The 12p buy which stops your clothes smelling all musty when drying them inside, even when you’ve got bad damp at home
DRYING clothes in winter can be quite a challenge.
The cold, damp weather means that laundry takes much longer to dry, and finding space indoors can be difficult.
Without the warmth of summer sun and breeze, clothes can remain damp and musty, making the task of drying them a frustrating and time-consuming process.
And now that winter is approaching and we are deep into autumn, many people are struggling with exactly this.
An additional problem with this could be that clothes begin to develop a musty smell.
One mum even took to online forum Mumsnet to express her difficulty when it came to drying her clothes.
The anonymous woman wrote: “Is it possible to get the musty smell out of clothes?!
“This is from them taking too long to dry during the winter on the airier and now certain items have kept the damp smell even after being washed again multiple times, line dried in the wind etc.
“Any tips or tricks for this or general washing tips for a non-tumble drying house really appreciated.”
And one person suggested: “Try the laundry sanitiser in the fabric softener slot.
“Wash with bio powder.”
We previously revealed another simple trick that can help speed up the process without costing you a penny.
A user on the Facebook group Cleaning Tips and Tricks asked for advice on drying clothes without a tumble dryer.
“How does everyone dry their washing in the winter?” she wrote.
“It just isn’t drying in my house.”
In the comments, fellow Facebook users shared their best hacks. Several recommended making the most of heat sources in the home.
One person suggested spinning clothes on a high setting and then hanging them on a door frame or near a window.
“Heat rises from radiators and heaters,” they noted.
Another tip was to avoid placing clothes directly on radiators, as this makes them work harder and can increase your energy bills.
Instead, use the surrounding warmth to help dry your laundry more efficiently.
How to dry wet washing inside, in winter
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.