Tips for a tumble dryer newbie!

[GuruK]

We have just got a washer dryer and, although I've only used the dryer twice because we've had such good weather I love it! It's going to be invaluable in those winter months, particularly with baby no 2 arriving in October!

As this is the first time I have ever owned a tumble dryer I have a couple of questions.

Firstly, can anyone recommend any products that will help give the dried clothes a fresher smell? I'm only after something very subtle, I can't bear heavily scented fabric conditioners or even strong smelling detergent, particularly when I'm pregnant. I tend to stick to Surcare or Fairy for detergent and conditioner.

The other question is, are there any types of clothes that you tend to bung in the dryer despite the label saying not to? I was quite surprised at the amount of clothes that had to be excluded. For example, my standard pair of leggings but my toddlers leggings, which are essentially the same mix of cotton and elastane, are fine to go in.

Thank you!

[catsbeensickagain]

I tend to just stick in anything like leggings and hope for the best! I avoid putting in jersey tops (think breton) as I find the tighten up and things made of wool, suit type or delicate looking fabric - everything else just goes in!

I have an add on question though that hopefully someone else can answer (two threads in one day on tumble driers seemed wrong!). We have just switched to a washer drier from just a drier and everything is so crumpled, is this normal?

[picklemepopcorn]

I used to do synthetics separate from cottons. Elastic things like leggings, socks etc will shrink on the high heat cotton tolerates.

Stick a big dry towel in to speed up the drying. You can put essential oils on the towel if you want to, to scent the washing.

Crumpling- it's probably too full. Washer/dryers usually only dry half as much as they will wash.

[catsbeensickagain]

Crumpling- it's probably too full. Washer/dryers usually only dry half as much as they will wash

just seen it says that in the manual!

[Cynderella]

I use wool dryer balls. They're supposed to speed up drying, and I think they do, but not by much. I put a few spots of lemon essential oil on one of them with each load.

I put in mixed loads and stop it periodically to remove shirts and jumpers that can hang to finish off drying to minimise or eliminate ironing.

I don't dry my one pair of leggings in the dryer because it doesn't do the fabric any good. I expect things to shrink a bit after first go in tumble dryer, and consider that when buying. Kids clothes - everything goes in. I dry somethings in the mesh bags they're washing in (bras, tights, ties etc) so they don't tangle.

Clean filter regularly - i put the fluff in the compost caddy. Don't overload - I leave quick dry items out and put them in once I've taken some stuff out.

[GuruK]

Great tips thank you everyone! Apologies I assumed I'd be notified when I got some responses and when I heard nothing I assumed I'd gone one step too far on the boring topic scale! Brilliant advice though, I have ordered some wool balls and using essential oils sounds perfect for giving a fresh smell. Also great tip with the dry towel will give that a go. I have also just chanced the leggings and they seemed to have survived! Thank you!

[BubblesBuddy]

With a washer dryer you can usually do a through wash to dry programme with a smaller load or you take out a few things and dry about 4 kg max. The trouble is that when it’s wet it’s not a lot! However you will get better results.

When you dry, use the amount of dryness you want to save electricity. So iron dry or whatever your machine sensor says to dry it more accurately. I think guessing the time or over drying wastes electricity.

[moreismore]

Another tip-esp for the summer- anything line dried gets 5/10 mins in tumbler-saves a lot of ironing as long as you take it out and fold straight away once finished and softens everything up.

[damekindness]

I'm one who does a 15 min tumble dry on just dry enough laundry. I soak a little bit of muslin in some nice smelling fabric conditioner ( Waitrose own honeysuckle is my current favourite) and bung it in with the drying which makes the laundry smell fabulous. Some robust folding of warm clothes means no need to iron