Clothes will smell better and dry faster if you avoid 1 common heating mistake

As winter draws on, plenty of households across the UK are putting the heating on more frequently. In the colder months, trying to get washing dried can become tricky.

That's why a lot of people choose to lay their damp clothes right on to the radiator to get dry. However, this common habit could actually be causing a range of issues. Not only does it make it more likely that your home will get mouldy it can also lead to breathing problems if you're not careful.

According to experts at Plumbworld, as moisture evaporates from the clothes it can raise the humidity in the house and create condensation. This in turn will increase the risk of mould, especially if the room your clothes are drying in are small or poorly ventilated.

Higher humidity can irritate allergies and if you have asthma or another respiratory problem then you're more at risk. Children and older people are also at a higher risk of experiencing breathing issues due to increased humidity.

The increased moisture released as clothes heat up can also make the air feel stuffy and uncomfortable.

Aside from making your home damp and uncomfortable, placing clothes to dry on radiators can also get expensive.

The damp laundry will stop the radiator from spreading properly and this forces the central heating to work harder to heat the room. This will increase your bills over time.

Instead, the experts are urging people to use a clothes airer positioned near a radiator but not touching it. They also recommend opening windows for 10 minutes or so daily to allow the moisture to escape.

A dehumidifier in the room where laundry is drying is also a great idea to remove excess moisture.

They said: "Drying clothes on radiators may feel convenient, but the hidden downsides - from extra moisture to reduced heating efficiency - make it a habit worth limiting. With a few simple changes, homeowners can protect their property, their health, and their heating system."