UK households are being urged to introduce dehumidifiers into their homes this weekend, as outdoor conditions have taken a turn compared with recent months.
The UK has experienced record heat and dry conditions since May, with five heatwaves scorching the country and temperatures getting close to 40C at times. While it was often uncomfortable, there was one benefit for households: clothes dried in gardens and on balconies with incredible speed, making laundry more efficient than ever.
Rain returns over the bank holiday
However, as the weather turns and the UK braces for widespread, consistent rain over the August bank holiday weekend, clothes will have to be hung up to dry inside. After months of little to no rain in the UK, this will take some getting used to again.
Cleaning and home experts have warned of the problems this can cause as rain returns to most parts of Britain. That is why dehumidifiers are the way forward, they say.
Expert warnings on indoor drying
"When the rain returns, so too does the dreaded indoor clothes airer," the experts at Good Housekeeping warn. "But moving wet washing inside without changing how you dry it can quickly add extra moisture to the air, increasing the risk of condensation, damp and mould."
To counteract this issue, they say that a dehumidifier can help. "Try to dry clothes in a well-ventilated room, keep them spaced out rather than packed tightly together and use an extractor fan or dehumidifier if you have one," they said.
Additionally, giving laundry an extra spin in the washing machine can help speed up drying time. And importantly, households should avoid "draping wet washing over radiators or leaving several loads to dry in a closed room".
Social media praise for the trick
People on social media have praised the dehumidifier trick, saying they prefer it over expensive tumble dryers. "Got a cheap one from ScrewFix, and my whole load is drying in 3 hours! And much, much cheaper than a tumble dryer to run and to buy," said one Reddit user.
"Saves the house rotting as well," added another. A third wrote: "I have a teeny tiny apartment so my dehumidifier is a godsend."
It looks like no drying will get done outside this weekend, as rain sets in early on Saturday morning, first arriving in the South West of England and Wales before becoming more widespread.
