I’m a laundry expert, here’s how to tell if your clothes are damp or just cold simply by KISSING them
WITH the occasional burst of sunshine finally coming to the UK many of us will be opting to hang our washing on the line to dry.
Yet, with average temperatures lingering around 9°C in the UK, the chill persists, prompting a common query as we unclip laundry from the line – are the clothes damp or just cold?
Cleanology, a leading commercial cleaning company, dives into the secrets of telling if your clothes are damp, and need to be left to dry a little longer, or if they are ready to be brought inside and put away.
Although seemingly straightforward, feeling that something is wet is quite a feat because our skin does not have receptors that sense wetness.
There are no wet sensors on our skin. You can only feel when the temperature is different from your body temperature, which is colder or hotter. This means slightly damp or cold clothes would feel the same.
Here are some easy ways to check if your laundry is still damp:
Lip Test
Your lips can tell the difference between moisture and cold better than your hands can, so just put the laundry up to your lips and you’ll know whether or not it’s finished drying.
Mirror Trick
Hold the clothing or item you are concerned may still be damp against a mirror.
Even the tiniest bit of dampness will make the mirror immediately ‘fog’ with condensation. No damp = no fogging.
Paper Towel
Take a piece of paper or a paper towel and dab it over the clothes. If it comes away damp, your clothes need more time to dry.
Check Seams First
Start by looking at the seams and edges of your laundry.
These areas are usually thicker and take longer to dry. If they’re dry, you’re likely good to go.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki said: “If you’re touching something that is cold, you have temperature sensors in your hand. You have sensors in your fingers for hot, cold, dull touch and sharp touch as well as vibrations.”
By employing these methods, you can confidently determine whether your laundry needs a bit more time in the breeze or is ready to be neatly stowed away.