With sub-zero temperatures outside, there’s little to no option for many people to use their radiators to dry their clothes. But it comes with a warning.
Drying clothes in winter can become a chore in itself. Tumble dryers are expensive to run, airers carry the risk of clothes smelling damp, and radiators only do the job when the heating is turned on. There’s still a good two months yet until brighter skies, hotter temperatures and the reintroduction of the outside washing line.
But one expert has placed a warning around putting wet clothes directly onto warm or hot radiators to speed up the drying process. In a quote to Ideal Home, Mark Carter, the director of Shutterstore UK, said: “By placing clothes on your radiator you are blocking the heat from coming out of the radiator and circulating around the room properly.” He said this method sees heat trapped underneath, with heating systems using more energy to do their job, and not heating rooms efficiently.
With the coldest night of the year poised, and temperatures set to dwindle to -16C in the Scottish Highlands and across high ground in northern England, people will be forced to switch their heating on. Energy prices continue to be a sticking point for many, but, according to the Met Office and the UKHSA, homes should be heated to 18C. This is especially important for those aged 65 and over with health conditions.
UK Radiators backs Mr Carter’s statement and says it’s not a good idea to dry clothes on radiators for a number of other reasons. It said: “While it may seem like a good idea, drying your clothes on a radiator can cause significant health concerns. One of the primary issues behind this is the increased risk of mould and mildew growth. As clothes release moisture into the air, the excess moisture can accumulate in your home, creating a damp and humid atmosphere.”
Excessive moisture, it says, provides a breeding ground for mould spores to thrive. This can be problematic for people suffering with allergies, or asthmatics. Mould can also be especially hard to keep on top of in the winter months, as it can thrive in warm, moist and poorly ventilated environments such as bathrooms. Due to the cold weather outside, people refrain from opening windows after a shower, for example, leading to a build-up.
The radiator company recommends using a heated towel rail to dry a few pieces of clothing, or a clothes drying rack in the open air. This means you can have the heating on, warm the room up, and get your clothes dried in a timely manner.