No drying washing in rented house?

Lagoon

tim123456789 wrote: »

Jeez. I just leave mine to dry naturally. Takes a bit longer but costs nothing

tim

You're saying 'jeez' because we do things differently? Really?

How dare we?

bristol_pilot

tim123456789 wrote: »

Jeez. I just leave mine to dry naturally. Takes a bit longer but costs nothing

tim

It will eventually cost you (or someone) to repair the consendation damage throughout the house. This could mean redecorating, or worst case scenario having to replaster, replace floorboards and rotten window frames/sills.

Damp laundry after spinning contains about 50% moisture by weight, this moisture has to go somewhere. It is usually the biggest source of moisture within a home - where there is a condensation problem it is almost always down to drying laundry indoors.

Drying outside is cheapest, but if working full-time and with typical British weather is not always possible especially in winter. I like the look of the rotaire - hadn't seen that before.

A tumble dryer is an obvious indoor drying solution and the modern condenser ones do not use as much electricity as older models nor do they require a hole to be drilled in the wall for venting. (It goes without saying that a venting tumble dryer must be vented to outside the property, not inside!). If there is insufficient space for a tumble dryer, the washing machine could be replaced with a washer/dryer. The modern ones work perfectly well, the urban myth that they are not as good as two machines is past its sell-by date. This may not be an option for tenants, however.

The other main option is a dehumidifer. These are usually cheaper to run than a tumble drier and may be more suitable for tenants. If using a dehumidifier, it is essential to place the laundry on an airer with the dehumidifier in a room with the window closed. Do not dry the laundry on a radiator - the rate of evaporation is so high that a dehumidifier will not be able to cope and you will get condensation on the fabric of the property. You are also likely to damage the radiators (rusting from the outside inwards) leading eventually to having to replace them.

Drying 'naturally' on an airer risks condensation and should only be done for a small quantity of laundry in summer when it is feasible to have windows open on both sides of the house to create a through-draught. Not something to be done in winter unless you want to have the heating on and the windows open which is the most expensive option of the lot.

J_i_m

To be honest.. I've always dried my laundry indoors on an clothes horse and I have never had a problem doing so.

Is it possible some mountains have been made of molehills?

tim123456789

Lagoon wrote: »

You're saying 'jeez' because we do things differently? Really?

How dare we?

No, I'm saying it because you have your heating on in Summer to achieve it.

It must make the house bloody uncomfortable, ignoring the cost

tim

fionajbanana

My ex and I had a rented property and said no indoor clothes drying. We did dry our clothes inside as people had their washing nicked if they hung it outside.

We put the washing in the guest bedroom and let the window open on the locked crack all year round. No mould. I would limit at two washloads drying at a time.

If the LL or agent want to to an inspection visit, don't do any washing until they have gone away. Plus hide the airers under the bed or in a cupboard.

This is the airer I use and I can put my double duvet cover, pillowcases and undersheet on these and can put 9 items of clothing. For socks and underwear, get one of these and either clip it on the airer or inside the airing cupboard.

Sheel

fionajbanana wrote: »

This is the airer I use and I can put my double duvet cover, pillowcases and undersheet on these and can put 9 items of clothing. For socks and underwear, get one of these and either clip it on the airer or inside the airing cupboard.

Your links don't work for me.

killielila

it sees to be the Go to thing for our LA to say if anyone complains about dampness in houses not that the house need better damp proofing etc just that you dry your clothes indoors !

G_M

killielila wrote: »

it sees to be the Go to thing for our LA to say if anyone complains about dampness in houses not that the house need better damp proofing etc just that you dry your clothes indoors !

9 times out of 10 the cause of damp/mould is internally generated condensation.

Yes, occassionally there is a structural problem (eg leaking gutters making a wall damp and causing 'penetrating damp' ('rising damp' is very rare, if it exists at all).

In flats, particularly smaller, well-insulated modern ones, condensation is a common problem.

ps:

G_M, for a long term member your comment was really, really useful...

even we long term members need a chuckle from time to time!

freeisgood

Just some ideas your way:
Drying large items such as sheets and towels on a rack would take forever and make the flat very damp. Is it not possible for your daughter to use a laundry service, pick up and drop of from home, they actually can be quite cheap, or failing that a laundry service wash near or on her way from work. Smaller items could be dried in the bathroom, a room designed for wetness so minimal condensation. I have to say, with two boys, that would be at least 5 loads a week.

Did you say she had a garden? Maybe get a small shed or one of those covered plastic greenhouses with a (outdoor)power lead into it, and stick the tumble in there?

onlyroz

Dehumidifiers are excellent - with one I can get a whole rack of washing dry in a day (i.e. hang up in the morning and it's dry by bedtime) whereas without it the washing would take 3 days or so to dry completely. I also think it's better for your health if you dry the clothes in your bedroom.