Here's how to deal with half-dried laundry and unpleasant odors! A laundry expert thoroughly explains tips for drying clothes quickly indoors!

On rainy days and during the rainy season, there are more opportunities to dry clothes indoors even if you normally dry them outside.
One of the most common problems with drying clothes indoors is the unpleasant smell .
Have you ever had the experience of having your laundry take a long time to dry and end up with half-dried clothes, or just when you think it's dry, you find yourself smelling like it's been dried in the room? This time, laundry expert Rie Hirashima will introduce a method to solve the unpleasant smell of drying clothes indoors.

What are the causes and countermeasures for the smell of drying laundry indoors?

What is the cause of the smell when drying laundry indoors? Why does it smell?

Have you ever noticed an unpleasant smell when you wear clothes that have been dried indoors? This unpleasant smell is actually caused by bacteria left in the laundry .
When you hear about germs, you might think, "I just washed it, so where do they get it?" But there are actually all kinds of dirt and germs that stick to clothes on a daily basis.
It is difficult to remove these germs with just a washing machine.

The cause of the half-dried odor and the favorite food of bacteria is moisture.

Even though the washing method is the same, why does it not smell when I dry it outside, but only when I dry it indoors? The reason is that bacteria love moisture! That's what it means.
For example, when you sweat while playing sports and your plain T-shirt gets wet with sweat, there is no odor at that time.
But if you keep that T-shirt damp with sweat in a bag with poor ventilation for days on end...
yes.
As you might imagine, that smell that hits your nose is occurring.
(I'm scared of myself knowing this smell...) That's right.
That odor is the result of bacteria multiplying in an environment with both the causative agent and moisture.

If the laundry stays damp for a long time when it is dried indoors, the bacteria left on the laundry will multiply until it dries, causing the characteristic room-drying odor.

Sunlight also has a bactericidal effect

In addition, there is another reason for drying clothes outside on a sunny day: it dries quickly and prevents the growth of bacteria.
This means that sunlight has a sterilizing and disinfecting effect.
The sun kills any bacteria left on the laundry.

How to prevent odors 1: What is the laundry method to prevent the smell of half-dried laundry when drying it indoors?

However, depending on the weather and lifestyle, you may not be able to dry your clothes outside.
In order to prevent that unpleasant smell from drying clothes indoors, the most important thing is to prevent the bacteria that causes it from multiplying.
First, wash your clothes to remove the bacteria that causes it.

Checklist How to wash without leaving germs

• Prevents the growth of bacteria before washing
• Don't overload the washing machine
• Use alkaline detergents and layers
• Use hot water (boiling water)
• Increase the number of rinses
• Take it out immediately after washing
• Keep the washing tub clean

Each is explained in detail below.

Laundry method 1 to reduce the smell of drying clothes indoors: Use a well-ventilated laundry basket to prevent the growth of bacteria before washing.

Do not leave dirty or sweaty items in a damp place.
As I wrote earlier, it is strictly prohibited to leave it in a bag with poor ventilation.
Laundry baskets are also a surprising breeding ground for bacteria .
Choose a laundry basket that has good ventilation, as it will be used to store a variety of items, such as wet towels and dirty clothes.
Be careful not to overcrowd the laundry basket, as even a well-ventilated basket will retain moisture in the center.
Place damp clothing in the washing machine as soon as possible.

Washing method 2 to reduce the smell of half-dried clothes when drying indoors: Do not overload the washing machine until the 8th minute of washing.

A good rule of thumb is to put clothes in the washing machine until the 8th minute at most.
If you pack it too much, it won't be able to remove all the dirt and germs, which can lead to odors.

Washing method 3 to suppress the half-dry odor when drying indoors: Use alkaline detergent or multiple layers

Alkalinity neutralizes the acid that causes it and breaks down protein stains.
Alkaline may not be the right word, but common soaps are alkaline.
In addition, the multilayer that is often used for cleaning is slightly alkaline.
By removing protein stains, which are the causative substances, it has a deodorizing effect, and since it removes stains from the root, colors and patterns become clearer.

Washing method 4 to suppress the half-dry smell when drying indoors: Use hot water (boiling water)

Bacteria are sensitive to heat.
Dish towels used in the kitchen are sterilized by boiling.
As expected, sterilizing clothing by boiling it will cause various damage such as shrinkage and fading of color.
When washing clothes, we recommend soaking them in hot water at about 40 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes to an hour.
If you don't have to worry about shrinkage or the like, it's a good idea to boil cloth products to sterilize and deodorize them, especially if they are used in areas where bacteria are likely to grow, such as the kitchen.

Laundry method 5 to suppress half-dried odor when drying indoors: Increase the number of rinses to twice or more

``Rinse'' after washing in a washing machine.
Do this one or two times more than usual to flush out germs from the clothes that have been washed with detergent.
Let's flush out as much as possible to reduce the number of causative bacteria remaining in the laundry.

Washing method 6 to suppress the half-dry odor when drying indoors: Take out the laundry immediately after washing and hang it to dry.

When washing is finished, remove it from the washing machine as soon as possible.
This is really important.
If you leave washed clothes in the washing machine and it stays damp, bacteria will grow inside the washing machine and mold will form.
Washing machines that are supposed to be clean often end up being breeding grounds for bacteria.
Please take out the laundry as soon as it is finished washing.
Don't forget to dry the inside of the washing machine after taking out the laundry.
Please leave the door open so that the inside of the tank can dry, or use a drying function if available.

Laundry method 7 to suppress half-dried odor when drying indoors: Clean the laundry tub and keep it clean

Even if the inside of the washing machine is thoroughly dried, dirt and bacteria can remain behind the washing tub.
If you leave it as is, bacteria will slowly grow and be transferred to your laundry.
After washing, open the lid and let it dry.
It is also a good idea to leave a corner open for detergent and fabric softener, and we recommend cleaning the tank once a month using a laundry tank cleaner.
Easy cleaning with Rinenna's special laundry detergent! Since it is a non-chlorine cleaning agent, there is no odor during cleaning, so you can feel safe.

Attention! Check the clothing washing instructions

Before trying the above method, be sure to check the clothing label carefully.
Alkaline detergents that break down proteins cannot be used on animal materials (wool, silk, cashmere, etc.).
Also, materials such as wool, silk, rayon, and nylon are particularly sensitive to heat, so please be careful about the temperature.
Also, avoid sterilizing knits and jerseys in boiling water as this may cause them to shrink.

Regarding the use of leftover bath water

Many households use leftover hot water from the bath to wash their clothes. There are many bacteria in leftover bath water.
Using leftover bath water is not recommended, especially during the rainy season or for those who dry their clothes indoors.
If you absolutely must, please use the leftover water from the bath only for washing, and use tap water for rinsing.
Ideally, if you are washing twice, use the remaining hot water for the first wash, and use tap water for the second and subsequent washes, avoiding the remaining hot water as much as possible.

How to prevent half-drying odor when drying your clothes indoors 2: What are some tips for drying your clothes indoors to avoid the unpleasant smell of half-dried clothes?

How to prevent unpleasant half-dry smell and dry clothes quickly by hanging them indoors

To prevent unpleasant half-dry odors, it is important to dry your clothes as soon as possible after running them in the washing machine.
I will tell you some tips on how to dry your clothes as quickly as possible, even if you hang them indoors.

Checklist Tips for drying indoors to avoid unpleasant half-dry odors and dry quickly

• Increase dehydration time
• Dry a large surface area that comes in contact with the air
• air the laundry
• dehumidify the room
• use an iron

Each is explained in detail below.

Drying tips to prevent unpleasant half-dried odor 1: Extend dehydration time

When drying clothes indoors, you can also try extending the dehydration time longer than usual.
However, depending on the material of the clothing, the wrinkles may become too tight or cause the shoulders to collapse, so please adjust accordingly depending on the type of laundry.

Tips for drying to prevent unpleasant half-dried odor 2: When drying indoors, open the clothes one fist wide

Even if you take the items out quickly, there is no point in packing them tightly and drying them.
Leave space between laundry items to increase the area where the clothes are exposed to the air.
The aim is to open it more than the width of your fist.
For items like hoodies where the hood overlaps the back, the key is to prepare another hanger and secure it with clothespins to prevent the fabric from overlapping.
Moisture accumulates at the hem of long pants, so use a pinch hanger to lift the hem to dry faster.
Also, for items with pockets, the fabric overlaps on the inside, so if you turn it inside out to dry, the fabric in the pocket area will dry properly.

Tip 3 on how to dry to prevent unpleasant half-dried odor: Air the laundry

Wind is the best way to blow away moisture left on clothing.
By using a fan or circulator to distribute air evenly over the laundry, you can significantly shorten the time it takes to dry the laundry.

Drying tips to prevent unpleasant half-dried odor 4: Dehumidify the room

Even if you dry the laundry at intervals or blow it with air, it will not dry easily if the humidity in the room is high.
The lower the amount of moisture in the air, the faster it will dry, so if your room has a dehumidifier or air conditioner, use the dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.

Tip 5 on how to dry to prevent unpleasant half-dry smell: Use an iron

Once the laundry is somewhat dry, you can iron it.
It is especially recommended for products made of 100% cotton, which has excellent moisture absorption.
If you use an iron to dry your clothes, don't forget to turn off the steam function.

Let's know the best place to dry your clothes indoors!

In a recent room drying survey, 38% of households aired their clothes in the living room.
Drying clothes in the living room can be fraught with various problems, such as being difficult when guests come over, being connected to the kitchen so food odors can be transmitted, and being a nuisance.
So, the most recommended place to dry your clothes is...

Washrooms and bathrooms are recommended for drying indoors.

Bathrooms and washrooms with ventilation facilities are perfect for drying clothes indoors.
(*Ventilation equipment is standard for houses and condominiums built after 2003.) Since it is out of sight and is smaller than the living room, it is necessary to use a dehumidifier to reduce the overall humidity in the room. The lowering speed will be faster.
However, depending on your family's lifestyle, it may be difficult to dry clothes in the washroom or bathroom.
Things to keep in mind when drying clothes in your living room or spare room:

dry in the center of the room

However, depending on your family's lifestyle, it may be difficult to dry clothes in the washroom or bathroom.
If you want to dry clothes in your living room or a spare room, you need to be careful about where you want to dry them.
You might be tempted to dry it next to a window, but don't do so next to a window or wall.
Air circulation is poor and it takes a long time to dry.
When drying clothes indoors, it's best to dry them in the center of the room where there is an air passage.
If the room is equipped with an air conditioner, we recommend a location that is exposed to the air conditioning.

Do not dry clothes in the bedroom or walk-in closet.

Also, the least recommended place for drying clothes is the bedroom or walk-in closet.
If you dry your clothes indoors, the humidity in the room will increase dramatically.
For example, if you spin 5 kg of laundry and dry it, approximately 3 kg of water will be released into the air.
Increased humidity can cause dust mites and mold to grow on your bedding and clothing.
For the same reason, children's rooms that have a lot of stuffed animals are also one of the rooms you should avoid.

Prevents dry smell! Goods recommended for drying indoors

Prevents dry smell! Recommended goods for drying indoors 1 | Hanger rack

Where do you hang your laundry when you dry it indoors? I often hear about hanging it on a window frame or hanging it on a curtain rail .
Areas near windows or walls are not recommended as air can stagnate.
Furthermore, please avoid washing laundry that contains moisture, as it is quite heavy and may damage the curtain rail.
A hanger rack is essential for drying clothes in the center of a room with good air circulation.
There are racks that can be stored compactly when cleaning up, such as extendable and foldable types.
The extendable type, which allows you to adjust the height and width depending on the amount of laundry, is recommended for families with children who often have to do laundry unexpectedly.
For those who find it troublesome to clean up the space no matter how compact it is, we recommend the wire type that can be attached to the wall.

Prevents dry smell! Recommended goods for indoor drying 2 | A savior for indoor drying people! Dehumidifier/dryer

After all, a clothes dryer is your go-to when you can't dry your clothes outside.
Washing dryers and drum-type clothes dryers have the advantage of making towels fluffy and finishing them in a short time.
However, it's expensive, so it's an item you'll want to consider when it's time to replace it.

Are there any items that can help you dry your clothes indoors at a more reasonable price?

Prevents dry smell! Recommended goods for drying indoors 3 | Use a dehumidifier

A dehumidifier that quickly lowers the humidity in the entire room is recommended for households with a large amount of laundry.
Recently, there are many dehumidifiers with clothes drying and sterilization functions, so be sure to check them out.

Prevents dry smell! Recommended goods for drying indoors 4 | Use a futon dryer

For families with a small amount of laundry, we recommend using a futon dryer to dry your clothes .
Place a special bag for drying clothes over the hanger on which the laundry is hung, connect it to a futon dryer, and blow hot air to dry the clothes.
Special bags are quite reasonable at a few thousand yen, so if you have a futon dryer, this is a method you should definitely try.

Tips for drying your clothes indoors! Reduce humidity in the room with plastic bottles

Placing two or three frozen plastic bottles in a basin or bowl and placing them in the room will reduce humidity.
In addition to drying your clothes indoors, this trick is also recommended for those nights when you have trouble sleeping.
We are introducing laundry techniques during the rainy season on the Laundry Helpful Channel, so please take a look.