Ditching the tumble dryer - yes or no?

Mips

I have a very posh condensor tumble dryer which was very expensive and I love it - I use it for everything.

Our Gas/Elec bills are absolutely shocking and I know we could save money.

I have 5 of us in the family, 3 small children and 2 adults. There is alot of washing, alot of bedding being washed regularly and I have the tumble dryer on 3-5 times every day.

This is crazy isn't it? Surely thats costing us a fortune?

How else could I dry all the clothes though in Winter?!

I am debating putting it on Freecycle to get rid so I can't be tempted but my husband would freak out if I did that :rotfl:

Any

Dippychick wrote: »

I have a very posh condensor tumble dryer which was very expensive and I love it - I use it for everything.

Our Gas/Elec bills are absolutely shocking and I know we could save money.

I have 5 of us in the family, 3 small children and 2 adults. There is alot of washing, alot of bedding being washed regularly and I have the tumble dryer on 3-5 times every day.

This is crazy isn't it? Surely thats costing us a fortune?

How else could I dry all the clothes though in Winter?!

I am debating putting it on Freecycle to get rid so I can't be tempted but my husband would freak out if I did that :rotfl:

I am sorry to say this but having tumble dryer on 3-5 times A DAY for 5 people is completely stupid.
I wan an au-pair in a house with 4 adults and a child and our tumble dryer was on only once a day!!
I understand that the day when you change your bedding is the worse, but it might be worth it change every day different one and put it on over night if you are on tariff that is cheaper at night. That's what we did when I was an au-pair.

Magentasue

I think it all comes down to what you can afford and what you'd rather spend your money on.

Between April and October, I dry my washing outside 95% of the time. Winter, I use the tumble drier. We are a family of six (adults and teens) and the drier gets used on average once a day. It costs me 22p an hour.

When money has been tighter, I've dried everything on airers and just finished off in the tumble drier or over radiators. Also, as a hangover from poorer times, I'm a bit careful about washing. I go through the washing before loading and often fold up stuff that I know only got worn for an hour and put it in the putting away pile. Bedding gets washed once a week or less often depending on who's asking. It also cut down my washing when, fed up with throwing hissy fits about clothes on the floor, I went round picking up and putting in drawers with clean clothes. I even went as far as pairing up dirty socks and putting them away. Funnily enough, it was this that had the greatest effect in changing my teens' ways.

Things have slid a bit - maybe I should have another go at that!

Spendless

Will be watching this thread with interest as I wish to reduce our usage too. I have come to the conclusion that my kids have too many clothes, meaning they take stuff off which is still wearable for another day and dump in laundry basket- cos there's loads of other clothes in their wardrobe. So I have loads of washing, which leads me to being dis-organised about getting washing done ready to hang out. So starting next week when they are back at school I am getting rid of some clothes, dd is out-growing size 4-5 and ds has a couple of barely fitting 7-8 stuff. This is going in recycling/charity bags. I have an idea in my mind of how many items of certain clothing they need and will be sticking to it. After school they ARE getting changed;) which will save uniform for another wear, instead of getting tea all over it.:rolleyes:

I need to get an indoor clothes horse, but not sure which yet and in the winter months will be using this- maybe in the conservatory with radiator on in winter.

moonrakerz

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=13651749#post13651749

Additionally I would say that 5 loads a day is extreme !........but............ a load probably costs 20-25p, 5 loads a day is £1.25 a day - how much of your total electricity bill is that ?

Gordon_T_2

Have you thought about changing it for a gas powered tumbler? They are quite inexpensive to run compared to electric and seem to be quicker at drying. Less time on is money saved.

Glittermonkey

I bought a tumble drier when my DD was born. I used it when she was first born (winter baby) but cant say I have used it much since and shes nearly 6!

I put my washing on over night, then either hang it out in the morning before work or if the weather isn't good, then it comes inside on clothes horse.

I only really get 1 load per day done but find I only have to to do 4 per week - darks, whites, towels and bedding.

When she returns to school, its even less. Uniform all day and pj's straight after school so she doesnt even wear her proper clothes.

So, I think it's time for the tumble to go.