To dry my clothes on the radiator

[whenskiesaregrey]

Never thought this was an issue. Just mentioned to my landlady that the radiators are working fine as they dry the washing, and apparently this is a very bad thing to do.

Is it?

If it is, I’ve never known! Aside from when I’ve lived in properties with storage heaters, I’ve always done this, as has my family growing up.

I would imagine she’s thinking of possible damp?

Rusts the radiators and creates moisture that is bad for everyone apparently.

It's terrible to dry clothes indoors. All the water causes condensation. I do it in the summer with the windows wide open as I live in a flat, but if it's cold enough to use the heating I use the tumble drier.

She doesn't want me to use a tumble dryer either. Is this realistic?

It causes condensation which causes mould. Make sure you always have windows open when drying washing this way.

I have a friend who doesn't have a tumble dryer and dried clothes on her radiators. I can say that yes after many years they have rusted and she's having to replace them now and get a tumble dryer too!

It can cause the radiators to rust eventually and can cause damp and mould issues if you don't have adequate ventilation. Saying that, I do dry stuff on or in front of radiators in the winter and I don't have any problems, I do open my windows daily though.

I've rented places where the contract actually said drying clothes on radiators is forbidden.

You can simply get a clothes airer and stand in front of the radiator

Yes it rusts radiators and can cause damp. If you want to dry clothes indoors ask your landlady for a washing machine / dryer.

Get a dehumidifier too.

I do it, we haven’t all got tumble driers.

Get a dehumidifier! Honestly dries clothes within a few hours, and keeps them relatively soft.
We rarely use out tumble dryer now - just hang up washing on an airer, stick on the dehumidifier (cheap elec costs) and close the door.

You never say to your landlord or estate agent that you dry your clothes on radiators. That way they can blame you for damp problems - whether they're caused by this or not they'll blame this.

(I don't have a tumble dryer so in the winter - and summer when it's wet outside- I do dry my clothes on the radiator. But always try to take them off when I have inspections from the estate agent!)

I use an airer, but thick things like jeans and hoodies end up smelling damp. What's the difference between an airer near a radiator and a radiator? Surely the same amount of moisture is produced? Windows are kept open when possible.

It's in our contract that we are not allowed to do this. It causes mould and damp. We use a clothes horse and a dehumidifier which removes loads of water and really makes the house a lot nicer to live in.

@Teddybear45 landlady doesn't want a dryer used either.

I've dried clothes on our radiators since we had them, 16 years ago. We have no damp and apart from the bathroom one, none have any signs of rust.

I'll buy a dehumidifier!

It can cause terrible damp/ mould. Most landlords (like myself) it means the insurance is invalid due to misuse. That's probably why they don't agree.
Heated airers cost £30 from Argos :) x

So, how do I dry thick heavy things like hoodies and jeans during the colder months without them smelling damp? I have two children, the washing is endless.

I absolutely hate living in a rented property!!

What is her reasoning for not wanting you to use a tumble drier? You would be paying for the electricity and it wouldn't cause any damp problems.

@sunshine5997 what is the difference (in moisture terms) between a radiator and a heated dryer?

Sunshine insurance wouldn't be affected by this. Insurance wouldn't cover for damp

@NannyR she says they are a fire risk and doesn't agree with the energy consumption.