As temperatures drop, drying clothes outside becomes increasingly impractical, yet there is a straightforward technique for hanging laundry indoors without being left with that dreaded musty odour.
While it may appear to be the obvious solution, using a tumble dryer during autumn comes at a cost — these appliances are heavy on electricity, and frequent use can significantly inflate energy bills at a time when many households are already concerned about heating costs. Fortunately, sustainability expert and Moral Fibres founder Wendy Graham has revealed a reliable indoor drying method that keeps unpleasant smells at bay.
Ventilation and dehumidifiers
She said: "Clothes start to smell damp when they take too long to dry. Adequately ventilating the room you are drying your clothes in, by opening a window, can help. Running a dehumidifier can also help, by removing moisture from your clothes, without the high running costs associated with tumble dryers."
Poor air circulation within a home is frequently the culprit behind musty-smelling clothes, as increased moisture levels in a room slow down the evaporation process, leaving garments taking far longer to dry.
Maximum spin cycle
Nevertheless, ensuring your laundry routine is up to scratch and selecting the appropriate spin cycle can make a considerable difference to drying times. Wendy said: "My other top tip is to spin your clothes at the maximum spin cycle your washing machine allows."
"Some washing cycles don't spin on the maximum spin cycle, so a final spin cycle on the maximum setting removes any excess moisture. This makes it quicker to dry your clothes, meaning they are less likely to smell musty."
It's also important to fill your washing machine only three-quarters full in the drum, as cramming it too tightly will hamper the indoor drying process. Wendy said: "It can be incredibly tempting to ram as many clothes into our machine as it can possibly hold. However, I know that this is counterintuitive to having clean laundry and also the drying process."
Hanging garments correctly
"This is because if you do that, then there is not enough space for your laundry to agitate in the machine. There will also be less water available for the detergent to dissolve in, as the clothes will soak up too much water. This means your clothes don't come out as clean as you would like, meaning you may have to wash them again."
Garments frequently develop unpleasant odours when there's insufficient air circulation in a property, as elevated moisture levels in a room take considerably longer to evaporate, prolonging the drying time. Always ensure a window remains open or position a dehumidifier in whichever room you're drying your washing.
You can accelerate the drying process by maintaining adequate gaps between garments and ensuring everything is arranged as tidily as possible. Hang clothes on a clothes horse and avoid draping wet laundry over radiators, as this wastes energy and drives up costs.
Wendy said: "Standard clothes horses aren't your only option. If you lack floor space but have the ceiling height, then one option to try would be a ceiling-mounted clothes airer. Growing up, I knew these as a pulley, but you might know them as a kitchen maid."
She added: "Meanwhile, some people swear by using an electric clothes horse to dry their clothes indoors. From what I have read, they are very energy efficient, and much cheaper to run than a tumble dryer."
Bearing these handy tips in mind next time you tackle the laundry could help trim your energy bills while ensuring your clothes remain fresh-smelling throughout the autumn months.
