central heating or washer dryer??????????

[alypaly]

Not sure if its cheaper to put central heating on to dry washing or use washer dryer. It seems to take so long in the dryer. anyone know?

[Rhubarb]

I stick mine outside in the brief moments of sunshine. But if you hang them on a washing maiden inside in a warmish room, even without central heating, they'll dry.

[alypaly]

rhubarb,they seem to take ages to dry like that,especially thick items and then they smell fusty if they take too long. I do use my washing line WHEN it is sunny or windy ,but the weather is so crap at the moment.
And like Jajas said dryers are so expensive. trying to keep the bills down as i am a single mum

[SimpleAsABC]

alypaly, totally agree with the fusty smelly which then means you sometimes need to wash things again, i.e. towels.

i'd start things off on clothes horse and then stick the heating on to finish them off later, i.e. at night when its cooler and you appreciate the heating more!

[Rhubarb]

Agree. Put them on the maiden inside for now and then tonight turn on one radiator in the living room and take them in there to finish drying.

[alypaly]

my son does that at uni and his clothes never smell of fabric conditioner....

like you i end up rewashing stuff that smells weird so it defeats the object of trying to save money.
havent got space for a seperate dryer

[throckenholt]

if they smell fusty it is because there is not enough air circulating to dry them - so get a second airer and space them out a bit.

[alypaly]

cant win,my little house is goin to look like a chinese laundry..but thanks for the tips...any more!!!

[Rhubarb]

If they do smell a bit musty. Tip just a wee bit of conditioner into a spray bottle and top up with a bit of water, spray a fine mist over the clothes/towels/bedding and they'll smell just fine.

It's also a cheap alternative to that fabric freshner spray.

[TimeForMe]

Don't know if this is any help to you but I have started giving my washing an extra fast spin once the load has finished. This takes out even more water and the clothes are drying much faster in the dryer.

I wouldn't put the heating on but I would do as Rhubarb suggests and hang them on a washing maiden, they will dry quicker this way too after the extra spin.

[amazonqueen]

I would start the thicker stuff off in the washerdryer and then when warm put them over the backs of dining chairs etc . Towels I usually drape over hangers so they can be hung on the backs of doors etc.Smaller/thinner items can be spaced out along a folding airer. I know it might look like a laundry but the more space devoted to drying means it all get dry in one go rather than always having something steaming gently on the radiators.

If you are pressed for space do it the other way round and put the lighter stuff in the dryer to leave room for the heavier stuff.

But personally I put everything on the line anyway. If it rains on them I dont fuss unless its a precious item which probably wouldnt be outside anyway.

[amazonqueen]

Forgot to say -I love the idea of an extra spin. Now why didnt I think of that before

[alypaly]

thats a good idea with an extra spin...never thought of that...dyou reckon it will get more out as i have a spin speed of 1400rpm.

will i get those wretched creases out with another spin?

good tip with the fabric conditioner.thanks

[TimeForMe]

My fast spin is 1400 too and have to say the ironing isn't too bad actually, clothes don't seem to crease that much at all. It's amazing how much more water comes out, you can really tell the difference especially with towels.

[TimeForMe]

Also, I used to hang my towels or bedding over the upstairs banister. Heat rises so they dried nicely plus there was the added advantage of them being out of the way/out of sight

[alypaly]

will definitely try,the next wash is in right now.

[IvanaDK]

If you dry your clothes ind doors on a clothes horse, it's really important that you air out - ie open all windows for 10 min 3 x day. This should prevent towels getting smelly but more importantly it keeps humidity out of your house - this can be a health issue for you as well as your house.

Tumbler dryers are very hard on clothes, your electricity bills and the environment.

If it's raining and you have a garage, start the clothes drying on a clothes horse in there in the morning - with the door open, very important - and then take it all in at night.

I like the idea of an extra spin, thanks!

[alypaly]

No garage boo hoo