Which? warning over mistake making homes colder and bills higher

In a TikTok video, the consumer organisation advises households to stop putting wet washing directly on radiators and suggests using an airer instead.

It says damp clothes can act as a barrier to heat, potentially leaving a room taking longer to warm up and increasing energy use.

Which? also raises the risk of mould when moisture from drying clothes ends up in the air inside a home.

@whichuk Stop drying clothes directly on your radiator!!! It can make your heating work harder, leave your room feeling colder and add extra moisture to the air, increasing the risk of mould 🦠 Instead, try a drying rack near the radiator, a heated clothes airer for smaller loads or a tumble dryer if you need things dry quickly 👌 #home #heating #winter #radiator #laundrytok ♬ original sound - Which?

Which? suggests putting washing on an airer near a radiator rather than covering it, allowing air to circulate around the room.

For people who need another option, it suggests a heated airer for smaller loads or a tumble dryer.

However, a heated airer does not make the moisture disappear, so the room still needs ventilation.

In separate tests of indoor drying methods, Which? found that the cheapest option depends partly on the amount of washing.

It says an unheated airer uses no electricity, while its tested heated airers took around four to five hours to dry a small cotton load.

The organisation found a heated airer could save money compared with vented or condenser tumble dryers when a small load fits on it in one go.

For larger loads that need several rounds on an airer, Which? says a tumble dryer is likely to be cheaper to run.

Heat pump dryers have lower running costs than vented and condenser models, according to its comparison, although they can cost more to buy.

Ventilation matters whichever indoor drying method is used: South Kesteven District Council advises drying washing outside if possible.

If that is not possible, it recommends a heated, well-ventilated room, such as a bathroom with the door closed, and says not to put clothes on radiators.

The council advises opening windows wider or using extractor fans where fitted when drying clothes, and keeping permanent vents clear.

Energy Saving Trust says condensation forms when moisture in the air meets a cold surface, such as a window.

Its advice notes that damp can have other causes too, including leaks, damaged guttering and faults that allow groundwater into walls.

Signs of a problem can include persistent condensation, a musty smell, peeling wallpaper or mould, according to the trust.

It says the underlying cause needs to be addressed, and leaks or signs of rising damp should be dealt with quickly.