Do I need to buy a dehumidifier?

Kim_kim

I have my washer & tumble dryer in my spare room - the tumble dryer is a condenser.

I don’t like using the tumble dryer for ordinary clothing - I use it for sheets/towels/underwear. I think it shrinks clothes or makes them “funny”.

I permanently keep the little window open & I have no signs of any problems - I must admit I like it warm & tend to keep the house pretty hot in winter.
I got some of those damp catchers recently and it’s picked up about an inch of water in a month. I’ve no idea if that’s a lot or not.

Am I storing up problems? Should I buy an electric dehumidifier?
If so are there different kinds?
Also are they on timers? Would I put it on for 24 hours after hanging up washing or what?

jennifernil

I think you should stop worrying about using your tumble dryer it will not shrink your clothes or make them "funny"

We use a tumble dryer all the time and have no problems with it, ours is a vented one. Our DD has a condenser type and also uses it all the time without a problem.

I tend to use it so that things are not 100% dry, things like shirts, T shirts and jeans, then hang them up to finish drying, that way they are not all creased afterwards.

I also put things like sheets and duvet covers on radiators to finish drying as we have a very dry house. If we did not, then I might consider a dehumidifier, but not just for drying washing. For that we would rather use the tumble dryer.

Doom_and_Gloom

Tumble driers are bad for clothes etc, they ruin them faster - that lint tray gives you the reason to the item being ruined!

I'm not sure if that is a lot of moisture however we wouldn't be without our dehumidifier. It's on right now, smart mode, and is on most the day in winter. Due to the smart mode it may be on but not always working if you understand.

What is a little window? If you have heating on you are losing heat through an open window and paying to do so. Moisture and heat are the perfect breeding grounds for micro organism (say hello allergies and asthma like conditions or worsening), bugs, mild, higher chance of short circuit occurring etc

Kim_kim

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

Tumble driers are bad for clothes etc, they ruin them faster - that lint tray gives you the reason to the item being ruined!

I'm nor sure if that is a lot of moisture however we wouldn't be without our dehumidifier. It's on right now, smart mode, and is on most the day in winter. Due to the smart mode it may be on but not always working if you understand.

What is a little window? If you have heating on you are losing heat through an open window and paying to do so. Moisture and heat are the perfect breeding grounds for miso organism (say hello allergies and asthma like conditions or worsening), bugs, mild, higher chance of short circuit occurring etc

You know the little vent window. It’s about 2 foot by 8 inches.

I take it you recommend them then? What one do you recommend?

Kim_kim

jennifernil wrote: »

I think you should stop worrying about using your tumble dryer it will not shrink your clothes or make them "funny"

We use a tumble dryer all the time and have no problems with it, ours is a vented one. Our DD has a condenser type and also uses it all the time without a problem.

I tend to use it so that things are not 100% dry, things like shirts, T shirts and jeans, then hang them up to finish drying, that way they are not all creased afterwards.

I also put things like sheets and duvet covers on radiators to finish drying as we have a very dry house. If we did not, then I might consider a dehumidifier, but not just for drying washing. For that we would rather use the tumble dryer.

Tumble dryers do ruin some items.

CakeCrusader

All clothes give off little fibres, lots of of them go down thee drain during washing. Dryers do shrink clothes a little so it's important not to overdry them. As for condensation, condenser dryers collect water in a tub which is emptied so it shouldn't cause any condensation at all.

jennifernil

Only those which are marked as not being suitable for tumble drying.

Personally, I have nothing that cannot be tumble dried, but our DD and DIL do have a few things that they prefer to hang up to dry.

jennifernil

Our DD has a dehumidifier, but only because she needed
to dry out some plaster and plaster board following leaks from the property above, for drying washing she uses the tumble dryer.

If you wish to hang up things to dry, then a dehumidifier would certainly help.

jennifernil

A dehumidifier can be set to attain a certain humidity level, that would include the room it is in, not just the washing hanging up.

You could also buy and use a simple timer with it.

DD got hers from Screwfix, but there are lots on the market.

[Deleted User]

I use a heat pump (therefore condenser) tumble dryer. I don't have the heating on that much, but have yet to see water condensing on my windows. I haven't noticed any damage to clothes I didn't see before. It saves me a fortune on ironing (and time). The clothes that come out are softer than those I occasionally dry outside the house.

Clothes that are damaged are more often damaged by washing them on too hot a wash. Now I wash on a 30 degrees wash, I just don't see any bubbling etc.

Carrot007

jennifernil wrote: »

I think you should stop worrying about using your tumble dryer it will not shrink your clothes or make them "funny"

Well it will if used incorrectly. Shove it on max for everything and you are onto a loser.


On the other hand pay attention to the settings and it wil be fine.


Much like anything it needs to be used properly.