Energy bills go up TOMORROW - meter read TODAY!

MovingForwards

I'm contemplating setting up a couple of rails in my boiler cupboard as it worked really well in a rental.

A spin cycle after the normal one, gets the clothes as dry as possible. They're flung over a clothes horse with the window partly open and sun streaming in. Winter the radiator is on very low in that room, window partly open in the day. Sheets are hung over doors. 

kimwp

I'd second a dehumidifier (I don't know the costs, but surely cheaper than a tumble dryer). If you can create a giant plastic bag around the drying rack and dehumidifier, it'll pretty much suck the water out of the clothes (NB they can end up a bit cardboard-y if you go at it too fast).  Also drier rooms take less energy to heat from memory.

EssexHebridean

Our dehumidifier used to cost under 25p a day to run - that would have been putting it on first thing in the morning and probably off again mid evening. that was also prior to the last round of cap increases though, we'll be thinking twice about putting it on for long periods of time going forwards! I'd also strongly suggest that they aren't suitable for being run while enclosed - they are a significant fire risk anyway particularly if the vents etc aren't kept clean and dust-free - I'm pretty sure ours have always said that they should have the vents left with plenty of airspace all round them though. 

KxMx

I'll be moving into a 1 bed flat within the next two years and one of my criteria will have to be kitchen space for a tumble dryer to use during winter, even with central heating.

All this talk of clothes, well what am I to do with 2x single sheets, bath sheet towel, dressing gown (giant fleece number for at least 5-6 months of the year),all washed weekly, single duvet cover as well once or twice a month. Oh and over winter I sit under a blanket on the couch to keep warm, that needs washing too occasionally.
Winter clothes themselves are also bigger, heavier and more numerous than summer clothes.

Changing sheets & towels weekly is basic hygiene so I can't exactly reduce the number of times I wash them.

If it was just clothes that needed drying i'm sure airing racks, a de humidifier and the few small radiators a flat would have would cut it over winter, but it isn't.

At least i'll be able to spend a bit more on a A rated appliance and only use it during winter, but a tumble dryer in my situation will be essential. I'm aware it'll be expensive but can't do without it. No line and very little drying space or even storage space for lots of racks.

During summer I am sure I can manage largely with 2 racks and a de humidfier. I only ever do 2 loads a week and can use doors for sheets etc. Just won't work over the winter.

kimwp

EssexHebridean said:

Our dehumidifier used to cost under 25p a day to run - that would have been putting it on first thing in the morning and probably off again mid evening. that was also prior to the last round of cap increases though, we'll be thinking twice about putting it on for long periods of time going forwards! I'd also strongly suggest that they aren't suitable for being run while enclosed - they are a significant fire risk anyway particularly if the vents etc aren't kept clean and dust-free - I'm pretty sure ours have always said that they should have the vents left with plenty of airspace all round them though. 

I felt that "without positioning the plastic to cause a fire risk" went without saying, but you're right that it should be said!

moving_forward

KxMx said:

I'll be moving into a 1 bed flat within the next two years and one of my criteria will have to be kitchen space for a tumble dryer to use during winter, even with central heating.

All this talk of clothes, well what am I to do with 2x single sheets, bath sheet towel, dressing gown (giant fleece number for at least 5-6 months of the year),all washed weekly, single duvet cover as well once or twice a month. Oh and over winter I sit under a blanket on the couch to keep warm, that needs washing too occasionally.
Winter clothes themselves are also bigger, heavier and more numerous than summer clothes.

Changing sheets & towels weekly is basic hygiene so I can't exactly reduce the number of times I wash them.

If it was just clothes that needed drying i'm sure airing racks, a de humidifier and the few small radiators a flat would have would cut it over winter, but it isn't.

At least i'll be able to spend a bit more on a A rated appliance and only use it during winter, but a tumble dryer in my situation will be essential. I'm aware it'll be expensive but can't do without it. No line and very little drying space or even storage space for lots of racks.

During summer I am sure I can manage largely with 2 racks and a de humidfier. I only ever do 2 loads a week and can use doors for sheets etc. Just won't work over the winter.

We use a heated airer for all the above  plus pet bedding etc  plus a three armed airer thingy and we have bigger loads being two obviously. It's not ideal as it's always up in the conservatory but takes up about the same footprint as a tumble drier and could go in an other room if in a flat.

Northern_Wanderer

KxMx said:

I'll be moving into a 1 bed flat within the next two years and one of my criteria will have to be kitchen space for a tumble dryer to use during winter, even with central heating.

All this talk of clothes, well what am I to do with 2x single sheets, bath sheet towel, dressing gown (giant fleece number for at least 5-6 months of the year),all washed weekly, single duvet cover as well once or twice a month. Oh and over winter I sit under a blanket on the couch to keep warm, that needs washing too occasionally.
Winter clothes themselves are also bigger, heavier and more numerous than summer clothes.

Changing sheets & towels weekly is basic hygiene so I can't exactly reduce the number of times I wash them.

If it was just clothes that needed drying i'm sure airing racks, a de humidifier and the few small radiators a flat would have would cut it over winter, but it isn't.

At least i'll be able to spend a bit more on a A rated appliance and only use it during winter, but a tumble dryer in my situation will be essential. I'm aware it'll be expensive but can't do without it. No line and very little drying space or even storage space for lots of racks.

During summer I am sure I can manage largely with 2 racks and a de humidfier. I only ever do 2 loads a week and can use doors for sheets etc. Just won't work over the winter.

I probably do about 6 loads of washing in a week. No tumble drier. I have two foldable three tier airers with a flat drying area on top. I wash in the morning so that the washing gets the benefit of the heating during the day or sun outside. I do my washing throughout the week so that I have enough space to hang my stuff at all times. Bedding gets draped over the top of airer and you can have some stuff hanging under it too. I never hang sheets around my house. Although I am at home mostly so my system might not suit people out most of the day. My mother has always done ALL her washing at the weekend and has washing everywhere! That would drive me nuts.

There are lots of options for airers, ceiling hung, wall hung, foldable, heated and hopefully something that could fit your new place. Beds changed every 1-1.5 weeks and bedding and towels washed at 60C - not going to change that.

I have found the ECO setting on my machine which I never used before, so am using that now. The cycle takes about 10 minutes longer but apparently saves energy.

KxMx

Some great ideas here!

A heated airer is definitely a good option, over the winter I could use that plus dehumidifier for one load of clothes/small items and then a TD for one weekly load of sheets, bath sheet towel, big fleecy dressing gown and duvet cover (monthly for that).
Would save the expense of running a tumble dryer twice a week, really don't see how in a small 1 bed flat (where I will be home most of the time) I can dry all that I will need to, especially over winter, without.
I would definitely try though in the summer to make do with just airer and dehumidfier.

moving_forward

As there's only one of you put the airer (not a heated one with power cord obviously) in the bathroom once you showered. Either in bath or shower. Then open window. No dehumidifier required then!

moving_forward

The large three tier airer we have has enough space to put bath sheet folded in two on bottom flat. Use second for duvet cover. Top for dressing gown or hang on coat hanger on shower rail door frame etc. Then two single sheets over the top using the handle as an extra rail. We do a load almost daily.

1. All towels 
2. Bedding

3. Light load

4. Dark load

5. Dark load.
6 and 7 extras like dog bedding or blanket throws etc. 
Single sheets or towels could also be folded to hook over a trouser hanger but would take a bit longer to dry.