It’s a chore that many people dread.
And now it turns out you’ve probably been drying your clothes wrong.
That’s according to Dr Rebecca Drummond, an expert in immunology and immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, who has revealed the correct way to hang out your washing.
While many of us opt to use drying racks in our homes, the scientist has warned against this method.
‘Drying wet clothing on racks in poorly ventilated spaces could increase the amount of mould growing in your home,’ she explained in an article for The Conversation.
‘[This] is associated with poor health and, in some cases, even death.’
Instead, Dr Drummond claims it’s best to brave the cold and to dry your clothes outdoors year-round.
Alternatively, if you don’t have access to outdoor space, the expert advises investing in a dehumidifier or heated clothes rack.
It’s a chore that many people dread. And now it turns out you’ve probably been drying your clothes wrong (stock image)
Mould – a group of fungi that produce spores – tends to grow more in damp conditions, which is why you might see it in your bathroom (stock image)
Mould – a group of fungi that produce spores – tends to grow more in damp conditions, which is why you might see it in your bathroom.
‘When mould grows in your home, it can form black or green coloured patches on the walls, and usually creates an unpleasant musty smell,’ Dr Drummond said.
‘It shouldn’t be ignored, because being exposed to mould over long periods of time can have serious health implications.’
People whose immune systems are compromised are particularly at high risk of dangerous infections.
‘People who have damaged or compromised immune systems are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell from fungal infections,’ Dr Drummond explained.
‘Moulds like aspergillus cause infections in patients with limited immune function, or who have lung damage from diseases like asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with heavy smoking.’
In some cases, fungal spores can even invade the airways and block them, leading to bleeding within the lung.
‘This happens when spores germinate and form long spiderweb-like projections called mycelium which create sticky lumps that block airways and damage the delicate tissues of the lung,’ Dr Drummond added.
Dr Drummond claims it’s best to brave the cold and to dry your clothes outdoors year-round (stock image)
Most healthy people’s immune systems are good at spotting and killing fungal spores.
However, that’s not always the case, according to Dr Drummond.
‘While a healthy immune system means that typical exposure to fungal spores is not likely to cause you any health problems, being exposed to very large amounts of fungal spores can prove to be fatal even for people who don’t have underlying health issues,’ she warned.
The scientist highlights the case of Awaab Ishak – a toddler who died in 2020 as a direct result of high exposure to fungal spores, caused by excessive damp and mould in his home.
‘His death led to a change in UK law (Awaab’s Law) which requires landlords to respond promptly to damp in homes they manage, to ensure that tenants are not exposed to excessive levels of fungal spores which can affect their physical and mental health,’ Dr Drummond said.
Overall, it’s important to keep your home dry and free of mould – which means waving goodbye to your basic clothes rack.
Dr Drummon concluded: ‘Ensure you have good ventilation and take other measures to reduce damp, such as using a dehumidifier or investing in a heated clothes rack to dry your clothes indoors in the winter.’
