When the rain sets in and the laundry starts piling up, drying clothes indoors becomes a familiar frustration.
Without a tumble dryer, it can quickly feel like every spare surface in your home becomes fair game—chairs, door handles, even the backs of doors.
And let’s face it, weaving through hanging socks on your way to the kettle doesn’t exactly scream ‘cosy home’.
But what if there was a forgotten space in your house that could make the job faster, tidier and less stressful? It’s been right in front of us all along—just not where you might expect.
Why the banister works wonders
This clever idea was recently revived by a practical home organiser via social media, and it’s quickly gaining traction.
The trick is simple: hook a specially designed clothes airer over the banister at the top of your staircase.
Not only does this keep wet washing tucked out of the way, but it also takes advantage of rising heat and better airflow—helping your clothes dry faster, with less of that musty smell.
Worried about where to find the right airer? There’s no need.
While the original post came from the United Kingdom, similar options are available in Australia.
Bunnings, for example, stocks the Boxsweden stainless steel extendable clothes airer for under $10—a small investment for a big improvement in drying time.
What makes the banister so effective?
- Airflow: Open spaces at the top of staircases allow air to circulate freely around your clothes, helping moisture evaporate faster.
- Heat rises: If you’ve got the heater running downstairs, that warm air naturally drifts upward—creating a perfect little drying zone.
- Out of the way: No more ducking under wet jeans in the living room or giving up your dining chairs to the laundry.
Don’t have stairs? No worries!
Of course, this tip works best if you live in a two-storey home. But for those in a single-level house or unit, there are still smart ways to optimise your drying space.
Over-the-door airers are a fantastic substitute, giving you extra room without disrupting your everyday living areas.
Video Credit: @homein45 / TikTok
Other tried-and-true tips for indoor drying
- Use the spin cycle: Run an extra spin at the end of the wash—especially for towels or heavy items. The drier your clothes go in, the faster they come out.
- Smaller loads: Try to wash only what’s necessary during wet weather. Less laundry means less clutter and quicker drying times.
- Spread it out: Hang clothes with plenty of space between them to encourage airflow.
- Use dehumidifiers or heaters: If you have a dehumidifier, place it in the room where you’re drying your clothes. It will help reduce moisture and cut down drying time.
- Pick the best room: Ideally, choose a spot with good ventilation or where the heating is already on.
A word on damp and mould
One common concern with drying indoors is the risk of damp or mould. If you’re noticing condensation on windows or a stale smell in the air, it’s time to increase ventilation.
Try cracking a window or turning on an exhaust fan where possible. And remember, the quicker your clothes dry, the less chance mould has to grow.
Drying laundry indoors doesn’t have to be a chore or a hazard. With a few smart adjustments, rainy days can be just a little more manageable.
Have you found a clever drying trick that works wonders in your home? Or do you have a go-to method that keeps things fresh and tidy through the wet season?
We’d love to hear your tips—share them in the comments below and help others stay warm, dry and organised.
Also read: Say goodbye to damp clothes: Winter drying tips that work
What bannister? I have a single level (1 small step to the patio, and 1 small step into/out of the front door) 2 bedroom unit with absolutely no space to hang anything (there’s no storage shed, so I have to use one of my bedrooms as my storage space, which doubles up as my ‘office’). Not everyone can climb/descend stairs!