to think tumble dryers are a waste of time - towels and bedding aside?

[principalitygirl]

I recently bought one, hoping it'd be life changing. But turns out that loads of what I wash can't be tumbled...?? Most of my
little ones tops, vests and babygros are 100% and are labelled do not tumble dry?! I've ignored it, dried them on low and now they've shrunk. Jeans shrink too. Feel totally misled!

We have a tumble dryer and it's crap. You have to be really careful not to over-fill it, and even then, it still takes hours to dry a load.

All you people who love their dryers - what brand/make do you have?

I really feel I should spread the word if you've got a tumble dryer you should also get a spin dryer it takes so much extra water out than a washing machine does then the tumble isn't on as long.

JapaneseMargaret I have a Hotpoint Aquarius. Takes a 6kg load. It has two temperature settings and a delayed start timer. It is vented - not a condensing dryer. My previous one was hand me down from my parents and lasted about 15 years. Think that was a Hotpoint too. Washer dryers tend to be less efficient and you often cannot dry the entire load you have just washed which strikes me as a waste of time, but better than nothing!

sonlypuppyfat what speed is your spin dryer? Can you not achieve the same with a washing machine? I know different programmes have different spin speeds, but mine has a spin cycle you can vary and you can spin independently if needed.

I invested in a bigger washing machine with the fastest spin and a big capacity dryer. It does make a difference.

Unless you have drying room, YABU. I've never had tumble drier, but have always been lucky enough to have a heated utility room/laundry, so never needed it. For many, it's a life saver.

I have this one:

ao.com/product/DCU7230W-Beko-Condenser-Tumble-Dryer-White-23584.aspx

I had a Hotpoint one before. I could take 2-3 hours to dry a load. I was so happy when it broke

I am prepared to pay avpound per load if it means I dont have washing everywhere.

YABU

Another vote for the Beko condenser. Doesn't shrink clothes much at all.

In a 2 brum apartment with a toddler, in a soggy winter - there's no way I could get all the laundry done.

I love my tumble dryer and dishwasher in equal measure

I've got a wee tiny one that sits in my kitchen cupboard I only use it for underwear and school shirts and I hang the rest on clothes horse but I'm lucky to have a balcony and I put it out during the day and bring it in at night in the winter and if clothes are damp in the morning I bung in the TD for 20 mins!

In the summer or a dry day I still hang out on the line

Exactly like Mumslife - except ours is an AEG. It's vented, in the garden shed, 9 years old and has loads of sensor settings then goes onto a cool slow tumble for a bit to stop creasing. It also has fixed times of 20 and 40 mins which we use to air duvets and pillows in winter, or for things that have got a bit wet on the line when it rains but are too dry for the sensor programmes.

I don't always use mine but this week YABVU! A family bout of D&V has had my washing machine on the go constantly, we'd have no sheets, blankets or pj's if I didn't have a drier

Can I just add, if you have an LG 8kg condenser, do NOT try to dry oven gloves (rubbing scalded leg from the inside of the door)

Yes, I use the cottons sensor setting for sheets and towels and the synthetics one for clothes, each has about 4 options from totally dry to slightly damp for ironing. The clothes totally dry one only takes about 1.5 hours. It also has a special care button for delicates.

Another vote over here for the Beko condenser.

I was all for getting a more expensive super duper one but DH talked me into this one and it has been brilliant. I set it to 'normal dry' (the second driest setting) and it gets a full cotton load done every time, including towels. It also has 10/20 etc minute options if you just desperately need one thing done.

I am totally evangelical about my dryer

Bosch sensor condensing dryer here. Fantastic

I couldn't be without mine in winter, we can't dry clothes over the radiators because our house has a damp problem.

I was a bit gutted to be without mine when I moved, but now I'm not sure I'd bother with one again. Somehow, I seem to spend less time on the laundry now! It just goes in the wash, out on to a hanger, hang it on the doorframe, and it's ready by morning. (maybe jeans take a bit longer). Most of it just goes straight into the wardrobe, so no folding or sorting.

If I need something quick, I have a dehumidifier that I can switch on nearby and it's dry in no time.

Buy everything a size bigger than you need. It will shrink to the right size and after that you'll always be able to tumble-dry it

I stand corrected! I loved mine initially then had a few things shrink and so many things seemed to be labelled not to be tumbled which is why I was whinging. It's proving its worth again after a weekend of visitors - towels and bedding. I do line dry in summer though - I love the smell on clothes after drying like that!

I did use a dehumidifier to dry stuff on racks more quickly previously when we didn't have space for a dryer.

The heated airer sounds good and
I agree that dishwashers are fantastic too!

I tumble dry most stuff at this time of year - underwear t shirts tracksuit trousers sweatshirts - mostly 100% Cotton. Can't bear to have lots wet washing around house..

My tumble dryer is a shrinker but I love it. Even use it in the summer ( too small to reach the washing line outside). I never iron anything! My ironing board has cobwebs all over the bottom...