Easiest way to dry clothing indoors as cold weather continues - avoid airer ‘mistake'

Easiest methods to dry clothing indoors as cold weather continues

The cheapest and easiest way to dry clothing is outside on a washing line or clothes airer where the sun can dry items in a matter of hours. The sun can also help to brighten whites and clothes generally smell fresher when dried outside. However, with warm weather still a while away, the ongoing struggle to dry clothes indoors continues. An expert has shared why Britons shouldn’t dry laundry on radiators, and the best solutions to wet laundry.

Owen Whitlock, interiors expert at Beanbags.co.uk, said: “While hanging wet clothes over your radiators will dry them, this could cause excess condensation in your home.

“This will lead to mould which can create all kinds of damage including staining paintwork, not to mention the allergens that mould can produce.

“As well as this it could increase the cost of your heating bill. Hanging clothes over the top of your radiator will prevent it from heating your house, which means the boiler will need to work harder than it needs to, therefore increasing its running costs.”

1. Wash your clothes early to take advantage of any sunlight

With Britons now enjoying slightly longer days, instead of washing clothing in the evening, try to do it in the morning if possible.

Easiest way to dry clothing indoors as cold weather continues – avoid airer ‘mistake’

This will help them to dry as you’ll be able to take advantage of any sunlight during the day to dry clothing.

The expert said: “Of course, don’t put your clothes outside on the washing line when it is cold. However, you can place your clothes airer in a pot inside your home where natural light is projecting onto them to help your clothes dry quicker.”

2. Always turn your clothes when they’re hanging on the airer

Many people make the common “mistake” of hanging their washing to dry over an airer and not moving them until they are dry.

However, rotating them every couple of hours can help them to dry evenly and quicker as well as prevent any smells building up.

3. Dry clothes directly on hangers

The expert said: “Leaving your clothes to dry on a hanger will result in them having fewer creases reducing the need to use the iron on them.

“This is a great hack for school jumpers and trousers saving you both time and money on ironing.”

4. Put lavender oil in fabric conditioner to help combat any unwanted smells

Adding a few drops of lavender oil to fabric conditioner or laundry detergent will help to neutralise any damp smells, according to the expert.

White vinegar and baking soda can also help to prevent any mildew scents growing on the wet laundry.

Make sure not to overload the washing machine as this means more clothing on the airer

5. Use white vinegar

The expert continued: “If you don’t have lavender oil, you can try adding a cup of vinegar to your laundry routine instead.

“Simply pour it into the fabric softener compartment, this should soak up any unwanted odours during the wash.”

What’s more, white vinegar can help to make items such as towels fluffy and help to restore any stained clothing.

6. Wash fewer clothes per load

It can be tempting to fill the washing machine to the brim in order to get away with doing less loads.

White vinegar can help prevent clothes smelling when drying indoors

While this can mean certain items are not cleaned properly, it can also mean there will be too many clothing items on the airer.

Owen noted: “If your clothes airer is overcrowded the clothes will take longer to dry which can result in them smelling damp and musty. To get rid of this smell you may end up having to wash them again.

“Not only this but having too many clothes in your washing load will result in the clothes being damper when they come out of the washing machine.

“Instead washing fewer clothes per load will allow for more space in your washing machine and your airer so they will dry quicker and avoid having a damp smell to them.”