The content creator, known as the TikTok account @ministryofmould, warns that drying clothes in certain indoor conditions can have disastrous consequences.
The expert posted a video on TikTok and warned that drying clothes in certain indoor conditions can have disastrous consequences. Moreover, the expert also offers a helpful tip for those who dry their clothes indoors, which can help prevent unwanted results.
The caption in the video: "Clothes drying indoors causes this room to be as humid as a rainforest! I get it. Sometimes clothes need to be dried inside but you can save yourself some real bother with mould by taking simple steps.
Opening the windows and keeping the door shut is the easiest and free. If you have a dehumidifier then put that in the room (with the windows and doors shut) and run it while the clothes dry. "
In the video, he uses a handheld monitor to track relative humidity (RH) levels in a laundry drying room, recording an RH level of just over 93% with a dew point of 19.4°C
He explained what the numbers mean, saying: 'That means if any surface in this room is below 19C, then condensation will form, which will also lead to mold'.
He pans the camera to show the higher part of the wall where mold has formed.
He used a laser thermometer to demonstrate that the temperature of the room wall ranged between 18.8 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, explaining that this surface was 'now susceptible to condensation forming on it because of the humidity in this room.
Then, he also offers advice to someone who dries their clothes inside. The suggestion includes not only putting them in one room with a dehumidifier or keeping the windows open while drying clothes but also placing the clothes in a room with the door shut and the window open. Clothes dry quicker when the air isn’t humid.
The video quickly went viral, gaining over 575,000 views on the social media platform, and was received by numerous people who frequently dry their clothes indoors after washing them.
However, in the video, numerous people expressed worries about his advice, especially when considering their various living situations.
One person said: Dehumidifier with a laundry setting, works a treat, and clothes dry so much faster, definitely recommend it.
A second wrote: If you’re able to buy a dehumidifier, surely it makes more sense to just buy a condensing tumble dryer.
While a third commented: Unless you have very dry air, especially in the winter. I have to use a humidifier otherwise.
Very much depends on your house. I have pollen allergies so will never dry outside. But I also have an active vent system so even after drying inside. Someone else said.
Used to put the heating on high for a couple of bursts a day, but found it costs around the same to have it on low all day and has fewer issues with dampness. Another suggested.
