I'm an air expert – five ways to prevent mould when drying clothes indoors & why rugs are essential | The Sun

AN EXPERT has revealed how to prevent mould when drying your wet clothes indoors – and turns out, rugs make a huge difference.

As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, leading to rising inflation and soaring energy bills that are likely to stay high for years, households all across the nation are looking for ways to spend less wherever possible.

The skyrocketing costs have also forced Brits to figure out how to dry laundry without switching on the heating or using the tumble dryer.

However, whilst these measures might save you money, an expert has claimed drying laundry indoors comes with its own damp and health implications.

Speaking to The Express, Chris Michael, Managing Director of Meaco, the UK’s leading air purification specialist, said: “When it comes to drying washing, it’s natural that people will hang wet washing on clothes racks to dry indoors instead of using tumble dryers, which are one of the most energy-intensive devices in the home.

“This will be fine at first, but over the coming weeks the wet washing will take longer and longer to dry as we start to close our windows to keep precious heat in and the moisture content in the air increases from the clothes that we have been drying over time.

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“This build-up of moisture will mean that a load of washing that might have taken a few hours to dry in September will take a couple of days in October, and up to four or five days in November and December.

“This is not only frustrating, but it is also introducing a hidden menace to the home: damp.

''Extra moisture in the air is not visible but it will be there – the damp from the clothes must go somewhere – and in time, problems such as mould growth, condensation and musty smells will become apparent, causing damage to wallpaper, carpets, furniture and windowsills.”

If there is damp and mould present in the property, it can also contribute towards a range of respiratory problems, for example, as asthma.

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So how can you make your washing dry whilst also ensuring there is no mould forming on the walls?

According to the whizz, there are five tips to incorporate in your routine.

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Reduce moisture vapour

Sharing his expertise, Chris explained that many everyday tasks create moisture, the majority of which we don't even notice.

“By putting lids on saucepans when boiling or steaming vegetables and using an extractor fan briefly or opening a window when using the bath or shower, homeowners can reduce moisture vapour in the air.”

Making air drying indoors efficient

Chris said: “Drying clothes inside is gentler on fabrics than tossing and tumbling in a dryer and prevents static cling. 

''Before you take them out of the washing machine use a rinse cycle to keep the amount of water left in the clothes to a minimum.

“Place a drying rack away from walls to prevent the moisture from being trapped.

''Hang items individually and with as much space in between them as possible so they will dry more quickly.

''Open windows to enable airflow.”

Warm up your house without central heating

This can be achieved by making the most of any natural sunlight shining into the property, which will warm houses up and dry out any damp air.

Chris added: “Using rugs and mats on wooden and stone floors can make rooms feel warmer too.”

Simple changes inside and outside the home

According to the guru, encouraging air flow is key to reduce the risk of damp and mould appearing in the room.

Chris explained that this includes opening doors of built-in wardrobes that sit on outside walls and trying to keep furniture, clothes and shoes from touching outside walls.

“Keeping gutters clear also decreases the amount of water that may spill down external walls, which could contribute to moisture in the home.”

Consider investing in an energy efficient dehumidifier

''While all the above can help dry clothes indoors, the only way to fully remove moisture without opening windows and turning the heating right up is to use a dehumidifier, and there are ways to manage this extra cost too.

“Dehumidifiers reduce the level of humidity by sucking in air from the room, removing the moisture, and then blowing the warm, dry air back out into the room again.

''This can help to remove the ‘damp chill’ factor in the air, so the central heating could run at a lower temperature or even be switched off.

“Dehumidifiers are effective at drying washing indoors and use considerably less electricity than tumble dryers.

''They can cost as little as 8p per hour to run.

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''Look for dehumidifiers that have a dedicated laundry mode where the machine runs up to six hours before switching itself off to save energy.

“For further energy savings, look for models which use a humidistat, which means the dehumidifier switches itself off when the target humidity is reached, only switching on again if it detects an increase in humidity.”

Cleaning hacks and tips

Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:

• How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
• Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
•  Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
• How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
• Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
• You're cleaning your carpet all wrong – here's how to get it spotless again in no time
• Unblock a toilet without a plunger
• Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
• If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
• Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
• This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
• Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
• Give your TV screen a once-over
• Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
• Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps

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