DRYING the laundry in the colder autumn and winter can be tough – there are fewer options and the chilly temperatures make it that little bit harder.
Many may be tempted to chuck the wet garments on the warm radiators – but the increased moisture in the air ”can lead to damp and mould forming”, experts warned.
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For millions of cash-strapped Brits using the tumble dryer is also not as option, as it’s costly to run.
But according to savvy fans of Mrs Hinch, there’s still an easy way to get your clothes dry inside without a tumble dryer or a pricey dehumidifier – and this hack also prevents any creases from forming.
Desperate for help, Julie Bennett took to Facebook where she said: ”Now that the colder weather is here it’s a bit harder to dry washing no more putting cloths [clothes] out on the line in garden to dry.
”So it’s now back to the tumble dryer. Anyway, who can tell me any good tips to get flint out of the tumble dryer, as mine had not been used all summer like most of yours ain’t been.
”My dryer needs a good clean out,” Julie shared her troubles on the popular Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips page.
Luckily for the Mrs Hinch fan, the post had more than 70 responses, with fellow cleaning fans offering a helping hand.
While Julie, like many, may be reluctant to hang the washing outside once the temperatures start dropping, Facebook users told the chilly weather doesn’t stop them.
However, if it’s pouring, there is a solution – and the trick means you won’t have to spend ages ironing either.
One savvy woman shared her go-to method, writing: ”I put all my clothes on hangers and just hang around kitchen if raining. If dry outside, still on hangers on washing line.
She went on: ”This also ensures very little ironing, I never use a tumble dryer even for bedding and towels.
”Bedding dried outside smells so fresh and I prefer my towels to have an edge to them when drying myself after showering.”
Although it is a common misconception that clothes can’t be dried outside during the winter, laundry expert Sarah Dempsey previously revealed that hanging your clothes outside in the colder months can actually be more effective than doing so in summer.
“While heat is a very helpful tool for drying clothes, it’s not the only factor that goes into drying clothes,” she says.
Laundry tips
Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips.
How often should you be remaking your bed?
When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better.
Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets!
You want to be washing your sheets once a week – or every 10 days if you don’t suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn’t look dirty.
Using an effective detergent like smol’s will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle – that’s better for the planet and your energy bills!
What temperature do smol recommend then?
For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It’s gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties.
What’s the difference between bio and non-bio detergent?
Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It’s best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively.
Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn’t contain enzymes, it’s still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process.
“High levels of humidity in the air can result in longer drying time so, in some cases, you may find that your clothes dry much more quickly on a cold winter’s day than they would on a humid summer day.
“Solar radiation is the most effective method of evaporating the moisture in your clothes.
“Where possible, hang your clothes out in the sunshine for the best method of drying.
“When hanging your clothes outside, you’ll find that wind can even further speed up the drying process.
“Wind can also help with getting the creases out of your clothes.”
She also explained that air-drying your clothes is not only a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to the tumble dryer, saving you money on your energy bills, but it’ll also extend the life of your clothes, with a tumble dryer being the enemy for many knit materials.
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