Trying to get laundry dry can be challenging in the winter. It forces most households across the UK to turn living rooms and bedrooms into makeshift ‘drying rooms’ with laundry draped over every available surface.
However, if you’re in one of these households, there is one place you should never dry your laundry. While most people already know it’s unwise to dry laundry over radiators as it reduces their efficacy and increases the chances of mould, experts are warning people of another laundry mistake. According to Leanna Spektor, co-founder of Brand House Direct, an online retailer specialising in footwear, apparel and accessories, there’s one spot you should never use when drying clothes indoors.
She said: “Positioning damp laundry against or even near an exterior wall traps moisture against the coldest surface in your home.
“This creates the perfect conditions for condensation, damp patches, and accelerated mould growth that people typically don’t notice until it becomes a serious problem.”
This causes issues because exterior walls become significantly colder than interior walls in the winter. If damp laundry sits pressed against or even too close to them, it creates the “perfect” environment for condensation to build.
Leanna said: “The problem is that this moisture doesn’t simply evaporate.”
“It seeps into the wall surface, creating damp patches that often go unnoticed because they’re hidden behind the drying rack, furniture, or in corners people rarely check.
“I’ve seen cases where people only discovered the extent of the damage when they moved furniture or took down a picture frame.
“By that point, the mould has spread significantly, and the repair costs are substantial.”
Wet laundry against walls can also cause paint to peel, plaster to crumble and other expensive repairs.
If you need to dry laundry inside, there are some ways you can combat the growth of mould.
Try to place your laundry near an interior wall, as these are warmer than exteriors, so your laundry will dry faster. Make sure there is enough space around your clothing so that moisture can evaporate.
