Drying socks on radiators, a common habit in many UK households, is being exposed as a costly mistake for your energy bills. A prominent home cleaning expert has stepped in with a remarkably simple and affordable alternative that promises significant savings.
The Queen of Clean's Simple Solution
Lynsey Crombie, a regular on ITV's This Morning and Good Morning Britain known as the 'Queen of Clean', has shared what she describes as a 'simple and effective' sock-drying hack. In a recent TikTok video, she demonstrated her technique, which requires only two common household items.
'Grab a coat hanger and a handful of pegs, clip your socks on and hang them up perfect for drying indoors and outdoors,' Lynsey encouraged her followers. She championed the method as being not only effective but also 'super cheap!' In her demonstration, she efficiently hung four pairs of socks from a single hanger, which she then suspended from her shower frame.
Why Radiator Drying is a Costly Error
This advice comes with a stark warning from consumer experts. A specialist from Which? strongly advises against the practice of drying any clothes on radiators. The expert explained the science behind the problem in a video.
Radiators are designed to circulate warm air until a room reaches its thermostat temperature, at which point the boiler switches off. However, cold, wet clothing acts as a 'barrier' to this heat. This forces your heating system to work for a much longer period to achieve the desired room temperature.
'While you might end up with dry clothes, you'll also end up with a colder home and bigger energy bills - and maybe even mould,' the Which? expert warned. The persistent dampness created can lead to mould growth, posing a risk to both your property and your health.
Effective and Safer Drying Alternatives
For those looking to dry clothes indoors efficiently, the Which? expert offered practical alternatives. The primary recommendation is to 'place your clothes on an airer near the radiator'. While this method might take slightly longer, it allows air to circulate properly around the room, preventing the issues caused by covering the heat source directly.
For faster results, the expert suggested 'investing in an electric heated airer' to accelerate the drying process, noting they work best with smaller loads. Of course, using a tumble dryer remains another option, though it is typically the most energy-intensive.
Lynsey Crombie's coat hanger method aligns perfectly with this advice, providing a free and space-efficient airer alternative. In a separate tip, she also recently promoted the use of common table salt as a powerful, eco-friendly cleaner for tackling grease and stains, further cementing her reputation for simple, cost-effective household solutions.
