Drying clothing in laundry

[iknownothing]

We're adding a drying rack to the laundry for clothing / towels.

What kind of exhaust will help dry the clothes and also help prevent any mould issues in the room?  

I saw a Panasonic one with a sensor and a heater, which seems like a great idea, but we live in Qld so we don't necessarily want to add heat, and often we need to dry inside in the summer (because that's when we're most likely to have prolonged rain).  If heat is the best solution we could just shut the laundry door so it's only in that room I guess.

Any recommendations?

[JacobZ]

Hi @iknownothing,

When drying clothes indoors, the key issue to manage is the moisture in the air. Wet clothing releases a significant amount of water into the air, and if that moisture is not removed, drying times increase and the risk of mould becomes much higher. For that reason, ventilation is more important than heat.

Any exhaust fan that vents to the outside, whether it is ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted, will make a meaningful difference. Its role is to remove humid air from the laundry and allow drier air to replace it. Even without heating, this air exchange helps clothes dry faster and significantly reduces condensation and mould risk.

Air movement within the space also helps the process. Positioning the drying rack near the exhaust fan and allowing air to enter the room, such as by leaving the door or a window slightly open, allows the fan to work efficiently. Additional airflow, for example, from a small fan, can further improve drying by keeping air moving across the clothes.

Closing the door to keep the heat in wouldn't be the best because exhaust fans also rely on replacement air to work properly. If the door is closed and the room is sealed, the fan struggles to pull air through the space. Leaving the door slightly open allows drier air from the house to enter, which helps push the moist air out through the exhaust and makes the system far more effective.

Overall, the most effective approach is consistent ventilation whenever clothes are drying, supported by good airflow through the room. Heat can be used when needed, but ventilation should be the priority to keep drying times reasonable and prevent mould issues.

When you mentioned the Panasonic vent, I believe the Panasonic Bathroom Heater & Exhaust Fan Thermo Ventilator is what you were referring to. Having a look at the specs, this would certainly be a good option for your laundry and the dry mode, which is specifically designed for drying things like wet towels, or in your case, laundry, would be excellent.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[iknownothing]

This makes perfect sense 🙏. Thanks so much