How to Dry Laundry Indoors Without Musty Smells

To reduce musty smells when drying laundry indoors, remove washing promptly, spread it out and allow moisture to leave the room. Laundry perfume adds fragrance, but it cannot make damp washing dry or fix the cause of a persistent smell.

Start with the wash

Follow the fabric label and detergent instructions. Avoid overloading the machine and use an appropriate spin setting for the items. A suitable spin removes water before you hang the washing, while delicate fabrics may need a gentler setting.

Hang it up promptly

Do not leave a finished load sitting in the closed drum. Shake out items and place them on an airer with gaps between them. Spread out thick seams and avoid stacking wet fabric in layers.

Manage moisture and airflow

Choose a suitable, ventilated space and follow your home's ventilation guidance. Keep existing vents clear. If you use a dehumidifier, follow its operating instructions and give it the required clearance. Drying time varies with fabric thickness, room conditions and the amount of washing.

Check thick areas before storing

Waistbands, cuffs, pockets and towel edges can remain damp after the rest feels dry. Check these areas before folding. Store only fully dry items in a clean, dry cupboard and avoid packing it so tightly that fabrics remain compressed and damp.

If washing already smells musty

Check the machine drawer, seal and filter according to the appliance manual, and follow its recommended maintenance routine. If the clothes need rewashing, use a suitable programme and dry them properly afterwards. Adding more fragrance can disguise a smell without resolving the problem.

Where laundry perfume fits

For a scented finish, add Love for Laundry during the wash: use 5–10 ml in the fabric softener compartment, following the product label, and put detergent in its usual place separately. Do not pour concentrate onto drying clothes or use it as a room spray.

See the step-by-step usage guide and our wider laundry care guide.