Drying clothes on radiators is costly and wasteful in terms of energy, according to consumer group Which?, and experts warn it can lead to mould, health problems, fire hazards and damage to both your home and your garments.
With colder weather making it harder to dry washing outdoors, many households turn to dehumidifiers or tumble dryers, but these can be expensive or time-consuming. As a result, some people use radiators instead. While it may seem logical to leave clothes on a hot heater, it is not always the best option.
Why radiator drying is a bad idea
In a TikTok video, an energy expert said: "You need to stop drying your clothes on radiators." The experts stated that radiators circulate warm air around the room, so if the heating is on, covering them with clothes can cause your boiler to stop working efficiently.
Which? added: "But cold and wet clothes act as a barrier to the heat being given off that means you could be heating your room for a lot longer than you need to. While you might end up with dry clothes, you'll also end up with a colder home and bigger energy bills."
Six risks highlighted by radiator specialists
The experts at Posh.co.uk, who specialise in radiators, also highlighted six reasons why drying clothes on the radiator can cause more harm than good.
- Mould: Hanging wet clothes on radiators releases moisture into the air, which once evaporated, can cause damage and dampness in your home over time, leading to staining, peeling paint and structural damage.
- Health problems: Dampness and poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory issues and allergic reactions which can be particularly hazardous for children in the household.
- Fire hazard: Clothes left too close to hot radiators may ignite, posing a significant fire risk. If you leave your home unattended or forget to remove the clothes, this can be especially worrisome.
- Radiator damage: Moisture from clothes can seep into the metal, promoting corrosion and rust. Over time, this can weaken your radiator, reducing its lifespan. If you find yourself having to replace damaged radiators more frequently, this is another costly consequence.
- Expensive: When you drape your clothes over radiators, the garments may heat up, but your room doesn't. This results in your heating system working harder to warm up the house, potentially increasing your energy bills.
- Clothes damage: Your favourite garments may also not like being dried on a radiator as this could ruin them. Clothes in direct contact with heat from radiators may develop stains, and the fabric can weaken over time. Discolouration can also occur as the heat causes colours to bleed.
What to do instead
Andy Ellis, from Posh.co.uk, said: "It might seem like an easy solution but you should really try to avoid drying your clothes on radiators if you can. It can prove costly in more ways than one."
"Your boiler will be working much harder to heat up your room if the radiator is covered in clothes and this will drive up energy costs."
"Not only increased energy bills, but you might also be causing some damage to your favourite clothes, and over time you may find yourself replacing your radiator more often."
"The indoor air quality can cause mould to grow, and this can then lead to health risks such as flu-like symptoms."
Instead you can place your clothes on a drying rack in a well-ventilated room, ideally near a radiator or in a space with good airflow. But you must avoid overcrowding the rack to ensure clothes dry efficiently.
