Why You Should Hang Clothes Upside Down in Cold Weather — Top Japanese Experts Explain

During the cold season, hanging clothes the usual way can sometimes be harmful to your health.

Long winters make thick clothing like sweatshirts, hoodies, and padded jackets extremely slow to dry. They often stay damp for days and develop a musty smell. Many people avoid doing laundry altogether, choosing to rewear old clothes rather than deal with endlessly damp laundry. Others end up wearing clothes that are still slightly wet simply because they have nothing else to wear.

However, wearing damp clothing can negatively affect your body, depending on individual health and circumstances. This is not superstition—it has clear physiological and microbiological explanations.

First, increased risk of skin irritation and contact dermatitis.
When clothes remain damp, fabric fibers can harbor bacteria, mold, and leftover detergent residue that wasn’t fully rinsed out. When worn directly against the skin—especially in sensitive areas like the groin, armpits, or back—this can cause itching, redness, rashes, dermatitis, or even fungal infections. Children, people with sensitive skin, allergies, or existing skin conditions are especially vulnerable.

Second, higher risk of fungal infections, particularly in intimate areas.
Moist environments are ideal for the growth of Candida and other microorganisms. For women, wearing damp underwear or tight-fitting pants can increase the risk of vaginal infections. For men, prolonged moisture in the groin area can lead to chafing, jock itch, fungal infections, and persistent itching.

Third, increased susceptibility to cold and temporary immune suppression.
Damp clothing causes body heat to escape more quickly, especially in winter. Elderly people, children, or those with weaker immune systems may experience chills, fatigue, and become more prone to colds, headaches, or muscle pain after wearing wet clothes for extended periods.

Fourth, musty odors signal bacterial growth.
That “damp” or “stale” smell means microorganisms are actively multiplying. Even if it doesn’t cause immediate illness, repeated exposure is not good for the skin or respiratory system—particularly for people with allergic rhinitis or asthma.

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Hanging Clothes Upside Down: A Simple Solution

The solution is to change how you dry your clothes in winter. According to Japan’s Kao Corporation, the main reason thick clothes take so long to dry isn’t temperature—it’s how they’re hung.

When clothes are hung normally, areas that retain the most moisture—such as armpits, hoods, backs, and the inner sleeves—are often folded inward and poorly exposed to air. This traps moisture, slowing evaporation and causing odors.

Kao recommends upside-down drying, humorously called the “victory pose” method. It’s simple:
For thick jackets, hoodies, or sweatshirts, turn the garment inside out and upside down. Use clips to secure the hem or sides, letting the hood and sleeves hang freely downward. This flips the thick, moisture-prone areas outward, fully exposing them to airflow and allowing water to evaporate much faster.

Many people in Japan who’ve tried this method report significantly shorter drying times and almost no musty smell—even during long stretches of cold, rainy weather.

Important note: This method isn’t suitable for all clothing. It works best for sweatshirts, hoodies, thick jackets, denim, and lightweight padded coats. Knitwear, wool, and elastic fabrics should not be hung upside down with clips, as the weight of the water can stretch and deform the garment. These items are better dried flat or on specialized drying nets.

For best results, dry clothes in a well-ventilated area and use a fan or dehumidifier indoors. With just one small change in how you hang your laundry, winter no longer has to be a nightmare for thick clothes.