I wanna stop using my tumble dryer!

Sugarhunny1

Evening people,

Not sure if i'm posting this in the right forum but im sure some of you peeps on here will have the answer. Or is it just Smarties that have the answer?

I live in a flat which has a shared garden. Now unfortunatly (sp) the local dogs use it as a toilet and its not in any fit shape to be walking about and putting washing out (and i dont know if i would have any shopping to come back to, i dont live in a great area)

I have lived here for 7 years and always used the tumble dryer to dry things, i want to cut this right down and start hanging it on a dryer.

Thing is..... how do i stop it drying like cardboard? I use softner but it doesnt seem to make a difference.

Would like you advice/tips.

Thanks for listening!

Sugar xxx

buxtonrabbitgreen

When I have to dry my washing inside I hang it on the airing horse by an open window, that seems to make it a little less carboard like.

lil_me

I have an over the bath airer, I got it in Tesco, it doesn't fasten to the wall just stands on the bath, works great. I also have another freestanding airer which I use a lot too. Next to an open window helps them stop going crispy, as does leaving space in between items. Resist from putting too close to radiators as this makes them crispy aswell.

mouseymousey99

Hi SH - could you perhaps ask your landlord or the other people who live there to help tidy up the garden? Maybe others would like to use it too? Its probably something you are paying for...
best wishes

Sugarhunny1

Hi mousey,

Yea i tried doing that and what a fight i had on my hands!

I contacted my local health visitor and mentioned to her that my kids had no where to play, she wrote me a letter to my HA. They applied for funding from Community Scotland and i was awarded £500 towards segregating the back yard (98% of properties around here already have this) Then they consulted my neighbours who agreed (if they wanted thiers done they would have to pay) to this being done. This took approx 2 years, then they started to dig holes to put posts in and the neighbours COMPLAINED!

So in the end we are no further forward.

Its my kids i feel sorry for, they have no garden (thats usable) and we live on a main street, my kids dont get out to play without me being there. Kept awake at night by the yobs outside.

But on the plus side we are all healthy and appreciate life and have some fab days out. Shame the neighbours dont think the same.

I'll invest in an airer and hope it doesnt dry out like cardboard.

Would people recommend an over the bath one or a stand alone one?

Sugar xxx

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, Sugar! I've never had a tumble drier, don't use fabric conditioner, and my washing isn't like cardboard.

I like to dry outide when I can, as it makes the clothes smell so nice, though I see that's not an option for you atm.

We also have a creel in the kitchen. It's one of those Vicorian airers, that is fixed to the ceiling, and raised and lowered on 2 pulleys. Everything dries on that in less than 12 hours, even in winter, and we don't keep our house really warm.

HTH, Penny. x

Linda32

Hello,

I have a tumble dryer but hardly ever use it, about twice a year.

I can hang out washing, but when I can't like now, the washing sits in its basket and I use a airer in the spare room. The washing takes about 24 hours to dry.

The towels are a little hard but soon soften up once ironed and used .

I don't use fabric softener as I honestly can't tell the difference.

lil_me

I prefer my over bath one as it doesn't get in the way. You only use the bath at bath time where as one stood in a room can get right in the way. Especially if you have kids who end up using it as a tent and dragging the laundry on the floor!

This is the one I bought in my local Tesco Extra store http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-4450.aspx

henmuffin

I have read that adding a cupful of white vinegar to your washing acts as a fabric softener. I haven't tried it though

iceicebaby

I use the ones that hook over the radiators. things dry quickly on these even if the radiators are not on.

Zed42

Ok, here's my offering...

I don't use fabric conditioner per se, I use white vinegar and what it does is cut the washing powder (liquid) residue which helps the clothes (etc.) from becoming hard .... in addition, a quick shake of the clothes prior to hanging them on an airer makes a hell of a difference to the hardness factor, and yes, I did a sad experiment one night where I shook some, hung some out in the garden, and didn't .... the shake and hang works. ...... nothing obviously beats the tumble dryer, except the expense .... wibble!