?, Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg, https://www.vzhh.de/themen/bauen-immobilien-energie/feuchtigkeit-schimmel/schimmel-der-wohnung-wie-vorbeugen-entfernen, accessed 29 Sep 2026

You will find more ideas for a calm home at Homellence.