drying clothes

paddy's_mum

I sometimes wish that there was such a thing as an annual MOT for privately rented houses!

Primrose

Could you fix up one of those Argos retractable 4-line washing lines in the kitchen? If you hung up the clothes in there overnight they would probably be virtually dry by morning. Also on some occasions I've speeded up the drying process by partially ironing some heavier items dry. I either iron them directly with the iron on them, or steam-ironing them by putting a clean tea towel/giant handkerchief over them first and then ironing. The heat actually removes quite a lot of moisture from clothes by this method.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8501154/Trail/searchtext%3EINDOOR+LINE.htm

gmgmgm

kezlou wrote: »

5) the only form of heating we have in our house over than clothing, sleeping bags,etc is gas central heating not good when heat off the radiators causes more condensation.

what else actually am i supposed to do other than what i am doing e.g cleaning the mould, investing in dehumidifiers, putting in MORE ventilation, having windows open in winter which in fact makes my astma worse.Trying NOT to use the heating because it makes the condensation worse

Gas central heating radiators do not cause condensation. I don't know what gives you reason to believe this. A gas fire does cause condensation, but that's rather different.

ixwood is giving you great advice: my brief input is that hesitating to use your central heating, coupled with "my house looking like a laundrette" are probably just about the perfect conditions for the house to feel damp. Best of luck in fixing the situation.

Budgeting_mum

I have 2 children and have started drying with 2 airers. One load per airer, so I can have 2 loads drying at once. I am lucky in that I have the space for both.

Like a previous poster, I have also been getting damp and mould issues. I have bought an inexpensive (about 100) dehumidifier which seems to help. This is cheaper to run than my tumble drier which I now only use in emergencies (e.g. when the children are sick!).

I switched from using the tumble drier 100% of the time because I monitored my electricity meter for 1 month when using it and for 1 month without using it. This halved my electricity units for the month which really shocked me.

If you are willing to pay to run a tumble drier but can't afford a new one, can you look on Ebay for a secondhand one in your area or for somewhere that will rent you one monthly?

I think if you haven't got much ventilation and want to air dry though, that you will need a way to dehumidify.

pompeii

Earlier in the year we bought a dehumidifier from B&Q for about £50 we have an unheated spare/storage room downstairs that is below ground level at the back so can get musty, it is quite surprising just how much water the dehumidifier collects.

We have a tumble dryer but after the last price hike in fuel charges we decided only to use it when we had too much drying hanging about. I bought a clothes dryer from ikea for about £12 it holds 2 wash loads, it probably takes about 24 hours to completely dry all the clothes. we keep it in the hallway have to squeeze past it to go upstairs but beyond that no real inconvenience and no problems with damp, my washer does spin at 1600 so the clothes are not dripping when they go on it.

I had 4 children under 6 year and i remember the amount of washing they create, i hope you find a way to resolve your problems, parent them in your own way and enjoy their childhoods they only get one.

swampduck

Do you have a laundrette local to you? For the short term this might be an ideal solution - do your washing at home - then extra spin and tumble drier at the laundrette. Does away with having to dry everything indoors and aggravating the familys' health issues.
I realise that some people will say this is not very MSE but in my opinion this is no worse than paying extra on the electric for running a tumble dryer or dehumidifier!!

Swampy

savingmummy

I have 2 young children in a small flat and indoors around meal times they get stripped down to underwear saves me loads of washing!! I have a tumble drier but due to electric bills i only use it as and when.
I use a clothes airer and have never had a problem with damp or condensation.
It may be an idea for you to get a cheap tumble if you are worried about health etc.

Regarding what the council said to you, we were told the same in a way, we were also told that as we are full payers we are less priority for rehoming - madness!x