Why drying clothes on radiators can affect your health and what alternatives experts recommend
Drying clothes on radiators may seem like a quick solution to finish drying clothes on cold or rainy days. However, what seems like a practical trick has consequences that affect both your health and the environment of your home.
Below, we explain why experts advise against this practice and what alternatives they recommend to dry clothes safely.
1. Increased humidity and risk of mold
When you place wet clothes on a radiator, the water in it evaporates into the environment. According to studies, this humidity can raise water vapor levels in indoor air by up to 30%, creating ideal conditions for fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus to grow. This fungus produces spores that, when inhaled, can cause breathing problems and lung infections, especially in people with asthma or weakened immune systems.
Mold not only appears on clothing, but also on walls, ceilings, and windows, leaving visible stains, causing bad odors, and deteriorating the siding of the home.
2. Respiratory problems and allergies
Excess humidity in indoor air is directly linked to poorer domestic air quality. Mold spores and mites thrive in moist environments, triggering allergies, eye irritation, nasal congestion, and increasing the likelihood of asthma attacks. Even people without previous allergies can experience bothersome symptoms when moisture is trapped in poorly ventilated spaces.
3. Lower heating efficiency and energy consumption
Placing clothes directly on the radiator blocks heat from escaping into the room. This reduces the efficiency of the radiator and forces the heating system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. As a result, energy consumption and in many cases the heating bill increases.
4. Clothing damage and other hazards
Concentrated heat can affect the texture and shape of some fabrics, especially delicate ones. Uneven heat can cause garments to shrink, warp, or lose elasticity over time. In addition, although less common, there is a potential risk of overheating if very close garments are in prolonged contact with sources of intense heat.
Expert-recommended alternatives
1. Well-ventilated mobile clotheslines
Using a folding clothesline placed in a room with good ventilation is one of the best alternatives. It does not block heating and allows air to circulate around the garments, reducing accumulated moisture.
2. Special hangers or brackets near the radiator
Placing a chair or using hangers that are hooked without covering the radiator allows you to take advantage of the proximity to the heat without obstructing the hot air outlet. This speeds up drying without raising the ambient humidity as much or compromising the heating.
3. Dryers and dehumidifiers
When possible, using a dryer with an air outlet to the outside or with a condensing system reduces the humidity inside quite a bit. If you don’t have one, an electric dehumidifier in your laundry room can absorb excess moisture and improve air quality.
4. Ventilate regularly
Opening windows for a few minutes a day, even in winter, allows moist air to escape and the indoor air to be renewed. This is essential when drying clothes indoors, as it prevents moisture stagnation and reduces the risk of mold.
Conclusion
While drying clothes on radiators may seem convenient on cold days, this practice has proven negative effects: it increases humidity, promotes mold growth, worsens air quality, and can affect both your health and the performance of your heating system.
Opting for alternatives such as well-ventilated clotheslines, accessories that do not obstruct the radiator, and maintaining proper interior ventilation, can make a big difference in the comfort and health of your home.
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