A lot of people dry their freshly washed clothes inside.
But experts warn that the price of this little convenience could expose you and your family to a deadly asthma attack.
It’s worse when you place wet clothes in front of a radiator. This will raise the level of humidity that will provide a perfect environment for mold spores to grow and spread around the house.
Chris Michael, Director at leading UK air purifier specialist Meaco, explained: “With the onset of colder wetter weather, clothes must be dried indoors, and if there is no tumble drier then a clothes horse or draping over a radiator is the only option.
“This is particularly true for smaller properties, like flats, with no access to the outside.
“Clothes dry by releasing moisture into dry air.
“At the end of summer, the relative humidity of the air increases as the temperature drops.
“With windows kept shut, moisture inside a property is added to by everyday activities such as showering, cooking, and breathing.
“Cold damp air means washing will take longer to dry, plus the moisture from wet laundry will further raise humidity levels.
“Signs of high moisture levels in a property can be condensation on windows and the growth of mold, damp on walls and adjacent soft furnishings.
“Mold releases mold spores (seeds) to spread around a home causing allergic reactions to some when inhaled.”
According to Asthma UK, 42 percent of asthma sufferers said that asthma attacks can be triggered by fungi and mold with babies and children and elderly people being particularly susceptible. Those with skin problems and weakened immune systems are also vulnerable.
Molds can be colored black, white, blue, yellow, or green and usually have a stale or musty smell. They also look fuzzy, velvety, or rough.
Damp or musty conditions produce mold and can commonly be found in flooring, wallpaper, on window frames, and behind wall tiles.
Chris added that dust mites also like high humidity. When inhaled, their droppings can cause an allergic reaction.
Fortunately, there’s a simple way to mitigate the risk if you have no choice but to dry your clothes indoors: keep the house properly ventilated.
Opening your front and back doors for 15 minutes each day will allow fresh air to replace stale indoor air. It may not be so comfortable if it’s snowing outside but those 15 minutes are worth the health of your family.
Alternatively, a dehumidifier can also counteract the effects of high humidity if you have the budget for it.
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