WITH freezing temperatures sweeping across the UK, getting your clothes dry might feel like mission impossible.
Even if you manage it, you may find that your clothes start to develop a musty smell.
However, one savvy cleaning enthusiast, who doesn’t own a tumble dryer, has discovered the perfect trick for drying your clothes this winter.
Caroline, who is known as ‘carolineonline21’ on TikTok, has revealed her “tips for drying your clothes in winter if you don’t have a dryer.”
Talking to camera, the mum explained how she discovered an essential two-step method to get clothes dry inside and how to prevent condensation too.
First off, she explained that she uses three different products when cleaning clothes to avoid the musty smell.
These include the Unstoppable Lenore scent booster, currently available at a discounted price of £5 from Ocado; Surf tropical three-in-one tablets, costing £1.29 from Waitrose; and her final secret, the Ecover fabric softener in the five-litre container.
She says: “This is my combination for making my clothes smell nice and not have that horrible musty smell you get from drying clothes indoors.”
Caroline then explains how to help get clothes dry indoors during the colder months.
She says: “If, like me, you dry your clothes inside and you want them to smell nice, my tip is to do small loads on a regular basis.
“Try to take advantage of the few dry days we have in the UK to dry your clothes outside.
“If you dry your clothes indoors, make sure you find a room where you can put all your clothes and keep the windows open for as long as you can throughout the day to get rid of the condensation.
“Otherwise, you’ll have black mould inside your house.
“Also, I see a lot of people not allowing enough air between their clothes when drying them.”
She then shows the camera the air space she has allowed between her clothes on the dryer.
Caroline continues: “You need to allow some airflow through your clothes so that they dry quicker.”
Many cleaning fans rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “good tips..I don’t like most fabric softeners as they are too perfumey and heady. Is that eco one lighter in scent?”
To which Caroline replied: “The scent of it is quite strong but it’s very pleasant to me.”
Another added: “True winter is a mess.
“I have clothes on heaters, doors, chairs nearly everywhere because I have boys so there are clothes to wash every day.”
And a third simply said: “Very useful information. Thank you so much.”
Drying rack or airer
Load up your airer with wet washing and place near a heat source – like a radiator or direct sunlight – to help distribute air around your clothes.
Dehumidifier
Plug in a dehumidifier in a room with clothes hanging to dry quickly and prevent dampness and mould. Many now have a laundry setting.
Tumble dryer
A tumble dryer can heat moisture out of wet washing, saving time and can be used in any weather.
Heated airer
Many brands and shops now sell heated airers for as little as £30. The racks heat through electricity and can speed up drying time.
Open a window
Choose a spare room or unused room for keeping your washing and crack open a window, but close the door behind you.
Using curtain poles
Hang wet washing on radiators then hook them onto curtain poles with radiators below. The heat will rise and dry the items. Alternatively, if you have a shower curtain pole, hang your clothes in the bathroom with a window open.
