Drying your clothes indoors can pose a risk to your health

Get that tumble dryer going ladies as doctors are warning people against drying their washing indoors on radiators or on a clothes horse as it could pose a serious health risk for people with asthma or weakened immune systems.

According to new research, clothes dried in this way can actually increase the moisture level in the house by up to 30%, and this becomes problematic as it creates the perfect breeding ground for mould spores - which can be linked to the contraction of lung infections. “One load of wet washing contains almost two litres of water, which is released into the room,” said Professor David Denning, who carried out research with a large team at the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester. “Most of us are either immune to the fungus which grows in these humid conditions, or have a sufficiently healthy system to fight the infection,” he continued. “But in asthma sufferers, it can produce coughing and wheeziness, and in people with weak or damaged immune systems such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, Aids patients and people who have an autoimmune disease, the fungus can cause pulmonary aspergillosis – a condition which can cause irreparable and sometimes fatal, damage to the lungs and sinuses. “My advice would be when in doubt, dry wet washing outside, in a tumble dryer or in a well-ventilated indoor space away from bedrooms and living areas to be safe rather than sorry."