Washer-dryers versus standard w. machines - any views?

jackyann

Not everyone has an airing cupboard (aka hot press) and it makes a huge difference. Whenever I've had one, I've never used a tumble dryer.

I bought one (as I said above) when I lived in an unheated house with 'instant' hot water heaters. It then followed me, I said that 'I might need it for emergencies'. It then spent 20 years unused (except for neighbours' emergencies!) as I had a good roomy airing cupboard, and an unheated 'conservatory'.
Even with children in nappies and a junior rugby team's washing, I still managed without it. Maximum spin - outside / large airer in the conservatory - airing cupboard.
In the spring I had to wash the conservatory down well, but really it was a means of insulating the house and bringing on a few plants - it was never intended as a nice place to sit, as some are.

Rachiedabbler70

I just have a washer and hang washing out all year round getting it about 80 - 90% dry in winter and then finish on radiators. I never put clothes on radiators straight from washer as don't like idea of damp.

My system is - I have a rotary airer with rain proof cover on and firmly concreted spike into ground so that I can peg washing out on really windy days and it dries fast. Whole set up cost me £45 including concrete, airer and cover - hopefully last a few years. I've never had a tumble dryer in 25 years of owning a house.

I've thought about building an outdoor drying shed - overlapping lattice design with felt roof, but will see how long current system lasts first as building a shed may cost £100 or so. 3 in household. Hope this helps. :j

boliston

Amazingly quite a few residential developments have clothes line bans - this has got to be the craziest rule if people put "prettiness" over and above our environment.

It goes alongside rules like you can keep a gas guzzling 4x4 in your parking space but god help you if you park a bicycle on your private balcony.