Best Dehumidifier for Drying Clothes Indoors: 8 Picks Sized by Wash Load

A washer’s spin cycle leaves roughly 3 to 5 pints of water in a standard 8-pound load of cotton. That figure is a labeled estimate, and the section below shows how it is built. The best dehumidifier for drying clothes indoors is the one that can move that water out of a closed room within a few hours, without a tiny tank forcing you to stop halfway through the load.

Of the eight listings here, the BANABIE 32-pint model is the most balanced pick for a laundry room or apartment hallway. The Waykar 80-pint unit fits a big or whole-floor drying space, and the AEOCKY desiccant unit is worth a look if the room runs cool. The ToLife is the budget pick because its listing names a 95 oz tank, enough for most of one wash load.

This guide is built around laundry, not general damp-air control. If you are choosing a unit for a basement or bedroom instead, our guide to the best 50 pint dehumidifier covers that ground, and we will not repeat it here. Everything below comes from published listing titles and general drying physics, with every performance number marked as an estimate.

What one wash load asks of a dehumidifier

AEOCKY 2000 Sq.Ft Rotary Desiccant Dehumidifier, Humidistat, Never Frost | 10 Pints/Day Hands-Free Drainage with Drain Hose for Home RV Bedroom Bathroom Closet Small Basement Laundry, 85oz Tank, Quiet

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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Small Dehumidifier for Home 44OZ Quiet with Auto Off & Defrost 5 Timers 3 modes 10 Color Lights 3 Brightness 260 Sq.ft Portable Dehumidifiers for Basement Bedroom Bathroom RV Closet

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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TABYIK 35 OZ Dehumidifier for Bedroom RV, Quiet with Auto Shut Off, White | 280 Sq.Ft Small Dehumidifiers for Home Bathroom Closet, 7 Color Light, 28dB Ultra Quiet, 35OZ Water Tank

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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KNKA Energy Star 5500 Sq.Ft Dehumidifier for Basement, Max 80 Pint/Day | Dehumidifier with Drain Hose, Dehumidifiers for Home, Bedroom, Bathroom, Large Room, Smart Humidity Control, Sleep Mode

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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Dravonic 1500 Sq.Ft Dehumidifier for Basement, 21 Pints, Compressor, Quiet | Real compressor, auto-defrost, 40dB quiet mode, dual drainage w/ hose, child lock, energy efficient for basement & bedroom

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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BANABIE 2000 Sq.Ft Max 32 Pints Dehumidifier for Basement | Dehumidifiers for Home with Drain Hose, Quiet 32dB, Smart Humidity Control, 24H Timer, Portable for Bedroom, Bathroom, RV

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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Waykar 80 Pints 5000 Sq. Ft 2025 Energy Star Dehumidifier for Basement | 90° Auto Swing, 30%–80% Humidity Control for home, Continuous drainage support, Whole-House Dehumidification, Auto-defrost

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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ToLife Dehumidifier, 1000 Sq Ft 95 oz Tank with Sleep Mode, Auto Shutoff | Portable for Home, Bedroom, Bathroom and Basement with 7-Color LED Light, Grey

One of the moisture-control product options compared in this guide.

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Before comparing models, it helps to know the size of the job. A garment coming out of a spin cycle is not dripping, but it still holds a surprising amount of water. Cotton towels and denim hold more than synthetic activewear, and a washer that spins at a lower speed leaves more behind. The table below uses an assumed retention of 50 percent of dry weight for ordinary loads and 60 percent for heavy cotton. Those percentages are planning assumptions, not measurements from any specific washer.

A pint of water weighs a little over a pound, so the conversion is close to one to one. Now compare those numbers with tank sizes named in the listing titles. A 35 oz tank holds about 2.2 pints and a 44 oz tank about 2.75 pints, so both fill before a standard load is fully dry. A 95 oz tank holds about 5.9 pints, and an 85 oz tank about 5.3 pints. Anything with a drain hose option removes the limit entirely, which is why drainage matters more for laundry than for most other uses. Our guide to drainage options for small rooms walks through the hose, pump and gravity choices.

The second number to understand is how fast a unit actually works. Pints-per-day ratings are made under fixed lab conditions, and the listing often does not say which ones. Older ratings assume 80°F air, while newer ones assume 65°F. A laundry room in a basement or garage is often cooler than either, and a cool coil collects less water. As a planning estimate, assume a unit delivers 40 to 70 percent of its label rating in a cool laundry room. A 32-pint unit then pulls about 13 to 22 pints a day, or roughly 0.5 to 0.9 pint an hour. A 4-pint load takes about 4 to 8 hours to leave the room, which matches real-world rack-drying times. Treat all of this as a labeled estimate.

All eight at a glance

The table lists each model by the details named in its listing title. Price tier is relative within this group of eight, based on the list price in our data: Budget, Mid-range or Premium. Anything not in a title is marked as something to confirm on the listing.

Compact units for a closet or one drying rack

These three suit a bathroom, walk-in closet or tiny laundry nook where you hang one rack of clothes at a time. Their weakness is the same: small tanks. Some units at this size and price are thermoelectric or small desiccant designs rather than compressor models, and none of the three titles names the technology, so confirm it on the listing. Our comparison of thermoelectric and compressor dehumidifiers for small rooms explains why the answer changes how quickly they work in a cool room.

TABYIK 35 OZ Dehumidifier

The TABYIK listing is the lowest in this group on price and the smallest on capacity. Its title names a 35 oz water tank, a 280 sq ft coverage figure, a 28dB noise claim, auto shut off, a 7-color light and a white finish. The title does not give a pints-per-day number or say how the unit removes moisture, so confirm both before relying on it for laundry.

The tank is the number that matters. At about 2.2 pints, it holds roughly 60 percent of the 3.8-pint water estimate for a standard 8-pound load. In practice, the unit will shut itself off on a full tank partway through drying, which makes it a half-load machine: a few shirts, a set of towels, or a delicates rack in a small room. A 280 sq ft claim covers a bathroom or closet comfortably, but it is a manufacturer figure given under unstated conditions, so treat it as an upper bound.

The 28dB figure is attractive for a bedroom closet, but it is a manufacturer claim and not something our team measured. Auto shut off is the feature to value here, because an overflowing tank in a bathroom would be a cleanup nobody wants. Placing the unit on a small stool at rack height, a foot or two from the clothes, gives the best chance of useful airflow across the fabric. Nobody on the team has run this unit, so look at the listing and buyer reviews for notes on how loud the fan is when it starts.

Pros

• Lowest list price in the group, so low regret if the room turns out to need more.
• Auto shut off protects against overflow.
• Small footprint for a closet shelf or bathroom floor.

Cons

• 35 oz tank is smaller than the water in a standard wash load (estimate).
• No drain hose named in the title, so you must empty it by hand.
• Technology and pints per day are not stated; check the listing.

Who it’s for: someone drying small loads in a bathroom or closet who accepts emptying a tank once or twice per session.

Newo 44OZ Small Dehumidifier

The Newo listing gives a little more to work with than the TABYIK. The title names a 44 oz capacity, 260 sq ft coverage, auto off and defrost, five timers, three modes, ten color lights with three brightness levels, and suitability for basement, bedroom, bathroom, RV and closet. The tank holds roughly 2.75 pints, so it is the second smallest in this guide.

For laundry, the timer and mode features are the interesting part. Five timer settings let you run the unit for a fixed window while you sleep or leave the house, and a full-tank shut off prevents a mess if you miss the cutoff. The title does not name the three modes, so check whether one is a dry-clothes or continuous setting, which would be a real advantage. Do not assume it from the number alone. The defrost mention suggests the unit can run in cooler rooms without icing, but the title does not give a lowest operating temperature, so look for one before putting it in an unheated utility room.

Plan on using it for around half of a standard load, or a full load of lightweight items. As an estimate, a 44 oz tank at a likely modest extraction rate fills in a few hours in a damp room, so you will probably empty it more than once for a full rack. Keep it close to the clothes and out of any splash zone near the washer. The decorative lights are a minor feature, but the title confirms they can be dimmed, which matters if the unit sits in a bedroom closet.

Pros

• Five timers make it easy to run overnight windows.
• Auto off and defrost named in the title.
• Slightly larger tank than the TABYIK.

Cons

• 44 oz tank is still smaller than a standard load’s water (estimate).
• The three modes are not described in the title; check the listing.
• No drain hose is named, so continuous drying is not possible.

Who it’s for: an apartment dweller who wants a timer-driven unit for a closet drying rack and does not mind emptying the tank.

ToLife 1000 Sq Ft Dehumidifier

The ToLife is the most interesting budget listing for laundry, because its title names a 95 oz tank. That is about 5.9 pints, which covers the 3.8-pint estimate for a standard load with room to spare. The title also names a 1000 sq ft coverage figure, a sleep mode, auto shutoff, a 7-color LED light and a grey finish, and lists home, bedroom, bathroom and basement as uses.

It does not name a pints-per-day rating, a technology, or a drain hose, so the actual extraction rate is something to confirm. A large tank paired with an unknown extraction rate can mean the unit runs for a long time before the tank fills, which is fine overnight but slower than the compressor models for same-day drying. If the listing shows a small thermoelectric design, expect gentle performance in a cool room. If it is a compressor design, expect noticeably better results.

The sleep mode matters for laundry done at night. A drying session in a small apartment often means the unit runs next to a sleeping area, and the title confirms a quieter mode exists, though it does not give a decibel number. Because the tank is the biggest in the budget tier, this is the option to choose if you want to hang a full load, close the door and come back in the morning. Check that the tank is easy to carry when full, since 95 oz of water weighs about six pounds.

Pros

• 95 oz tank can hold the water from a standard load (estimate).
• Sleep mode and auto shutoff named in the title.
• Low price tier for a unit with such a large tank.

Cons

• Pints-per-day and technology are not in the title.
• No drain hose named, so it stops when the tank is full.
• A 1000 sq ft coverage claim is likely generous for a damp, cool room.

Who it’s for: a budget buyer who wants a full overnight rack of laundry in one closed room.

Mid-capacity units for a laundry room or utility closet

This is the sweet spot for most households. All three listings here name a drain hose or dual drainage, which removes the tank limit, and the coverage figures suit a typical laundry room. Place the unit where air can pass over the clothes, not in a corner with its back to a wall. Our guide to where to put a dehumidifier in a two-story house covers placement issues, such as how air from a lower floor can affect the one above.

BANABIE 32 Pints Dehumidifier

The BANABIE listing is the best all-rounder in this guide. The title names a maximum of 32 pints, a 2000 sq ft coverage figure, a drain hose, a quiet 32dB claim, smart humidity control, a 24H timer, and portability, with basement, bedroom, bathroom and RV listed as uses. That combination covers the three things laundry demands: capacity, a way to avoid emptying a tank, and a humidity target that holds.

The planning estimate from earlier suggests a 32-pint unit pulls roughly 13 to 22 pints a day in a cool room. At that pace a standard 3.8-pint load leaves the air in about 4 to 7 hours, which is the right order of magnitude for a closed laundry room. With a hose run to a floor drain or sink, a second load can follow without anyone touching the machine. Smart humidity control suggests a humidistat, though the title does not describe how it works, so look for the adjustable range on the listing and set it near 45 to 50 percent for drying.

The 2000 sq ft figure is far larger than any laundry room, which means the unit has headroom: it can handle the damp air from a washer and dryer closet as well as the room next to it. The cost is that it is physically larger than the compact models, so measure the space between washer and wall. The 24H timer is useful if you want it to run only while you are out. As with all claims here, 32dB is a manufacturer number, and fan noise at full speed is usually higher than at the lowest setting.

Pros

• Drain hose removes the tank limit for multiple loads.
• Capacity is a good match for a laundry room (estimate).
• Humidity control and 24H timer named in the title.

Cons

• Larger footprint than compact units.
• Technology is not named; confirm it on the listing.
• Quiet figure is a manufacturer claim at an unspecified setting.

Who it’s for: a household with a dedicated laundry room that wants a set-and-forget drying machine.

Dravonic 1500 Sq.Ft Dehumidifier, 21 Pints

The Dravonic listing is the one in this guide that names its technology outright: a real compressor. The title also gives 21 pints, a 1500 sq ft coverage figure, auto-defrost, a 40dB quiet mode, dual drainage with a hose, child lock, and an energy efficient claim, with basement and bedroom listed as uses.

Compared with the BANABIE, it is a step down in capacity. At the same 40 to 70 percent derating assumption, 21 pints works out to roughly 8 to 15 pints a day in a cool room, or 0.35 to 0.6 pint an hour. A standard 3.8-pint load then takes about 6 to 11 hours to leave the room. That is a workable overnight job for one load but slow for a day with several. The compressor does give it an edge over weaker designs in cooler air, and auto-defrost means it can pause and clear coil ice rather than freezing up.

Dual drainage is the standout. It means a hose to a drain or a bucket-style tank, giving flexibility in a laundry closet where the floor drain may not be near the unit. Child lock is a small but useful feature in a household where kids or pets can reach the controls on a unit sitting at floor level. The 40dB mode is a manufacturer claim, and the energy efficient phrase is a general description rather than a rating, so check whether the listing names Energy Star or a wattage.

Pros

• Title names a real compressor, so technology is clear.
• Dual drainage and auto-defrost are named in the title.
• Child lock helps with floor-level placement.

Cons

• 21 pints is slow for several loads a day (estimate).
• Listed above the BANABIE on price despite a lower capacity.
• Energy efficiency is a claim, not a stated rating.

Who it’s for: an apartment or townhouse with a utility closet, one load a day, and a need for a clear compressor design.

AEOCKY 2000 Sq.Ft Rotary Desiccant Dehumidifier

The AEOCKY is the odd one out: a rotary desiccant design rather than a compressor. The title names 10 pints per day, a humidistat, a never-frost claim, hands-free drainage with a drain hose, an 85 oz tank, a 2000 sq ft figure and quiet operation, with home, RV, bedroom, bathroom, closet, small basement and laundry listed as uses. Laundry is named directly in the title.

Desiccant units do not rely on a cold coil, so they do not frost in cool air. That makes this the model to consider for an unheated garage or a basement laundry corner that sits in the low 60s °F or colder. The tradeoff is the output rate: 10 pints per day is a modest label, and a derating assumption of 70 percent in cool air suggests about 7 pints a day, or roughly 0.3 pint an hour. A 3.8-pint load then takes about 13 hours to clear, which is an overnight job at best. Desiccant models also tend to use more electricity per pint and send out warmer, drier air, which can be a small bonus in a cold room (general characteristics, not something confirmed for this unit).

The drain hose and 85 oz tank give flexibility: leave it hands-free with a hose, or use the tank for about 5.3 pints before the unit stops. The humidistat gives a set target, which is helpful because desiccant rotors will otherwise keep running past the point you need. Look for the listing’s wattage before committing, since desiccant draw affects the running cost estimate later in this guide.

Pros

• Never-frost design suits cold rooms.
• Drain hose for hands-free drying.
• Humidistat and laundry use named in the title.

Cons

• 10 pints per day is slow for a full wash load (estimate).
• Likely higher electricity use per pint than a compressor.
• May warm the room slightly while running.

Who it’s for: someone drying one load overnight in a cool garage, basement corner or unheated utility room.

Large units for basement laundry or whole-floor drying

If you wash several loads a week, hang them in an open basement, or want one machine to protect the rest of the floor from laundry moisture, the two large units below are the ones to compare. Both name a drain hose or continuous drainage, and both far exceed what one load needs. That excess capacity means they reach the humidity target quickly and cycle off, so the practical question is noise and floor space. For sizing the room itself, our guide on sizing a dehumidifier for a small room shows a method you can scale up.

KNKA Energy Star 5500 Sq.Ft Dehumidifier

The KNKA listing names Energy Star, a 5500 sq ft coverage figure, a maximum of 80 pints per day, a drain hose, smart humidity control and a sleep mode, with basement, bedroom, bathroom and large room listed as uses. It is one of the two largest units here and sits in the Mid-range price tier.

For laundry, the 80-pint label is far beyond what one load needs, and that matters in two ways. First, it reduces the room to the target humidity quickly, so drying time is limited by how fast the clothes release water rather than by the machine. Using the 40 to 70 percent derating estimate, it should pull 32 to 56 pints a day in a cool space, or about 1.3 to 2.3 pints an hour, clearing a standard load in roughly 2 to 3 hours of runtime. Second, it will cycle on and off once the target is hit, so the average power draw is lower than a continuous-run figure suggests. The Energy Star mention is helpful, but check the listing for the exact wording since the title does not give a rating.

The drain hose makes it suitable for a basement with a floor drain, where it can run for days without attention. Sleep mode is useful if the laundry area sits under a bedroom. The size is the concern: a unit rated for 5500 sq ft is larger and heavier than a laundry closet needs, so confirm the dimensions and handle design on the listing. It is also louder at full speed than the small units, and that claim is not in the title.

Pros

• Large capacity clears a laundry load in a few hours (estimate).
• Energy Star and drain hose named in the title.
• Sleep mode for night use.

Cons

• Oversized for a small laundry closet.
• Heavier and larger to store than compact models.
• Noise at full speed is not given in the title.

Who it’s for: a household with a damp basement that doubles as a laundry area.

Waykar 80 Pints 5000 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier

The Waykar is the premium pick and the most laundry-friendly of the large units, mainly because of one named feature: a 90 degree auto swing. The title also names 80 pints, a 5000 sq ft figure, an Energy Star mention, a 30 to 80 percent humidity control range, continuous drainage support, whole-house dehumidification and auto-defrost.

Auto swing matters for drying. Hanging clothes dry faster when dry air moves across them, and a swinging louver spreads output over a wider area than a fixed grille. Pairing that with a wide control range gives flexibility: you can set 50 percent for ordinary rooms, or drop lower for a short, intense drying session. Continuous drainage support means a hose can handle the water from many loads without attention. Capacity matches the KNKA at 80 pints, so the earlier estimate applies: roughly 2 to 3 hours of runtime for a standard load in a cool room.

The price tier is the highest in the group, and that is the real question. If you wash one or two loads a day, a 32-pint unit does the same job at a lower tier. The Waykar earns its place with a large or open space such as a finished basement with a drying area, or a house where one machine has to keep a whole floor dry. Check the listing for noise at the highest setting, hose length and whether the swing louver can be switched off when you do not want it.

Pros

• 90 degree auto swing helps spread dry air across hanging laundry.
• Wide 30 to 80 percent humidity control range.
• Continuous drainage and auto-defrost named in the title.

Cons

• Highest price tier here; overkill for one load a day.
• Large size needs floor space and a drain nearby.
• Noise at full output is not stated in the title.

Who it’s for: a large or open space, such as a basement drying area, where several loads dry each week.

How we picked these

The Editorial team built this list from published specifications, manufacturer documentation and buyer reviews. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. That means every performance figure above, including water per load, drying time and extraction rates, is a labeled estimate built on stated assumptions, not an observed result.

The filter was practical. First, we favored listings that name a drain hose or a large tank, since a tank smaller than a wash load interrupts drying. Second, we looked for titles that state coverage, capacity or technology, because those details let a reader do the same arithmetic as in the load table. Third, we kept a spread of price tiers so a small apartment and a large basement each have a sensible option. Features such as color lights and brightness settings were noted but not weighed heavily. Where a title was silent on something important, such as the noise level at full speed or the lowest operating temperature, we said so and pointed you to the listing. Buyer reviews are a useful second source for recurring complaints, such as a loud fan or a stiff tank latch, so read them before buying.

Setting up an indoor drying station: a checklist

The best machine still performs poorly in a badly set up room. Use this list the first time you dry a load indoors.

• Spin hard first. Use the highest spin the fabric tolerates. Each step up in speed removes water the dehumidifier would otherwise handle.
• Close the room. Shut the door and keep windows closed unless the outdoor air is clearly drier than indoors.
• Space the pieces. Leave about a hand’s width between hanging items so air reaches every surface.
• Place the unit with clearance. Keep a foot or more of free space around the intake and exhaust, and aim the output at the rack where the unit allows.
• Set the humidistat to about 45 to 50 percent. Going far lower makes the unit run longer with limited benefit once the clothes are dry.
• Run the drain hose downhill. Avoid loops, and secure the end so it cannot slip out.
• Check the first hour. Feel the exhaust air and check that the tank or hose is moving water as expected.
• Clean the filter. A clogged filter cuts airflow and extends drying time.

Time and electricity: what a drying session may cost

These are planning figures under stated assumptions, not measured results. We assume an electricity rate of 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, and the power draw figures below are illustrative for each type of machine. Always check the rated watts on the listing, because they vary a lot between designs.

Two lessons follow. A compressor or large unit costs a little less than a dryer cycle, while a desiccant unit running overnight can cost more. And the small unit looks cheap per session, but its low power comes with a low extraction rate, so it may only suit a partial load. The real reason to dry indoors with a dehumidifier is fabric care and a dry house, not savings.

Mildew and ventilation cautions

Damp fabric left in still, warm air is where musty smells start. As a general guide, aim for clothes to feel dry within 12 to 24 hours. If a heavy item such as a jacket or denim is still damp after a full day, rewash or spin it again instead of waiting. Do not hang laundry directly against exterior walls, where cold surfaces can collect condensation, and keep it away from closed cabinets.

A dehumidifier works best in a closed room, but a closed room is not a sealed one. Make sure fuel-burning appliances such as a gas dryer or water heater have normal combustion air and venting, and do not block a vent to trap warm air. If you see mold on walls or a persistent damp smell that does not clear within a few days, a machine alone is not the fix; the moisture source needs finding. Empty tanks daily, since standing water in a tank can develop odor, and wipe the bucket when you do.

Verdict

Top pick: BANABIE 32 Pints. It pairs a drain hose with a capacity that suits a dedicated laundry room, and it sits in the mid-range price tier.

Budget pick: ToLife 1000 Sq Ft. The 95 oz tank is the largest in the budget group and can hold the water from a standard load (estimate), though you should confirm the extraction rate.

Premium pick: Waykar 80 Pints. Choose it when space and load volume are large and the swinging louver can help spread dry air across the washing line.

For a cold garage corner, add the AEOCKY desiccant to your shortlist. If you are still deciding between sizes, the 50-pint class is the usual next step up from the 32-pint BANABIE.

Frequently asked questions

How much water does a load of laundry release into the air?

Roughly 3 to 5 pints for a standard 8-pound cotton load after a normal spin cycle, and closer to 7 pints for a heavy 12-pound load of towels or denim. That is a labeled estimate built on an assumed 50 to 60 percent water retention by dry weight. Your washer’s spin speed changes the number a lot, so a slower spin means more water for the room to absorb and the dehumidifier to remove.

Can a dehumidifier dry clothes faster than air alone?

Usually yes, in a closed room. Air that is already near saturation cannot take on much more water, so damp fabric dries slowly. A dehumidifier keeps pulling moisture out of that air, which lets the clothes keep releasing water. As a rough estimate, a rack of clothes that needs 12 hours in humid air may need 4 to 8 hours with a correctly sized unit and the door closed.

What size dehumidifier do I need to dry laundry indoors?

Size for the water you are removing, not only the floor area. A 10 by 10 foot laundry room with one 8-pound load per day works with a 20 to 35 pint unit as an estimate. Drying several loads, using a bigger open area, or working in a cool room pushes you toward 50 pints or more, because label ratings assume warmer air than most laundry rooms have.

Is drying clothes with a dehumidifier cheaper than an electric dryer?

Not by a large margin. Using the assumptions in this guide (17 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 350 watt compressor unit running 6 hours), a rack-drying session costs about 36 cents, against about 51 cents for a dryer cycle assumed at 3 kilowatt-hours. The real gains are gentler treatment of fabrics and no hot lint-filled exhaust, not a big drop in the power bill.

How do I stop clothes from smelling musty while they dry indoors?

Shorten the time they stay damp. Spin the load at the highest speed the fabric allows, hang pieces with a hand’s width between them, keep the door shut, and set the humidistat to about 45 to 50 percent. Clothes still wet after 24 hours may start to smell, so run them through the washer again with fresh detergent rather than letting a mildew smell set in.