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Placing your drying rack here could trigger mould growth and damage your walls, warns style expert
Winter forces most of us to bring the washing indoors and turn out living rooms and bedrooms into makeshift drying areas. While it may seem logical to tuck a drying rack against an exterior wall to keep it “out of the way”, this common habit could be silently damaging your home.According to Leanna Spektor, Co-Founder and Style Expert at Brand House Direct, a leading Australian online retailer specialising in footwear, apparel and accessories, there is one spot you should never use when drying clothes indoors: directly against an exterior wall.“Positioning damp laundry against or even near an exterior wall traps moisture against the coldest surface in your home,” explained Leanna.
“This creates the perfect conditions for condensation, damp patches, and accelerated mould growth that people typically don't notice until it becomes a serious problem.”With over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry and a deep understanding of fabric care, Leanna shares why this placement matters more than most people realize, and where you should be drying your clothes instead.
Why exterior walls are the worst place for drying clothes
During winter months, exterior walls become significantly colder than internal walls.
When damp laundry sits pressed against them or even positioned a few inches away, moisture from the clothes rises into the cold surface. This temperature difference creates the perfect environment for condensation to form.
Style and cloth-care expert warns against drying clothes directly against exterior walls as moisture becomes trapped, leading to mould and structural damage.
“The problem is that this moisture doesn't simply evaporate,” said Leanna. “It seeps into the wall surface, creating damp patches that often go unnoticed because they're hidden behind the drying rack, furniture, or in corners people rarely check.”This trapped moisture creates ideal conditions for mould growth. Black mould can develop within 24 to 48 hours in the right conditions and exterior walls in winter provide exactly that: cold surfaces combined with high humidity from drying laundry. The damage amounts to more than unsightly marks.Persistent moisture against walls can lead to peeling paint, crumbling plaster, and structural issues that become expensive to repair.
For families with young children or anyone with respiratory conditions, the health implications of mould exposure add another layer of concern.
The hidden damage you can't see
What makes this issue particularly problematic is where the damage typically occurs. Moisture often builds up in areas that aren't regularly visible or accessible.Behind furniture pushed against exterior walls, moisture accumulates unnoticed for weeks or months.
Behind radiators, which is ironically a spot people usually choose for faster drying, condensation forms where warm, moist air meets the cold wall. In corners where two exterior walls meet, the problem intensifies as these areas are naturally colder and poorly ventilated.
Expert explains how cold exterior walls create condensation that builds behind furniture and in rarely-checked corners.
“I've seen cases where people only discovered the extent of the damage when they moved furniture or took down a picture frame,” Leanna noted. “By that point, the mould has spread significantly, and the repair costs are substantial.”The issue compounds during winter because homes are typically less ventilated. With windows closed to keep heat in, moisture from drying clothes settles on the coldest surfaces: your exterior walls.
Where you should dry clothes instead
Rather than stopping drying clothes indoors entirely, the solution is to be more strategic about placement. Internal walls stay warmer than exterior ones, meaning moisture is less likely to condense on their surface.
Positioning your drying rack near an internal wall (ideally in a room with good air circulation) allows moisture to evaporate more naturally.“If you have central heating, placing your rack in a warmer room helps clothes dry faster while reducing the risk of condensation,” explained Leanna.Bathrooms with extractor fans or windows you can crack open periodically work well, as the existing ventilation helps remove moisture.
Hallways with internal walls offer another practical option, particularly if they have through-ventilation.
Practical tips for safe indoor drying
Beyond choosing the right location, Leanna recommends a few simple adjustments that can protect your home:
- Always maintain at least 30-50cm distance between your drying rack and any exterior wall. This gap allows air to circulate, preventing moisture from becoming trapped against the cold surface.
- Avoid pushing furniture or drying racks tight against walls. Air needs space to move around damp items for proper evaporation.
- If you must use a space near an exterior wall, open a window slightly for 10-15 minutes several times a day. Even in winter, this brief ventilation allows moisture-laden air to escape without losing too much heat. “Don't block heating vents or radiators with wet clothes,” advised Leanna. “It reduces your heating efficiency and can still cause moisture problems on nearby walls.
- Consider rotating the position of your drying rack between loads rather than leaving it in the same spot. This prevents any one area from experiencing prolonged moisture exposure.
The key to safe indoor drying is understanding that placement matters just as much as ventilation. Leanna Spektor concluded with the advice, “Always keep drying racks at least 30-50cm away from exterior walls.
This simple step prevents most moisture-related damage.“Place racks near internal walls or in warmer, better-ventilated areas of your home. If you're using a room with central heating, that's ideal but make sure you're not blocking airflow behind furniture or around the rack itself. I recommend opening windows for short bursts throughout the day, even in winter. Just 10-15 minutes of fresh air circulation helps enormously. And never drape clothes directly over radiators or push racks flush against any wall.
”These small adjustments protect both your clothes and your home, preventing costly repairs and health issues down the line.
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