In an average home, the balcony is often an integral part of family life, especially for families with young children. Drying clothes, especially children's clothes, the balcony has become the preferred place for parents. Imagine a string of white clothes swaying in the wind at sunset, and this picture is undoubtedly full of the warmth and happiness of life. However, such a seemingly ordinary habit may hide a risk that is not good for your child's health. Many parents don't realize that it is not a good habit to let their children's clothes "stay overnight" on the balcony, and the reason behind it is far from superstition, but has a scientific basis.
At night, when the temperature drops and the humidity rises, bacteria and molds find an ideal breeding ground for them to multiply. Especially for children's clothes that are "overnight" on the balcony, this environment provides conditions for the growth of microorganisms. Unlike during the day, where direct sunlight can inhibit the growth of these microorganisms by ultraviolet light, there is a lack of such a natural disinfection mechanism at night.
Bacterial growth rate and conditions
Bacteria multiply extremely quickly in warm, humid environments. Studies have shown that the number of certain types of bacteria can double in a matter of hours under the right conditions. This means that a piece of clothing that sits overnight on a wet balcony can become a breeding ground for millions of germs.
Mold formation and health risks
Mold is also able to grow in low temperatures and high humidity environments, especially in the absence of proper ventilation. Mold on clothing doesn't just cause mold on clothingDamage to the material, and more importantly, mold spores are very airborne and can cause allergic reactions in the respiratory system, such as asthma, if inhaled by children.
Practical advice
Make sure your clothes are dry before the evening, and if you must dry them at night, consider using a dryer or indoor drying area to reduce the chance of bacteria and mold growth.
Use a laundry detergent with antimicrobial properties to provide an extra layer of protection for your clothes.
Clean and disinfect the laundry area regularlyBalconies are included to keep the environment dry and clean.
When night falls, our city is not completely asleep. Pollutants generated by industrial emissions, automobile exhaust, and household life are easy to form a static layer at night due to the drop in temperature, the ground cools, and the air mobility is weakened, resulting in the difficulty of pollutant substances to diffuse, and they are relatively concentrated near the ground. These invisible contaminants,Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and inhalable particulate matter such as sulphur dioxide and inhalable particulate matter will silently land on laundry drying on balconies.
The fibers of clothing, especially natural materials such as cotton and wool, are prone to absorb these contaminants due to their good adsorption. When the child wears these clothes, especially the delicate baby,These pollutants may enter the body through contact, or be volatilized and inhaled during children's activities, causing health problems such as respiratory diseases and allergies.
As night falls, various pests and microorganisms become active. Mosquitoes, moths, spiders, etc., may inadvertently come into contact with or even lay eggs on dried clothing when searching for a habitat at night. In addition, the dewy, high-humidity environment at night provides ideal conditions for the growth of mold and bacteria. These microorganisms multiply on clothing, which may not only damage clothing, but more importantly, when children wear these clothing, they may cause ** diseases, such as eczema, dermatitis, etc.
To make matters worse, germs carried by certain pests can also be transmitted to children through clothing. For example, mosquitoes can be vectors of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which tend to have a higher incidence and severity in children.
Practical advice and precautions
To protect your child's health, there are several precautions we can take:
Avoid drying laundry at night:Try to dry your laundry during the day, especially in the sun, as UV rays can effectively kill bacteria and some viruses.
Use an indoor dryer: If conditions allow, you can use a household dryer to dry your clothes, reducing your chances of exposure to outdoor pollutants and pests.
Clean your balcony regularly: Keeping your balcony clean reduces the environment where pests inhabit it, while also reducing the deposition of pollutants.
Clothing protection measures: When drying clothes, you can use a sealed clothing cover to protect the clothing from contamination and pest contact.