Grown woman, can't use a tumble dryer...

Shona_3

Hello I am a long time lurker... (like 2 years). I love this site! I love using the tips and rave about them to my friends, who think I am a bit daft. I thought I would ask something I have been meaning to for ages.

Really dumb question I know but how do I properly use my tumble drier?
Got a washer dryer in my new house 18 months ago (my washine machine left in old house) as we were expecting my daughter and thought it would be useful.
Initially we had to get an engineer out as it was making a burning smell when used. After that was sorted, the few (3) times I have used it the clothes came out with creases so badly set in them I couldn't get them out after repeated washing and ironing (and I hate to iron!).
Now that the winter is coming in and a second baby on the way I would like to have the option of using it...esp as I would like to use cloth nappies.
Did I leave the clothes in too long?
How full should it be?
How long to clothes normally take?
Do the clothes need to be taken out when warm and folded quick to avoid creases?

Thanks in advance for all the wisdom!

PS I did check the mega index first but didn't find any beginners guides. Did discover how to get dog wee out of my carpet though (dog was spayed yesterday and disgraced herself when still a bit wobbly poor thing)...

nodwah

Hi there, I don't have a washer dryer myself, just separates, but I do what youv'e said: take stuff out before it's completely dry, fold it and put it on the radiator for a wee while and it doesn't need ironing usually.
Having said that I try not to use the TD too much as it's so expensive to use but sometimes in the winter there's no alternative. I usually put towels in for just 15 mins to fluff them up before putting them on the line - I hate scratchy cardboard towels.
Also I don't let DH near it as he puts things in for 4 hours on hot and they come out with permanent creases so I have to wash stuff again!

Justamum

Years ago I rented a house which had a washer dryer in it, but I wasn't impressed. Maybe they have improved over the years. All we used to get at the end of a complete cycle was steaming wet washing!

Anyway, the best thing is not to pack your dryer to full, then try and remove and fold/hang away the clothes as soon as possible after they have dried. I find if I leave things in too long afterwards they do develop creases, but if they are taken out straight away or at least while still warm they tend not to be too bad. Things like pure cotton will probably still have creases in though, but not too bad if you take them out still warm. Ironing should sort it out though. If I hang clothes outside to dry I usually put them in the dryer for about 20 minutes to get rid of any residual dampness, and it also gets rid of most of the creasing which hung up clothes tend to get. I hardly ever iron!

foreversomeday

Washer Dryers tend to be worse than separate tumble driers. We live in a flat and don't have a key for our balcony door (!) so often our only option is to tumble dry stuff, but it's still damp when you take it out. I usually take the washing out, remove anything that can't be tumble dried, and then put the rest back in in 2-3 lots for 40 mins each.

Shona_3

Thanks folks, sounds like I may have had the temp too high and left them in too long...
I hope not to use it too often, we have a brilliant pulley in our kitchen but our (came with the house) whirly washing line is under a massive tree, we use it all the time (scottish weather permitting) but it does tend to be covered in leaves, bird droppings, dripping sap etc. Would love to put up a proper straight line but the only place is in the front garden.

geralddlp

we recently shopped for tumble dryer, I was surpised to find that some washer dryers cannot dry a full load, so you either need to wash half loads or wash then take half out, tumble dry that then put the other half in to dry.
It's possible you have one of these beasts ?

If so try smaller loads or drying in smaller batches,


cheers G

trying-very-trying

Shona, I'm assuming because you said it is a wash/dryer it has a condensing action for the dryer. I had one of these 19years ago when dd no2 was born, I hated the dryer part of it. Now things have progressed, I know, but I always found them too hot.
The dryer won't take a whole washload, usually about a half load.
And yes it is better to take them out and fold when still warm.
I also dry almost everything on low heat setting, yes it does take a bit longer, but I've been told is more energy efficient- it uses half the electric, but doesn't take twice as long, about 50% longer than on high.

Nodwah, if you dry your towels on the line first, then td on low for the 15mins, your towels still come out soft, and uses less electric.

Shona_3

If condensing action means not a silver pipe going out the window like my mums then yes.
Wish we had got seperate ones to be honest, seems like an extravagance now to get a sep tumble dryer so will give it another chance over the weekend.
It def takes a smaller load than the washer, more than half though.
These are all good tips, ta!