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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want a tumble drier. Total first world problem.

143 replies

Discopanda · 07/04/2016 00:36

We've recently moved into a new house, garden is big with one of those long, extendable washing lines. DP (who doesn't do the laundry) wants to get a 2nd hand tumble drier despite us living in the south of the UK and getting plenty of sun. I think it's a waste of money!

OP posts:
dizzytomato · 07/04/2016 03:12
Confused
fortifiedwithtea · 07/04/2016 03:22

YANBU if my tumble dryer broke I would not replace it. I only use it for sheets and towels. Tumble drying shrinks even though I have an expensive one that has a reduced heat setting. Also it makes shirt collars limp.

PageStillNotFound404 · 07/04/2016 05:07

Having lived in a previous house with a damp problem, I never again want to live surrounded by clothes dryers full of washing that's drying at a rate that makes continental drift look dangerously speedy.

I would probably get rid of my DH before my tumble dryer.

Chottie · 07/04/2016 05:43

I use the tumble dryer for sheets, towels, underwear, DHs shirts and my socks. I wouldn't dry DHs socks or my gym stuff in the tumble drier. All my washing is contained in the utility room and the rest of the house is tidy and washing free.

OP I would also say get a new tumble dryer too.

Mistigri · 07/04/2016 05:53

We have a long washing line in the garden and a large garage where I can dry stuff too.

Managed fine without a tumble dryer for my whole life until we finally got one about six months ago - DD was weekly boarding at the time and it was proving difficult to get all her stuff washed and dried at the weekend.

Now she's no longer boarding and I don't really need the dryer, although I use to get large items like duvet covers partly dry. It's convenient in winter but I doubt I will use it at all in summer. Could easily live without it, although it's sometimes very useful.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 07/04/2016 05:58

Yanbu. Hate the feel of tumble dried clothes and towels, the limp floppy lifeless bastards. We do have one but I loathe it and only use it in absolute emergencies. We have a clothes horse for wet days, never once have things failed to dry on there or "gone smelly".

Blueredballoon · 07/04/2016 06:05

We don't have a tumble dryer and manage just fine, even with the mountains of washing my young DC create.

Our house is quite warm upstairs. Everything dries really quickly on an over-bath airer I have, so washing is never really hanging around. I love hanging washing outside when it's dry too.

My mum is constantly badgering me to get a tumble dryer as she can't comprehend not having one!

gottachangethename1 · 07/04/2016 06:15

i had clothes horses for years, clothes take ages to dry in my damp little house. Then I got a tumble dryer (small) and realised how much time I wasted faffing around, turning sheets, towels etc. Now I Bung them in the dryer for 40mins and that's it.

Inertia · 07/04/2016 08:27

I think it can be energy saving if you would otherwise iron stuff. As long as time isn't an issue, I aim to get the laundry almost dry on the clothes line/ airer, and then tumble dry it for 5 minutes and immediately fold / hang it. 5 minutes in a 3KW dryer uses less energy than half an hour of a 2.5KW iron.

I do try to avoid having damp washing around the house as I don't want a damp house, or to have the heating on unnecessary, but the futility room is well-ventilated.

Inertia · 07/04/2016 08:29

Sorry, should say kW (damn autocorrect!)

kungfupannda · 07/04/2016 08:31

I got a heated drying rack a couple of years ago. It changed my life. Sometimes I go and look at it, loaded down with kids' clothes which will be dry in a few hours, and get a happy, fuzzy feeling.

I probably need to get out more Grin

AnonymousBird · 07/04/2016 08:33

I have been without a tumble drier for two months since we moved, I will be reinstalling my one as soon as we have had a bit of a change around in the house - no room right now, but I am literally counting the days until it goes back in.

I had six loads of laundry post holiday to do this week, and it has been a nightmare, still more to do, as I have to get one lot dry before I can do the next one and have been running in and out through the showers to deal with it. And then that doesn't even cover the towels and sheets that will need doing at the weekend (one bed at a time - so dull!).

Nightmare, just suck it up and get a drier. And buy a new one, they aren't expensive.

Cheby · 07/04/2016 08:34

Mine is about to be decommissioned for the next 6 months. It comes back into service around October time and is bloody useful over the winter when you can't line dry things. Drying laundry on racks and radiators in the house can cause damp issues and takes ages, so i keep it to a minimum.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/04/2016 08:36

YANBU.

I've never had one and my kids are teens now. It's never been something I've wanted. Maybe if I had one I'd never consider not having one again, but I'm very happy bring tumble drier free.

magratsflyawayhair · 07/04/2016 08:36

I love my tumbler. Brilliant in winter and great for emergency clothes washes when you need things dry quickly. Having one is great, you don't have to use it all the time.

lampygirl · 07/04/2016 08:38

Clothes airer and a dehumidifier here. The dehumidifier is great because not only do clothes dry really quickly and not smell, but it also heats and dries the bathroom well after we've all had showers and when we've all come home damp with the dog. It means sports clothes can be washed and used again the next day with no problem. We have a tumble dryer, but we never use it.

LittleBearPad · 07/04/2016 08:40

If you really don't want one don't get one.

Get one and use it in winter.

I love mine and wouldn't get rid of it, like I'd keep my dishwasher.

I love tumble dried towels

DawnOfTheDoggers · 07/04/2016 08:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 07/04/2016 08:42

I love my tumble dryer an unreasonable amount! Mine was second hand and is currently about 19 years old, still works a treat!

diddl · 07/04/2016 08:44

We've never had one.

Washing outside when possible.

In the laundry room on airer(s) when not.

We are lucky to have that inside space though.

VulcanWoman · 07/04/2016 08:45

I can't understand why your parter is interfering in the first place, need to mind their own beeswax. Grin

KayJBee · 07/04/2016 08:47

I'm another who has lived perfectly happily for 38yrs without one. I have occasionally used one if there has been one when we've been on holiday and every single time without fail it has shrunk clothes. There are 5 of us, 3 under 10.
I have a rotary airer which can easily accommodate 4 loads and do hang outside in winter too. Unless its actually raining or foggy, stuff still dries outside.

Jw35 · 07/04/2016 08:50

I'm in the south too and definitely need my tumble dryer in the winter months! I also have a long washing line with plenty of outside drying space. Trust me you will need it, atm it's reasonable mostly outside but come late October you will wish you had a dryer

Highsteaks · 07/04/2016 08:53

Im with lampy in the dehumidifier camp. They are the bollocks and much more efficient energy and economy wise than a tumble dryer plus DH refuses to buy a tumble dryer

liinyo · 07/04/2016 08:55

I think YABU. If your husband really wants one and you don't, give in. Let him have his way. They aren't too expensive to buy and if you don't use it a lot the running costs won't be out of hand. Even if you only use it occasionally it might come in handy when it is very wet or snowy. Which does happen, even in the sunny south. But I would endorse not buying a second hand one, particularly in view of the currency safety issues with Indesit/Creda etc Bite the bullet, get a decent new one, let DH have his way.....this time!