One of the biggest cleaning bugbears is working out how to dry clothes quickly and with ease. While putting their items on radiators may seem like an efficient method for many, an expert has revealed that you're doing more harm than good.
Warning against sticking your wet washing on a radiator, the pro says it can cause condensation - an issue many households have been battling during the cold weather. Unfortunately, this could lead to mould growing in your abode, the Express reports.
Interiors Expert Owen Whitlock at Beanbags.co.uk said: "While hanging wet clothes over your radiators will dry them, this could cause excess condensation in your home."
He went on: "This will lead to mould which can create all kinds of damage including staining paintwork, not to mention the allergens that mould can produce.
"As well as this it could increase the cost of your heating bill. Hanging clothes over the top of your radiator will prevent it from heating your house, which means the boiler will need to work harder than it needs to, therefore increasing its running costs."
Sharing an alternative method, the expert advises that people should wash their clothes early to take advantage of any sunlight.
With warmer days on the horizon, Brits are encouraged to put their washing on in the morning to optimise the sunlight during the day as it'll help them dry faster.
The expert said: "Of course, don't put your clothes outside on the washing line when it is cold. However, you can place your clothes airer in a pot inside your home where natural light is projecting onto them to help your clothes dry quicker."
He then advised that while people may not realise it, they should turn their clothes while they're hanging on the airer.
Owen has noted that people not moving items while they're drying is a common 'mistake' in households.
Rotating them every couple of hours can help them to dry evenly and quicker as well as prevent any smells from building up.
In addition to this, they should consider drying their clothes directly on hangers.
The expert said: "Leaving your clothes to dry on a hanger will result in them having fewer creases reducing the need to use the iron on them.
"This is a great hack for school jumpers and trousers saving you both time and money on ironing."
If you ever find that your clothing is filled with unwanted smells then you should consider putting lavender oil in your fabric condition to combat the stench.
Adding lavender oil will help neutralise any damp smells, Owen advises.
On the other hand, white vinegar is a good alternative. The expert continued: "If you don't have lavender oil, you can try adding a cup of vinegar to your laundry routine instead.
"Simply pour it into the fabric softener compartment, this should soak up any unwanted odours during the wash."
Lastly, the expert advises people to wash fewer clothes per load. While it's tempting to fill the machine to the brim, it can do more harm than good.
It often means that certain items may not be cleaned properly as there are too many clothing items.
Owen noted: "If your clothes airer is overcrowded the clothes will take longer to dry which can result in them smelling damp and musty. To get rid of this smell you may end up having to wash them again.
"Not only this but having too many clothes in your washing load will result in the clothes being damper when they come out of the washing machine.
"Instead washing fewer clothes per load will allow for more space in your washing machine and your airer so they will dry quicker and avoid having a damp smell to them."
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