THERE’S nothing quite as annoying as finding your towels are still damp hours after using them, but it’s a common occurrence during the cold winter months.
Without turning on the heating you might think there’s little you can do to solve this problem, but one cleaning fan has shared her clever trick.
This comes after one woman took to Mumsnet to ask for help to dry her towels and stop them smelling without having to fork out to turn the heating on.
“We used to sling towels over radiator after baths to dry off but now radiators aren’t on, or not on for long enough, I sling them over bannisters to air (none of this is helping the damp in the house either) but they don’t fully dry like that.
“Obviously in good weather we put them outside but it’s getting cold enough that they don’t really dry. They start stinking pretty quickly if they don’t dry properly,” she wrote.
She added that she doesn’t have a tumble dryer and doesn’t plan on forking out for one either, so that’s not an option for her.
Luckily, one clever cleaning fan had the perfect solution for the smelly problem – new microfibre towels.
“We use microfibre camping towels,” they commented on the post.
Microfibre towels dry a lot faster than cotton towels, so are a great choice if thicker towels take too long to dry.
Not only that, but they can also absorb a lot more water – up to seven times their weight in it in fact – and they’re great for sensative skin and hair.
But most importantly, microfibre towels fast drying time means bacteria, mildew, and odours are less likely to grow and spread.
“I swear by microfibre towels for this very reason,” another commented on the post.
“They dry so much faster and are lovely on my skin and hair,” they added.
And while cotton towels can be quite pricey, you can buy a set of two microfibre towels for just £12.72 on Amazon.
The Linlook Microfibre Camping Towel comes with a large bath towel and a smaller bath towel and they’re available in nine different colours.
“Linlook microfiber towels are super absorbent, five times more absorbent than traditional towels and dries 10 times faster than traditional cotton towels,” the product description boasts online.
The towels have an average rating of 4.7 out of five stars, with one happy shopper writing: “Feel soft and good quality. Really do dry very quickly.”
A second said: “Both decent size in width/ length, dried very quickly. Easy to wash, no shrinkage, dried on an airer not a tumbler, once dried very soft. Well worth the money. 100% happy with this product.”
Common Bathroom Habits That Increase Mould
Plumbworld, a leading expert in bathroom and kitchen products, has shared the daily habits that increase the chance of mould growing in homes.
Leaving wet towels and bathmats on floor
Wet towels and bathmats on the floors after a shower or bath can increase humidity levels which provides a perfect breeding ground for mould spores.
To prevent this, hang towels and bathmats in an area where they can dry quickly and to wash them regularly.
Not turning on the fan
An exhaust fan is critical in reducing moisture levels in the bathroom.
When taking a hot shower or bath, steam increases the room’s humidity level, creating an ideal setting for mould to flourish on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.
An exhaust fan helps by moving the moist air outside, significantly reducing the risk of mould growth.
Experts suggest running the fan during the shower and for at least 20-30 minutes afterwards to lower humidity levels.
Ignoring small leaks
Even minor leaks from the sink, toilet, or shower can contribute to increased moisture levels in a bathroom, fostering an environment where mould can thrive.
Over time, these leaks can cause significant water damage, promoting mould growth in less visible areas such as inside walls or under flooring.
Fix leaks promptly to prevent mould and potential structural damage.
Keeping shower curtains or doors closed
Keeping the shower area closed after use traps moisture inside, delaying the drying process and creating a humid environment conducive to mould growth.
Mould can easily develop on shower curtains, doors, and in tile grout if they remain wet for too long.
To avoid this, leave the shower door or curtain open after use to improve air circulation and allow the area to dry more quickly.
Storing too many products
Shower caddies and corners filled with bottles and accessories may seem harmless, but they can obstruct airflow and trap moisture and creates hidden, moist niches where mould can grow unnoticed.
Keep shampoo and shower gel bottles to a minimum, and regularly clean and dry the areas underneath them to prevent mould growing.