Warning: Drying clothes inside can pose serious health risks

Brits are being warned about the potential health risks of drying clothes indoors as temperatures begin to drop. 

Home insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk are urging homeowners to avoid hanging their laundry inside to dry as it can lead to mould issues in the house. 

This comes after research revealed over two million Brits are struggling with significant mould or damp in their homes, costing the NHS an estimated £1.4 billion per year to treat mould-related illnesses.*

Hanging damp clothes on a drying rack inside the home releases moisture into the air which promotes mould growth.

Drying laundry on radiators or heated racks is also a common practice for many households in the colder months. 

The experts warn this common mistake is even riskier as it creates indoor pollution and triggers condensation. 

Inhaling mould spores poses serious health risks, including eye and skin irritations, respiratory infections, nasal congestions and coughs.** 

While some households are reluctant to use a tumble dryer because of its high running costs, it can be much more expensive to tackle mould once it’s started germinating in the house.

Mould spreads rapidly and if left unchecked, it can cause extensive damage to walls and other structures, with mould removal costs potentially reaching over £3,000.*** 

While it may be challenging during autumn and winter, the cheapest and safest method to dry clothes is to monitor the weather and hang them outside on days when it’s not raining. 

Other ways to reduce moisture indoors while drying clothes include running the washing machine on an extra spin cycle and using dehumidifiers or drying pods.

Greg Wilson, savings expert and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk, said: “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.”

Quotezone.co.uk’s tips for tackling mould:

1.Monitor the weather

Keep an eye on the weather forecast to take advantage of dry days. Even on cloudy or cold days, hanging clothes outside for some time before bringing them inside can still be beneficial. Hanging them outside significantly reduces the amount of moisture released into your living space, minimising the risk of mould. 

2.Start clothes in a tumble dryer 

While using a tumble dryer for the entire drying process can be costly, running your clothes through it for a short cycle can help remove most of the moisture. By starting the clothes in a tumble dryer and finishing them off on a drying rack, you benefit from the speed of the dryer while saving energy and reducing 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.****

3.Extra spin cycle

Before taking your clothes out of the washing machine, run an additional spin cycle. This helps extract excess water, making the drying process faster and reducing the amount of dampness in your home.

4.Use a dehumidifier 

Placing 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.

5.Use a drying pod

Drying pods use gentle heat and controlled air circulation to dry clothes quickly, while keeping the moisture contained inside the cover. They also consume less energy than tumble dryers, making them a more cost-effective solution for indoor drying.

Quotezone.co.uk helps millions of households every year find savings on everything from energy bills to home and contents insurance. 

References:
*https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9696/
**https://research.ukhsa.gov.uk/our-research/damp-and-mould/
***https://www.airtasker.com/uk/costs/mould-removal/how-much-does-mould-removal-cost/
**** https://www.hoover-home.com/en_GB/blog/what-is-the-cost-of-running-a-tumble-dryer/; https://www.idealhome.co.uk/property-advice/how-much-does-it-cost-to-run-a-tumble-dryer-295558