Tumble dryers

nannaC

Hi do you have space to put up an old fashioned rack. Our's is an old Victorian one and hung from the kitchen ceiling. I can fit nearly a full washer load at a time on it [my current washer is an LG 7kg]. Have never had a dryer, even when our 3 children were teenagers, simply used my rack and a couple of maidens. You have to be careful though of cooking smells. Alternatively you could hang it upstairs on the landing if you have room, it would be out of the way and as hot air rises, would dry clothes quite quickly.

fizzel81

i love the idea of that but there really is no space, this house is mega tiny (my front door is a mtr (approx) away from the stairs! and the landing is no bigger than 1mtrx 1mte (approx) finding the lack of space a problem hence why i already dry some in my room

winter is going to be a challenge

Olliebeak

Have you tried those over-the-radiator rails - great for socks/underwear - even in the warmer months when heating is switched off. I got mine in Wilkos - 3 in a pack for around £1.99 - may have gone up a bit in price.

Do you have a bannister rail? I can dry a king-size duvet cover (or 2 singles) on mine overnight. I'm also a great believer in upright airers - seriously thinking of getting a 2nd one for us and there's only two of us here (unless one of the grandkids is doing a sleep-over).

Over the door hooks are great for hanging a coathanger on with maybe a blouse/shirt - even on the inside of cupboard doors. And when push comes to shove, throw sheets over the top of doors for an evening/day or so - they will dry out.

Have you seen these:

http://www.jmldirect.com/product.asp?pf_id=D2001&gclid=CPHAjtqaxpMCFQ8vQgodo1eODA

Don't forget that not all things need to be 'bone-dry' before ironing! Some things actually iron better while still slightly damp.

the_cat

I find that a fast spin in the washing machine does wonders for the length of time clothes take to dry. I nearly always use a quick wash cycle to save energy (spin speed on this is only 1000), but always put a fast spin (mine is 1400) on as well before taking the clothes out. I do this on all fabrics including delicates with no problems and it means that in the winter clothes will dry in one day easily on an airer in my bedroom.
HTH

belfastgirl23

With global warming you might find this becomes less of a problem

Seriously though even in winter this year I still managed to dry most of my clothes outside, as long as you have a bit of a breeze they will dry eventually...I don't know if it's just me or if it really does seem to be raining less....

SomethingWitty_2

I had a condensing tumble dryer in my old property (rented at £12/mth as we were poor students), it was a Creda "simplicity" i believe, and it was fantastic. The current washer/dryer combi we have is awful in every way! In order to get the best out of it though i would use fabric softener in the wash or a drying sheet (e.g. Bounce, but get the cheap pound shop ones), seemed to reduce the drying time. I don't know whether dryer balls work, I've heard good things and bad things they sound a bit dubious to me... anyone know if they're any good or not?

Also most definitely worth it is as the above poster said putting the washing machine on for an extra "spin only" cycle at the max speed, really does reduce drying time considerably. Quick wash cycles will save money too. But the spin cycle thing really works!

As for drying indoors, upright racks by radiators are good, dehumidifiers are good (but bit pricey), also maybe try using the passive "dehumidifiers" you can get from pound shops, which are basically tubs of silica gel that absorb moisture. someone told me you can make your own (slightly less efficient) ones using rice and salt in 1:1 ratio in a tupperware without a lid, covered in muslin or thin paper. I've no idea how effective they are with clothes but they do the trick in bathrooms, by damp walls, etc. I've no idea if thats a good idea or not just a thought really!

Either way the board seems to have thrown up some fab ideas- i'm living in tiny flat trying to get used to the drying clothes everywhere so good ideas are welcome! I would also warn you that drying clothes in your kitchen might lead to cooking smells- thats what ive found anyway.Sorry for mega post!

HTH,
SW

Lemon_Tree

i can sympathise with you, i'm in a one bed flat with damp and heating that just doesn't work so that makes drying in winter a challenge. I've got 3 airers and have learnt not to overload each one, as one load over two airers drys better than all of it on one airer. I do have a dehumidifer which i run during cheap elec overnight to try and dry the flat out. It's more than paid for itself just by saving me turning the storage heaters on so much to try and get the rooms hot. I do have a small tumble dryer which i only use for bedding and towel and it's a godsend, it's a whirlpool and one which vents. It doesn't take a full load though but then again takes up much less space than a full sized one.

fizzel81

thank you for all the ideas, my old house i had the space but was simply lazy, think im going to try over door racks and the radiator driers, and get myself another upright arier, the 2nd spin is also something im going to try as deep down i think if i get a new big tumble dryer i may slip back, has anyone tried the 3kg ones (there around 99) if so are they any good for finishing off washing my 3 boys are so messy that clothes simply are not clean enough for a second wear (and even mine sometimes)

i was one of 4 children growing up in a house without ch so there must be ways around it

djwood67

Fizzel 81

If you really dont want a tumble dryer you could have 2 or more clothes pulleys from the ceiling - heat rises and things dry really quickly.
YOu would also need a strategic approach to drying outside on a line - very green.
By the way - assume you are using Ecover washing products if your kids have exzcema - improved the situation for me

fizzel81

djwood67 wrote: »

Fizzel 81

If you really dont want a tumble dryer you could have 2 or more clothes pulleys from the ceiling - heat rises and things dry really quickly.
YOu would also need a strategic approach to drying outside on a line - very green.
By the way - assume you are using Ecover washing products if your kids have exzcema - improved the situation for me

i use a sensitive washing liquid from waitrose (my dad gets it for me as im not near one) no perfume in it and touch wood we have been lucky with it, its super concentrated and 1.99 a bottle