Will humidity from laundry harm my blinds?
It can, depending on the material, how much washing you dry, and how well the room is ventilated. A load of damp clothes releases a lot of moisture into the air. Over time, damp air can affect some blinds more than others. A little occasional drying is unlikely to matter much, while constant drying in a closed room is more likely to cause trouble for blinds and for the room itself.
How indoor drying affects a room
Wet washing gives off moisture as it dries. That moisture needs somewhere to go. In a small room with windows shut, humidity climbs, and cold surfaces such as glass and frames collect condensation. Blinds close to the glass sit right where that moisture lands, so they are often the first thing to show a problem.
Material by material
Real wood
Real wood can react to repeated damp and dry cycles, and depending on finish and conditions, slats may mark, swell or warp. A wooden blind in a room with regular heavy humidity is a higher risk than in a normal living space. See our wooden blinds page.
Faux wood
Faux wood slats do not absorb water as real wood can, which is why they are often suggested for steamy rooms. That does not make them immune. Standing moisture can still mark fittings, and fine mould can grow on dirt that settles on any surface. Their wipeable surface does make them easier to look after. See faux wood blinds.
Roller and fabric blinds
Fabric can hold moisture, and a blind kept against a wet window can mark. Some roller fabrics resist moisture and others do not, so the fabric's care information matters. A blind that stays damp for long periods in a poorly ventilated room can develop spotting or odours.
Pleated, cellular and Roman blinds
Folds and cells hold moisture longer, and they are harder to dry and clean. They suit rooms where humidity is under control better than rooms where washing is regularly dried.
Metal parts
Brackets, screws and headrails can corrode in persistently damp conditions, depending on finish.
Signs that humidity is a problem
- Condensation running down glass or collecting on sills
- Black or green spotting on frames, sills, walls or the blind itself
- A musty smell in the room
- Slats that look swollen or no longer sit flat
- Fabric that is stained or feels damp to touch
Habits that help
- Dry washing where it has air. A room with a window open slightly, or with an extractor fan, is better than a shut room.
- Keep the drying rack away from the window, and not right against the blind.
- Raise or open the blind during the day so air moves around it and the glass can dry.
- Wipe condensation from glass and sills when you see it.
- Close the door of the drying room so moisture does not drift to other rooms, but give that room ventilation.
- Consider a dehumidifier or a vented dryer if you often dry indoors, as a way of managing moisture in general.
- Try to keep washing off a radiator under a window if it keeps the blind permanently damp.
Moisture issues in a home can come from many causes, including drying, cooking, bathing, breathing and building problems. If you see persistent damp or mould on walls, it is worth finding the cause, which is a bigger question than the choice of blind.
If you dry laundry in the room often
Think about a blind that copes with moisture rather than one that is vulnerable to it. In a utility room or a spare bedroom used for drying, a faux wood or a wipeable fabric is generally a safer match than real wood or a soft fabric. See our guide on blinds for bathrooms, as many of the same points apply. You could also tell us how the room is used, so we can suggest a material that suits it.
No need to worry too much
Normal life brings some moisture. An occasional load of washing in a ventilated room is not going to ruin a blind, so there is no need to be anxious about it. It is regular, heavy, closed-room drying that tends to cause problems.
Ask before you choose
If damp air is a feature of your home, tell us at the measure and we'll talk through what suits the room. Book a free measure and mention how you dry washing.
