For many households across the UK, the winter months bring a familiar and frustrating domestic battle: trying to get laundry dry without a tumble dryer. The result is often clothing left with a persistent, unpleasant damp odour. However, a leading laundry specialist has shared a remarkably simple solution that requires just two common household items.
The Expert's Simple Two-Step Method
Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of the laundry service Laundryheap, has provided a crucial tip to combat musty smells. The technique, reported by the Express, is designed to speed up drying and prevent odours from taking hold in the first place. It centres on removing initial moisture before you even hang your washing up.
"In order to prevent any damp or musty smells from clinging to your clothing as they dry, you can initially heat them up before hanging on your drying rack," Dimitrov explained. The process is straightforward: take each freshly washed item, lay it flat on a surface, and cover it with a clean, dry towel. Then, simply run a hot iron over the towel-covered garment.
Why This Ironing Technique Works
This method works by using the iron's heat to draw out and evaporate a significant amount of the moisture trapped in the fabric. The towel acts as a protective barrier, preventing direct heat damage to delicate materials while still absorbing the released dampness. By tackling the wettest stage of the drying process head-on, you drastically reduce the overall time your clothes spend damp on the airer, which is when mildew and smells develop.
After this initial ironing step, you should hang the pre-warmed items on a laundry rack indoors. Correct placement of the rack is vital for success. Avoid positioning it too close to walls, as this can restrict airflow and create localised dampness. Instead, place it in a room with good ventilation.
Maximising Your Indoor Drying Setup
To ensure your laundry dries efficiently and smell-free, follow these additional guidelines from experts. Do not overcrowd the drying rack; leave ample space between items. If air cannot circulate freely, drying time extends and the risk of musty odours returning increases significantly.
For those who regularly dry clothes inside, investing in a dehumidifier can be highly beneficial. These devices actively extract excess moisture from the room's atmosphere, protecting your home from damp and mould while creating a much better environment for drying washing quickly.
By combining the pre-ironing trick with sensible airing practices, you can finally defeat the winter laundry blues and enjoy fresh, dry clothes regardless of the weather outside.
