Dishwasher vs tumble dryer

[cupcakeandtea]

I know this is deathly boring but...

our dishwasher died yesterday and we only have room for one appliance so..do I get a dishwasher or a tumble dryer?

We've got a 4 week old so it makes sense to get a tumble dryer but I hang out the washing in the summer/spring anyway so would only use it for part of the year. However, used to dry washing in spare room which is now the nursery and I hate the thought of washing hanging all over the house in the winter.

More likely to use the dishwasher more but then I think we've just got lazy and it wouldn't harm just to wash everything up!

As I said, I know it's boring but any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune]

oh this is a difficult one. If there is only 2 of you plus an 18month old I would say go for the tumbledryer, mainly because one of my pet hates is drying laundry all over the house in winter.

[kitkatqueen]

sorry, can't live without either. You can get miniature tumble driers tho - table top ones, might be an option??

[slayerette]

I have never had a dishwasher and don't miss it - we're a family of three and washing up only ever takes ten minutes or so which isn't much. But I couldn't manage without the tumble dryer (beautiful fluffy towels, for one thing ) and, let's face it hanging washing outside to dry is not guaranteed even in the summer!

[familywhoneedsem]

dishwasher.

I would much prefer to sort out washing, that sort out washing up!

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

I'm with Riven - tumble driers eat electricity, which means they're expensive for you, and horrendous for the planet, and all for something that can be achived by hanging clothes up to dry.

whereas it's been shown that a modern dishwasher uses less energy and water than a human being doing the same amount of washing up - so much more justifiable.

[YanknCock]

I don't have either at the moment! I would get the dishwasher myself, because I hate washing up a lot more than line drying things or using the radiators. I figure if I ever get really behind on the washing, there is a laundrette I just found that picks up and delivers and does service washes. I think when the baby comes we might end up using that for a while. Can't do that with the dishes!

[shinyshoes]

dishwasher!!!! I bought my frst one about 3 weeks ago and it's FAB!!

I don't use the tumble dryer much only for towels.

[bronze]

another vote for dishwasher

[PfftTheMagicDragon]

Depends on your house I think. In my last house I didn't mind being without a tumble drier as we had plenty of space and well ventilated areas to dry clothes on airers. In this house there is nowhere, so would have to be tumble drier.

[elliepac]

I only succumbed to the evils of a tumble dryer in February and it was the best evil thing that i have ever done! Tumble dryer for me.

[barbarapym]

Dishwasher. Keeps your kitchen clean and tidy. Essential I reckon. Tumble dryer more of a luxury ( although I confess I do have one.) Maybe get a washer/dryer if and when you change your washing machine, then you've got the option in extremis?

[familywhoneedsem]

Do not ever get a washer/dryer, they are worse for electric and the environment than a tumble dryer on their own, more likely to break and cost a lot to fix, and generally take longer to dry your clothes than a radiator !

(well ours was crap anyway, it took 2 hours to dry clothes washed on a 16k spin).

[elliepac]

I second what familywhoneedsem. I have a washer dryer but the dryer was so useless i actually had to buy a tumble dryer as well. Plus it blew up yesterday !

[SarahL2]

A dishwasher actually uses less energy than washing dishes by hand so is better for the environment and also comes with the added advantage of washing at a higher temperature so dishes are more hygenic and you'll be able to stop sterilising earlier (dishwashed bottles are fine from about 6 months I think)

A tumble dryer on the other hand will spend half of the year not being used and eats electricity!!

I'd go for the dishwasher...

[yappybluedog]

I have had a dishwasher for about 2 months and there is NO WAY I am going without one again

[MollieO]

I would get a dishwasher and a washer/dryer. Some w/d are environmentally friendly. Also some dws have programmes that use less water - Miele are excellent for both.

[Poledra]

I'd have the dishwasher myself, but I do have a utility room where I can dry the washing in winter.

[OlympedeGouges]

dishwasher. We have a wooden hanger on a pulley on the ceiling above the stairs, clothes and sheets dry overnight. Brilliant.

[cocolepew]

Never hd a dishwasher but couldn't live without my tumble dryer (slight exaggeration).

I pay for my elecric on a keypad and have to say I don't find it too expensive and it's on alot [uneco emoticon]

[Sidge]

Both! Dishwasher in the kitchen, and then a tumbler in another room if no room for it in the kitchen - friends have theirs in the garage, and in our old house we had ours in a large cupboard under the stairs.

[FAQinglovely]

Well I've got 3 DS's (8, 5 and just turned 2) and haven't had a tumble drier for nearly 4yrs now.

I would die without my dishwasher

Although I used to think

"we're a family of three and washing up only ever takes ten minutes or so which isn't much" (when we had fewer children obviously lol) but the day we got one it transformed my life

[PlumBumMum]

Both my tumble drier and dishwasher have broke and I defiently miss dishwasher more, and I have 3 dcs who seem to create alot of washing!