Drying Laundry Indoors: Smart Tips to Keep Your Home Fresh and Free from Damp and Mould

Drying laundry outdoors during the cooler months in the UK can be quite challenging. Even if the weather appears dry in the morning, conditions often change by midday, making outdoor drying unreliable. Humidity and unpredictable weather patterns increase the risk of your laundry remaining damp, which can lead to issues such as musty odours or mould growth.

To keep an indoor environment healthy and prevent mould growth on walls and surfaces, it is recommended to use effective indoor drying methods. These include using dehumidifiers, ensuring proper ventilation with extractor fans or open windows, and using drying racks placed in well-ventilated areas. Proper indoor drying not only preserves your clothing but also promotes overall household hygiene, reducing the risk of mould and moisture-related problems.

1. Ensure proper ventilation: ideally, leave windows slightly open to allow fresh air to circulate and moisture to escape. If it's too cold or impractical to open windows, use fans to enhance air movement. This speeds up drying and helps prevent dampness and mould growth.
2. Use a dehumidifier: I run mine almost every day from October onwards, especially when drying kids' clothes, wet laundry, and wellies in front of the raeburn. Investing in a dehumidifier is always worthwhile- this handy device reduces moisture in the air, helping clothes dry faster and preventing mould growth. For best results, place the clothes rack and dehumidifier in the same room.
3. Avoid overcrowding clothes on the drying rack: ensure there is space between items to allow air circulation, which speeds up drying.
4. Select the optimal location in your home: ideally, the warmest and most well-ventilated spot. Avoid areas that are naturally damp, humid or lack good airflow.
5. Think about using a heated clothes rack: essentially just like a regular airer, but with enough space for your clothes to dry. The advantage is that clothes dry faster on a heated rack!
6. Monitor and maintain your home regularly: check cold corners for early signs of mould. If you notice growth, address it promptly by increasing room ventilation and applying Auro mould stop and eliminator Consider using Auro anti-mould paint, which effectively prevents mould growth. It's highly regarded, offers a bright white finish, and is ideal for bathrooms, ceilings, kitchens, and utility rooms where condensation frequently occurs on walls and ceilings.
7. Understand humidity. If you really want to understand what is going on in your rooms regarding humidity, consider getting a portable humidity monitor (Comfort Thermometer). Rooms with a relative humidity level regularly above 60% are at a higher risk of condensation and mould problems. 

By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can enjoy a healthy and cosy home throughout the winter season. If you'd like more advice on implementing these practices, feel free to contact us! With firsthand experience using these products ourselves, we're confident they can make your indoor winter months more comfortable. Stay warm and make the most of the season!