26 October 2023 , 13:19
594
0
Gone are the days of hanging the washing outside. The cold weather is here and people are looking for ways to stay on top of their laundry without having to use the tumble dryer - and therefore avoid higher household bills this winter.
One of the most popular methods at the moment is the use of heated dryers, or standard drying racks. They are far more cost-effective than using a tumble dryer, although they can take considerable time to get the job done. But if you do use a rack, heated or otherwise, there's something you need to do to prevent condensation, which can lead to black mould.
It's no secret that condensation can cause health problems, along with damage to paint, plaster and woodwork. More seriously, persistent damp indoors can be a breeding ground for the toxic black mould, stachybotrys chartarum. Left untreated, it will also start to undermine the surface on which it has formed. From a health perspective, it produces mycotoxins which have been directly linked to respiratory problems and much more.
The only sure-fire way of stopping condensation is to remove all the moisture out of the room, preferably by ventilation. You can do this if you have air conditioning or a dehumidifier but generally, it means opening your windows and letting the cold in.
As such, it's important to keep your washing in a room with the window open and the door closed to ensure ventilation. Similarly, you need to always open a window after using the shower or bath and leave it open for at least 10 minutes with the door closed to vent any excess moisture. And when it comes to cooking, use an extractor fan, put lids on your saucepans, and open a window or door to help excess steam escape.
Cleaning guru shares why you shouldn't make your bed first thing in the morning
Adam Pawson, property expert at , said: "If your home is suffering from condensation, dampness or mould, the best thing you can do is to try and improve the ventilation inside. Try to regularly open windows to allow air to move freely and let moist air escape from the property. Ventilation systems such as extractor fans can also massively help to reduce the condensation in your home."
Other helpful ways to reduce humidity in your home can include moving houseplants to less humid areas of the house or getting rid of them altogether, and upgrading your bathroom and kitchen extractor fans so they are more efficient.