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AIBU?

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Original poster

Leaving the tumble dryer/washing machine on when going out

329 replies

DustyLee123 · 19/05/2024 07:46

I came home the other day to find that DH had left the tumbler/washing machine on and gone out for 30 minutes or so.
It makes me so mad that the house could have burned down due to his laziness, yet I get looked at like I’m nagging.
And we both know a couple whose garage went on fire due to the tumbler being left on.

YABU - stop nagging and be grateful he did some washing.
YANBU - everyone knows you don’t go out and leave the tumble dryer on.

OP posts:
Sometimesright · 21/05/2024 14:04

I do this too. I don’t trust the tumble dryer anymore though

RedPony1 · 21/05/2024 11:39

Wowthislife · 19/05/2024 07:51

My tumble dryer caught fire , the firemen who turned up said never leave washing machine or tumble dryer on either overnight or when you go out .

If that was the case, i'd never get any washing done - i'm rarely home! i do all mine over night but i never use a tumble dryer

Champers66 · 21/05/2024 09:41

100% agree with you. My husband does this all the time and it makes me so angry. He says ‘I watch too much telly’ and worry about nothing. Wont be that if our house burns down! I never leave it even switched on when I’m out. He will leave the clothes to finish the cycle even if they are bone dry half way through the cycle

Dbank · 21/05/2024 08:24

Buy a good make, clean the filters regularly, make sure the fuse is correctly rated. fit smoke detectors.

TD fires are largely caused by poor design and maintenance, the recalls for TD fires are all the cheapo or rebranded ones.

What make was your friend's one that caught fire, and had the filters been cleaned?

JayJayj · 21/05/2024 08:10

I leave mine on overnight or when I leave otherwise I’d never get any done.
I did think put yabu but I disagree with the be grateful husband did a load. It’s his responsibility too not just yours. Don’t ever be grateful for another adult doing what an adult should do.

Whatinthedoopla · 21/05/2024 02:29

I've had so many arguments with my partner as he is adamant of leaving the machines running through the night! He keeps saying that they are completely safe. Thanks to this post, I won't ever let him again

sugarrosepetal · 20/05/2024 23:53

taxguru · 19/05/2024 07:56

A washing machine or dishwasher is absolutely fine, very low risk.

A drier or a combo washer/drier is very high fire risk. The only times we've had fire engines on our road over the 25+ years we've lived here are two occasions when different neighbours left their drier or combo washer/drier unattended and caught fire, ruining their kitchens.

Not always. Mine caught fire whilst I was in the house and doing the last load before bed. Luckily I was awake and was able to run upstairs and get my sleeping baby as I never put things on overnight. It turned out to be the carbon brushes that had caught.

CrushingOnRubies · 20/05/2024 23:27

Leave WM and DW on when out would never get anything done otherwise. Tend to be in for TD never really thought about it before

New washing machine comes with an app which means you can switch it on remotely 🤷‍♀️

Herecomesthesunlittledarlinganditsalright · 20/05/2024 23:15

In a friendly chat with an appliance repair man, he said he doesn’t run dishwasher/tumble drier/washing machine while he’s out. He’s seen too many fires and floods. Practical advice if you can manage it!

DiduAye · 20/05/2024 23:04

My washing machine went on fire last year fortunately I was in the next room so I would never leave either washing machine or drier u attended

ladyofshertonabbas · 20/05/2024 22:52

Yanbu, a friend who’s a fireman has too many experiences of fire from this.

NoWordForFluffy · 20/05/2024 22:49

Crazycatlady79 · 20/05/2024 22:45

I left my washing out tonight to be darked on.

We're big fans of this!

PurpleFlower1983 · 20/05/2024 22:47

I always turn mine off. I never leave any on overnight either, heard lots of horror stories about dishwashers in particular.

Crazycatlady79 · 20/05/2024 22:45

I left my washing out tonight to be darked on.

NannaKaren · 20/05/2024 22:43

Washing machine left on whilst out/or sleeping yes!
tumble drier - no!

jcsc · 20/05/2024 22:07

I never leave the tumble on when I go out. The other one is the toaster. I unplug it from the wall. I know of 2 house fires caused by a toaster becoming faulty and the elements heating up inside just by having it plugged in with the switch on. It’s a scary thought.

Allofaflutter · 20/05/2024 21:15

Years ago my washing machine caught fire in an outhouse. Was daytime and I smelt it.

Isleoftights · 20/05/2024 21:08

Grenfell Tower fire (and a fire in a neighbour's property when they were on holiday) was started by a fridge freezer - so never leave your fridge freezer switched on, when you are out of the house !

FluffyBenji23 · 20/05/2024 21:08

No never do this. Years ago a colleague left a washing machine on and went out. It caught fire and the animals left in the house all died from smoke inhalation.

ElizaJ74 · 20/05/2024 20:59

It depends how old your tumble dryer is. Modern dryers have a cut out switch that kills the heat if the lint tray is too full.
I'm sure it was industry wide after the hotpoint models set on fire

riceuten · 20/05/2024 20:58

My other half is German and is obsessed with this. Very common belief there.

They are also terrified of gas ovens but that’s for a different thread…

Kjpt140v · 20/05/2024 20:24

As a retired firefighter, I can assure you, you are not being unreasonable. I have been involved in too many fires involving washing machines and tumble driers, we never leave the house or go to bed leaving these appliances operating. Stay safe.

laylababe5 · 20/05/2024 20:06

I always do this. I empty the lint catcher after every load. Lint is the fire hazard.

Muddlingalongsomehow · 20/05/2024 19:58

Actually I do know someone whose dishwasher caught fire after they'd all gone to bed. One of the young kids realised... I think the dog went into their room in a state

Jeannie88 · 20/05/2024 19:44

Big no to leaving a tumble dryer on, the heat those things create and the incidents that have happened with them. We're always extra careful after ours got recalled as some had set on fire! Don't use it that much but when we do, we keep a check on it, unplug after and leave the door open. A washing machine or dishwasher I'll leave if only out for a short while, not if I'm out for hours. Xx

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