Spin dryers - anyone got one?

Dingbat

I also inherited a spin drier, yes it does need to be loaded evenly and if you have one with a grid-type guard to sit inside the top of the drum it can prevent the washing from escaping. I find this great for underwear (anything underwired or delicate that might be damaged in a washing machine is a little bit less at risk in a spin-drier). It's an old spinner and still going strong, though it's low mileage since it's lived with me (the automatic does most of my washing and I wait until I have a reasonable load to hand wash)

Before I had this, I'd use a salad spinner to take the excess water out of hand washing - though if I hand washed anything bulky (like a sweater), the salad spinner might have struggled, so I'd roll it in a towel and jump on it. I'd go for it for all the reasons others have given, good luck! :T

Dingbat

in the drought of seventy twiddly-bonk my mum took the used water from her twin tum up the stairs to the bath. Dad had rigged up a system from the bath outflow using an old spin dryer motor which propelled the water up the garden to the vegetable patch every evening, so we had automated water recycling then.

We had plenty of runner beans though the lettuce did seem to taste of soap.....

Steve-o

Sounds like you need a mangle.

camNolliesMUMMY

If It was me I'd just use the washing machine on the rinse n spin cycle if that's all it needs. The cost in electric n man power I'd say use the cycle or just use the spin when had washing. To me it'd be a little pointless buying one just to spin when your washer should do a pin cycle n it's own in between 5-10 mins.
Yes it won't get out as much water but still mse
Just thought I'd mention it.

duchy

They seem to be one of those things that end up on freecycle a lot as people get one thinking it's a good idea and then decide it is too labour intensive and want rid.

If I had a big enough kitchen I'd definitely get one - but we used ours a lot at home when I was a kid and I think it's one of those things that if you haven't used it before you're surprised at the extra time and effort it uses - but if you are used to it-you don't even think about it and just do it.

Keepjust_in_case

I've used a spin drier for nearly 50 years and think they are invaluable. I don't have a tumble drier so need to get as much water as possible out of the washing when drying indoors. I don't have a 'posh' kitchen, so mine is in a cupboard next to the washing machine! My mum always had a spin- drier too, and when she passed away in 1998 I kept hers and stored it, I'm glad I did because now I'm using it as mine 'gave up' on me earlier this year!!! I can switch it off when I think enough water has come out, especially delicate items. Wouldn't be without one.

luxor4t

My mother has a spindryer, and uses it regularly. Once you have the knack of loading it, it does a brilliant job.
I can remember the racks of rubbery grids in the electrical spares shops - we got into awful trouble in Uni when a pair of pants escaped down the side and tangled in the motor because the grid had been lost!

I loved my twin-tub washing machine, I remember thinking how wasteful of water the 'new' washing machines were ... and also, not wanting to put DH's socks etc in with mine

Sorting the washing was a real art in those days - you had to know the fabrics well!

Joy.joy_2

Always spin my washing after removing from the washing machine, amazing how much water it produces. I live in a flat and dry my washing in the bathroom and do not have and do not want a dryer.

When I inherited my mother's spinner I also kept mine!

Best piece of equipment .

suzybloo

Well I bought one, £75 off amazon, and I have been really pleased with the results, I can see it being used often. One thing I do like is getting the washing over and done with, you can be spinning your hand wash/lights while the automatic takes care of the heavier stuff, not having to wait ages on the automatic doing another load. Out of interest I spun OH work clothes, jeans, boiler suit, etc and got about an extra half-3/4 pint of water out of them, which will be a bonus in the winter. Loading it evenly takes practice, but having a twin tub years ago, and folding things for minimum creasing is a help to.

Would I buy one again - yes
Does it take up much room - no 12x12x30 inches approx, so goes in the cupboard
Is washing drier -yes
Will it pay for itself - yes, through time, two to three load less per week in big machine, and a lot less time in the drier.
To wash rinse and spin one load - average 15 mins, but I soak items in lidded bucket beforehand.
Other benefits - goodness wont be washed out of blouses, jumpers, good clothes, also be handy for the wee lad starting school to hand wash his clothes as we go rather than building up big wash,

In all I am pleased with it, and for me it is a buy that I think will be beneficial to our household :-)

Cheers for your replies

Battie

Hi all - it might take a little longer to load and spin, but the difference it makes is truly amazing. Stuff hung up afterwards dries indoors in just a few hours even in the colder months and you don't have to put them over radiators, in fact it's best to keep those free so the heat and air circulate - if you shake the clothes a couple of times hard as soon as you get them out and put them on hangers, they practically dry crease-free too!

Also, I've found that hanging stuff seems to get it dry quicker than draping over airers (I've tried both methods), must have something to do with air flow? Especially if you hang upstairs (I hook mine over the door frames) where the heat rises and space them out a bit so they're not resting against each other.

Anyone not sure if they have room, they take up about the same space as a large pedal-bin. I wouldn't be without mine now. Spun stuff dries in no time outside too - and it is worth doing even for that, by the time I've got the next machine load ready, I'm bringing the first lot in! I have tried the twice-spin in the washing machine instead but found that didn't get as much water out and took a lot longer in the machine.