As dark and cold nights creep up earlier and earlier in the day, it's clear the time for drying your washing outdoors has long past.
Air drying washing indoors can encourage mould growth and turn freshly cleaned washing into a mess that reeks of mildew.
Those without tumble driers, especially people living in small spaces, will know drying bedding during colder months can be a hassle to start with.
A study reveals hanging damp items on radiators can encourage mould growth that can lead to a fungal condition called Aspergillosis.
So, what's the best way to air dry bedding without encouraging mould growth?
Lucy Ackroyd, Head of Design at Christy, offered Wales Online her top six tips and tricks to utilising different parts of your home to dry duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases both effectively and efficiently.
1. Wash and dry at the beginning of the day
As part of your weekly washing ritual, choose a day of the week that will allow you to take advantage of the full use of your house.
Lucy says: "I recommend washing your bedding first thing in the morning and allowing your sheets to dry throughout the day before folding and storing them in the evening.
"Remember to keep in mind that the higher your thread count, the longer it will take to dry so this may impact where you choose to hang your damp washing.
"If the beddings cleaning instructions allow it, give your laundry an extra spin in the washing machine before taking it out.
"Then dry the bedsheets in rooms with plenty of airflow and in areas that aren’t used as much as other places in the home to avoid knocking them or adding moisture to them through breathing or movement."
2. Drape your sheets over your bannister
Lucy advises: "As soon as your washing cycle is done, take the sheets out and give them a good shake to help minimise creasing and wrinkles.
"The best way to dry your bedding indoors is to aim for a large surface area to allow the fabric to fully breathe.
"If you’re able to, drape your damp sheets over the bannister so you can make use of the full length of your stairwell to dry them in a straight and upright position.
"Run your hand against the folded edge of the fabric on the rail to make sure it is smooth and not bunched up."
3. Take advantage of your doors
As well as using your bannister to lay your sheets on, look for other tall items in your home such as the curtain poles or doors.
Lucy adds: "Airers are perfect for drying smaller bedding items like pillow or cushion cases.
"However, if you don’t have an airer big enough for sheets, interior doors are a more convenient way to dry larger items like duvet covers, sheets or throws because of their height.
"Keep the door open whilst the item is drying to allow maximum airflow and to stop your sheets from getting damaged.
"If you’re popping the item straight over the door, make sure the top is clean and dust-free to avoid getting dirt on your clean washing.
"Depending on the layout of your room, you can use hangers with clips on to attach your bed linen and stretch them between door frames or a tall piece of furniture to allow them to dry in a flat position.
"This technique works best in a large room that is used infrequently, like a guest bedroom, as the horizontal sheets can get in the way."
4. Don't cover radiators with wet items
If you don’t own a tumble dryer, you’ve more than likely made this mistake before.
Antonio Dengra, CEO at electric heating company, Rointe , comments: "It can be tempting to dry your bedding by directly placing it on a radiator but this is not advisable from a safety point of view because it’s a potential fire risk.
"By covering your radiators with damp fabrics, it can also cause a build up of unwanted condensation, leading to dampness or mould.
"Using radiators to dry sheets or garments can have a negative effect on your heating bills as it doesn’t allow for proper air circulation so your house will take longer to reach the desired temperature and it will therefore also increase consumption."
Lucy adds: "Instead of placing your washing directly onto the radiator, look for other hotspots in your house.
"For example, you can use your airing cupboard door to dry items to make the most of the warmth without covering the water tank."
5. Keep your home well ventilated to avoid condensation
To avoid that clammy and muggy feeling indoors, Adam Pawson, Head of Digital at Safestyle , shares how to prevent condensation and increase ventilation in your home.
He says: "Condensation is essentially the water beads that form when hot moist air meets a cool surface.
"It’s important to remember that it’s a common occurrence and doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your windows, but if it is not maintained efficiently then it can develop into a dangerous mould.
'If your home is suffering from condensation, damp or mould, the best thing you can do is to try and improve the ventilation inside.
"Try to regularly open windows to allow air to move freely and let moist air escape from the property.
"Ventilation systems such as extractor fans can also massively help to reduce the condensation in your home."
6. Keep sheets fresh and with a hotel-finish
Nothing beats that snuggly moment as you shimmy down into a bed on a winter’s evening and having to dry your sheets indoors shouldn’t take that cosy feeling away.
Lucy summarises: “Remember to wash and change your bedding regularly. I recommend at least once a week to ensure your sheets are clean and fresh.
"It’s also really important to iron your bed sheets straight after drying them to give them that hotel-style feel.
"If the sheets are high quality, it shouldn’t take long but will feel well worth the time when you snuggle down into them later on."
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