Laundry poses a nightmare as the UK heads closer to winter as drying clothes outside suddenly becomes a no-go.
While those who’ve got a tumble dryer can dodge the hassle, this isn’t an option for everyone, particularly for those on a budget or who don’t have the space.
That’s left quite a few turning to indoor drying – a move that In the Wash cleaning guru Laurence Smith cautions against unless done right, to avoid mould taking over your clothes and home.
He warned: “Drying clothes indoors is not ideal because wet clothes release damp into the air which can lead to mould growth. However, it’s not unsafe to do so as long as your home is well-ventilated. Luckily, you can take steps to reduce the moisture in the air.”
He’s adamant that airing clothes inside ought not to stretch beyond 24 hours lest you fancy musty-smelling tops or a douse of mould.
Laurence issued a stark warning: “Avoid drying laundry in the bathroom as it’s already a damp space and you don’t want to add more humidity to the air. Plus, clothes will take longer to dry in an already-damp room.
“If you have a dedicated laundry room, a spare room or a garage, this is the best place to dry your clothes.
“Use a drying rack and place it in a room that you use infrequently, such as a laundry room, spare room or even dining room.
“This means that you won’t be exposed to damp as your clothes dry and you can close the door, to keep in the heat in or encourage airflow by keeping a window open.”
For those with a tight living space, the only option might be to dry garments in communal areas. If that’s the case, Laurence advises positioning the drying rack near a heat source for quicker drying and, if feasible, keeping doors shut to contain moisture.
The expert also cautioned against draping wet laundry on radiators, explaining: “Don’t place wet items directly on a radiator as this will encourage water to evaporate into the air leading to a humid room.”
He recommended investing in a ceiling-mounted drying rack to save on floor space and keep it out of sight when not in use.
And for those eager to cut down the time their laundry lingers out to dry, he shared several savvy tips to speed up the drying process. Firstly, it is worth putting your laundry on a spin cycle as it helps shake off a good deal of moisture at the end of the washing cycle.
ALso, using a dehumidifier while drying garments indoors will “speed up the drying process”. Dehumidifiers are primarily designed to cut down air humidity, commonly used to combat damp and prevent issues like mould.
But what might come as a surprise is their knack for speeding up laundry drying times, making them a savvy alternative to tumble dryers for some.
Many models boast a special laundry setting, ramping up airflow and maintaining high power without auto-shutoff, specifically to whisk away moisture from your clothes faster. For optimal results, it’s best to place a dehumidifier close to or directly under the clothes horse/drying rack in a confined space.
