DRYING our clothes indoors in the winter can be tough – the colder temperatures and fewer options make it that little bit harder.
For most of us, the best option can be pulling our damp clothes straight from the washing machine and onto our warm radiators or clothes airers.
While it can be quicker to use radiators to dry our clothes, this can lead to the build-up of mildew, which in turn can cause mould.
And not only can it become difficult to get rid of, but mould can be dangerous to our health if it’s left untreated.
This is why most of us opt to pull out the clothes airer in the winter months.
But when the house is colder and with so much washing to go through, sometimes it feels like it can take a long time before our clothes are completely dry.
Luckily, one laundry expert has revealed how we can dry our washing quickly using the clothes airer with their handy hack.
Expert Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, said a quick-drying process is all about encouraging airflow.
We can all fall guilty of packing our clothes airers with as many items as possible when the washings pile up.
But Deyan explains that this could be part of the reason why it takes so long for the laundry to dry.
They also revealed that where the clothes airer is located in a room could also impact how long it can take clothes to dry.
Deyan told how keeping the airer, or drying rack, close to the walls could be hindering the process.
They said: “To dry clothes quickly and thoroughly, ensure there’s plenty of space between each item on your drying rack or clothesline.
“This applies if you’re using hangers, too.
“Leaving space may seem less efficient, but it enhances airflow, which speeds up the drying process.
“During winter, be mindful of where you place your drying rack.
“Hang clothes well away from walls to allow air to circulate around them as they dry.
“This will help prevent moisture from becoming trapped in both your clothing and the walls.”
SARAH and Kimberly have shared their top five tips for air drying your clothes.
1. Invest in a good clothes airer
“The best way to dry your clothes quickly in the home is using a good quality clothes airer.
“During the winter, heated clothes airers are a great option, especially for homes that tend to remain quite cold.
“It’s best to place your clothes airer in a low-traffic room and ensure there is plenty of ventilation to prevent damp.
“Wall-mounted drying racks are great options as they don’t take up any floor space and can be folded away.
“A retractable clothesline is another option that may work well, as this can be pulled back and put away when it’s not in use.”
2. Use an extra spin
“Give your laundry an extra spin at the end of the cycle to extract some of the surplus dampness and water.
“When you remove the washing from the machine, give it a good shake for the best aeration.
“This will help your clothes dry much more quickly.”
3. Hang delicate items
“You should hang delicate items such as shirts and camisoles on coat hangers off the drying rack.
This will allow more clothes to dry at once and will allow these items to dry as crease-free as possible.
“Once they are fully dry, you can then put them straight into your wardrobe, making washing easier and more convenient.”
4. Hang clothes immediately
“You should avoid leaving your clothes in the laundry basket or washing machine.
“This can cause them to smell and may result in mould growth. Instead, you should hang your clothes on a clothes airer as soon as the cycle is finished.”
5. Hang outside
“During the summer months, the best way to dry your clothes is on a clothesline in the garden.
“If this isn’t possible, you can place a clothes airer outside to help your clothes dry quicker and to prevent too much moisture from building up in your home.”
