I’m a bed expert – how to dry your sheets without using a tumble dryer and save money
IT CAN be harder to dry clothes in winter, and with the cost of living rising, people may be looking to avoid using tumble dryers and heaters.
Thankfully a bed expert has revealed her top hacks for drying sheets inside while saving money in the process.
Georgia Metcalfe, founder of online bedroom retailer French Bedroom, has shared the advice as we head towards colder months.
She explained how sheets can dry effectively inside and smell nice as well as how to prevent mould when doing so, all whilst lowering bills.
Use bannisters
Georgia explains that the best way to dry sheets indoors is to hang them on bannisters.
She said: “Bedding needs a large surface area to dry quickly so drape wet sheets around the bannister to maximise indoor space and allow the fabric to breathe.
More on home hacks
“Many will use an airer, but these can be too small to work efficiently for large sheets.
“You could also create a beautiful scent by using lavender fabric softener in the washing machine as this will act as a diffuser whilst the sheets dry.”
Use doors but not directly
If the bannister isn’t practical, then Georgia recommends hanging washing up on doors.
She added: “Place hooks on the backs of doors and even walls to create an internal washing line as this will provide an open space above the floor, then hang up washing to dry.
Most read in Fabulous
“This is best to do in spare or unused rooms as there is usually more space or it is easy to move furniture around to fit the line.
“I strongly advise against anyone hanging their linen on doors directly, as often decorators can’t reach the top of doors, which leaves the bare wood exposed and may mean that the wood ‘bleeds’ onto your washing as it dries.
“There’s also a risk that splinters from raw wood could snag the linen.”
Avoid radiators
One of the most popular ways to dry clothes and sheets is on radiators, but Georgia warns that this can harm the fabric.
The expert added: “Be careful of the rust particles which can transfer onto bed linen from radiators, creating blemishes on the sheets that are hard to remove, and appears worse on plain designs.
“A layer of clothes over a radiator will also reduce its efficiency in heating up the room and raise bills.”
Prevent mould
No matter where sheets are dried, Georgia recommends being wary of mould forming.
She said: “Your house will need to be well ventilated, which may be tricky during autumn and winter but can lead to issues such as black mould forming if it isn’t.
“To dry sheets safely, it is essential to open windows a slither even in cold weather as the evaporation needs somewhere to escape and prevents problems further down the line.
“This is another reason to use a spare room as this can be closed off, so the air doesn’t make you feel chilly.”
Read More on The Sun
Finally Georgia concluded: “The higher the thread count, the longer it takes to dry sheets and clothes, so bear this in mind when drying and if the instructions state it is safe, give the wash an extra spin.
“Following this advice can save hundreds on bills across the course of winter due to the amount of energy a tumble dryer uses.”