Serious warning issued to anyone drying clothes indoors | UK | News
A serious warning has been issued to everyone who dries their clothes indoors in winter. Experts have found that drying clothes indoors in winter, such as draping laundry over radiators, can raise humidity levels inside our homes to dangerous levels and even risk the spread of “deadly lung infections”.
Research by the University of Manchester outlined the risks inherent in drying washed laundry indoors. Professor David Denning and his team at the National Aspergillosis Center in Manchester issued the wet washing warning after treating a growing number of patients with the condition from breathing in Aspergillus fungal spores. Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health at the University of Manchester. Denning explained: “It’s estimated that 87% of us dry our clothes indoors in winter. One load of wet laundry contains almost two liters of water, which is released into the room.”
“Most of us are either immune to the fungus that thrives in these moist conditions or have a healthy enough system to fight off the infection. But in people with asthma, it can cause coughing and wheezing, and in people with weakened or damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, AIDS patients and people with autoimmune diseases, the fungus can cause pulmonary aspergillosis, a condition that can cause irreparable and sometimes fatal damage to the lungs and sinuses.
“My advice, when in doubt, would be to dry, wet wash clothes outside, in a tumble dryer, or in a well-ventilated indoor area away from bedrooms and living areas.
“Be safe instead of sorry.”
The NHS spends around £1.4 billion each year treating diseases caused by living in cold or damp housing.
Households that need to dry their clothes indoors (almost all of us in winter) are advised to use a tumble dryer or, as a cheaper option, a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, preventing it from remaining in your home and potentially causing the above problems.
Opening windows, even for a few minutes, to ensure your home is well ventilated can also help reduce excess humidity.
Doing all of these things is not only better for your health; It can also help prevent moisture-related problems on your property that your insurance may not cover.
