Warning as drying clothes indoors can cause health hazard - and it could cost thousands to fix

Brits are being warned about the dangers of drying clothes indoors, as this habit could be promoting mould growth in their homes.

The act of hanging damp laundry on an indoor rack releases moisture into the air, which can encourage the development of mould.

During the colder months, it's common for households to dry their washing on radiators or heated racks, but experts at QuoteZone are cautioning that this seemingly harmless practice is actually riskier than many realise, leading to indoor pollution and condensation. Inhaling mould spores can pose serious health risks, such as eye and skin irritation, respiratory infections, nasal congestion and coughs.

While some may avoid using tumble dryers due to high operating costs, the expense of addressing mould once it has taken hold in a home can be much greater. Mould proliferates rapidly and, if left unchecked, can inflict considerable damage to walls and other structures, with removal costs potentially exceeding £3,000, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Despite the difficulties faced during the autumn and winter seasons, the most cost-effective and safest way to dry clothes remains monitoring the weather and hanging them outside on days without rain. Greg Wilson, the savings expert and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, highlighted the issue by saying: "Hanging damp clothes on air dryers, radiators or heated drying racks during autumn and winter months may seem like a logical solution, but many are unaware of the hidden dangers.

"When clothes are air-dried inside, moisture gets trapped in the home, leading to increased humidity which is a breeding ground for mould. Mould spores are hazardous to health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory issues.

"Prolonged exposure to mould can seriously affect the airways and lungs, as well as cause eye and skin irritations. Besides the health hazards, mould can also be very costly to remove and can cause extensive damage to your home's structure, including walls, ceilings and floors - leading to repair costs that can run into the thousands. If people need to make a claim on their home insurance due to mould or damp, the insurer is unlikely to cover them if the property is not well maintained or is damaged due to a lack of care.

"To prevent mould from creating havoc in your home, it's important to be mindful of your drying methods in autumn and winter. Keeping an eye on the weather and using dry days to hang clothes outside is ideal, even in colder months.

"Using an extra spin cycle on your washing machine and investing in a dehumidifier or drying pod can help reduce the moisture inside your home if drying outside is not an option. Ventilation is key, open windows for fresh air and be on the lookout for early warning signs of mould."

Those wanting to dry their clothes effectively could do the following:

Monitor the weather

Keep a close watch on the weather forecast to make the most of dry days. Even on overcast or chilly days, airing your clothes outside for a while before bringing them in can be beneficial.

Hanging them outdoors significantly cuts down the amount of moisture released into your living space, thus reducing the risk of mould.

Start clothes in a tumble dryer

Starting your laundry in a tumble dryer can be helpful. While using a tumble dryer for the entire drying process can be expensive, running your clothes through it for a short cycle can help eliminate most of the moisture.

By starting the clothes in a tumble dryer and finishing them off on a drying rack, you get the speed of the dryer while conserving energy and lessening the need for prolonged indoor air drying. The average vented dryer costs about £1.44 for every cycle it runs, so there's potential to save half that, about 75p per wash if you start clothes in the drier and finish outside, that's a saving of approximately £70 a year.

Extra spin cycle

Before removing your clothes from the washing machine, run an extra spin cycle. This helps remove surplus water, speeding up the drying process and reducing the amount of dampness in your home.

Use a dehumidifier

Using a dehumidifier in the room where you're drying clothes can help absorb moisture from the air, preventing condensation and mould growth. It's an effective way to keep indoor humidity levels under control.

Consider using a drying pod

Drying pods utilise mild heat and regulated air circulation to swiftly dry clothes, all the while keeping the moisture confined within the cover. They also use less energy than tumble dryers, positioning them as a more economical solution for indoor drying.

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