Please teach me about tumble dryers!

[lifesabitchandthenyoudie]

Don't laugh... I've got my first ever tumble. It's a not-very-old condenser dryer.

I've always just used the line, and an airer when it's too wet. But trying to dry dog blankets and the dp's work clothes made me decide to get one. What's surprised me is that almost all the clothes I wear say 'do not tumble dry'; because they have elastane, etc, I suppose.

Is it really impossible to dry 'stretchy' clothes? Mine has a synthetic program, and I can tinker with the settings; is there a setting I can use to dry my 'delicates' on? Not sure I'll be too desperate to, tbh, but would like to know if it's doable.

Thanks!

I got a beko condensor dryer and I still haven't worked out what's what. I dry everything on delicate (which takes atleast 2 runs to dry it) and it still shrinks. I stretch it before and after drying also.

I have learnt just to put it in the hands of the dryer gods

Basically I dry most my clothes on radiators, airers or the line, the only things that I Put in the dryer are his cotton work shirts, pants, his trousers (why are men's clothes tumble dryer safe???) and his t shirt's sometimes. I use it for bedding sometimes.

I dry absolutely everything in my tumble dryer - it's a god send and cuts down all the faffing.
Make sure that you understand the programmes, my one for towels lasts about 1.5 hours, but they come out fluffy and dry. It took me a while to work out all the options, and there's a temperature sensor. Sheets seem to be done quickly.

Don't use delicate for everything - it'll take too long and won't dry them properly. Use the specific towel programme, and also "cupboard dry" or "extra dry" for cottons/mixed.

Most things say do not tumble dry. They get told to deal with it.
I don’t put certain things in, DH is funny about T-shirts being dried as he has a very long torso and if they shrink even the slightest amount then they are too short. I also don’t do jumpers or more dressy trousers. Leggings, jeans, underwear, sportswear, socks, pyjamas, bed linen, towels all go in.

I always thought delicate was thw safest option to prevent shrinking. Thanks for this. I remember back in the day my mums dryer had 2 settings warm and hot and you just turned the dial to the time you wanted it in there. Much easier !

I have a beko condenser and dry everything on extra dry,

I use it for all bedding, towels, children’s clothes (except knitwear and hoodies), DHs work shirts, everyone’s pants/socks.

so I then use an airer for my tops/skirts/trousers, DHs T-shirts and jumpers and trousers/jeans. Hoodies/knitwear.

Cottons go in, as do DH's running shorts as the waistband takes too long to dry. I do turn the temperature down though and things don't seem to shrink.
Knitwear and synthetics go on a rack in the spare room.

Think ours is a beko condenser
Quite old now but I throw a lot in when we can't line dry
T shirts tracksuit bottoms vests, underwear, socks all go in cottons extra dry then need an extra 45 minute cycle
Towels bedding ttowels kitchen cloths same as above

Gym exercise clothes football kit synthetics extra dry

Shirts - shirt option

Jeans options is good for jeans

Clothes might feel a bit damp after their allocated cycle

But the 30/45 cycles are lower heat and squeeze out the last remaining water

Empty the condenser tray after each cycle and you get to know (trial and error) if they need a bit longer

And check manual for max kg load for each cycle

Things I don't put in
Woollens but you might get away with delicates
School blazers
Bras
Thermals
Kids school trousers and jumpers
All this is quite small in volume and dries with heat of the house

Yes, modern dryers are a bit more sensitive, I haven't had anything shrink. Ever!

@frozendaisy good point about the condenser tray. Also the lint trap.

i don’t dry any clothes really in tumble dryer as I have a lot of delicate or wool and I fine even cottons shrink or don’t last as long. And we have heat pump one which has wool setting.

It’s still super helpful though. As all bedding and towels so in which are the big bulky items

This is all really helpful, thank you! So I'm reading that there's a bit of trial and error, don't risk anything that you can't bear to go wrong!

Will try out a few things on the synthetic and wool cycles, thank you. And keep my trusty airer catplaytower. I'm sure it'll be worth it just to not have to risk musty cottons! (am I sad to be a little bit excited about that!?)

We had built-in one supplied with a new house but in 8 years have ever used it.
For me, by far the most important thing in a washing machine is a spin speed of 1600 - then the clothes come out dry enough to be able to use an airer.

Also don't forget - the capacity of the airer in a combi is only about 50% of the washing capacity. So you always need to split the load after washing.

If you use a tumble dryer you'll never have to split the load. I never have washing hanging around the house, and everything is fresh and dry.