Rainy days in Bangalore bring cool weather—and laundry headaches. Clothes take forever to dry, towels smell musty, and dark clouds make you delay wash day. Here’s a simple guide to keep your laundry fresh through the monsoon.
1) Wash smaller loads
When the humidity is high, air can’t carry away moisture quickly. Smaller loads wash and rinse better, and they dry faster indoors. Overstuffing the machine leaves detergent trapped in fibres, which turns into that damp, musty smell.
2) Spin on a higher RPM
Use the highest safe spin speed your fabric can handle. More water out in the machine means less time hanging around your house. For delicates, use a gentle cycle with a decent spin; for towels and jeans, go higher.
3) Give odour a head start
Add an extra rinse for gym wear and towels. If they still smell damp, wash with warm water (if the care label allows). Avoid heavy softeners on towels—they can lock in moisture and reduce absorbency.
4) Dry smarter indoors
- Create airflow: A small fan pointed across (not directly at) the clothes speeds evaporation.
- Space items out: Leave gaps between hangers; don’t stack clothes.
- Turn items once: Flip mid-dry so cuffs, waistbands, and pockets don’t stay wet.
- Use a drying rack by a window: Even diffused daylight helps.
5) Beat the musty smell
If something smells off after drying, don’t spray perfume over it—it traps odour. Re-wash with a proper rinse. For tough cases (like towels forgotten in the machine), wash again on warm with a good spin and dry with airflow.
6) Treat stains before they set
Monsoon delays can set stains. Blot (don’t rub), keep the area damp, and hand it over quickly for professional stain removal. Heat from ironing can lock stains in permanently.
7) Know when to outsource
When the rain doesn’t stop, consider pickup & delivery for:
- Wash & Fold (quick turnaround, tidy folding)
- Steam Press (crisp finish without shine)
- Dry Cleaning (wool, silk, structured outfits)
- Stain Removal (oil, turmeric, makeup)
8) Store clothes the right way
After drying, let clothes cool before packing. Use breathable storage—no sealed plastic in humid weather. Slip a small moisture absorber or cedar sachet into wardrobes to keep things fresh.
Quick Checklist
- Smaller loads, higher spin, extra rinse for towels.
- Use a fan + space hangers; flip clothes once while drying.
- Re-wash musty items—don’t mask with fragrance.
- Pre-treat stains and avoid heat.
- Outsource tricky loads during persistent rain.
