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Can a front-load dryer be broken after being overloaded once

11 replies

Ano · 26/09/2022 09:35

Hello,

We've just bought a front-load dryer (Klarstein Jet Set 4000, 60 x 43 x 70 cm, so it's quite small), and out of stupid misunderstanding it was filled more than 3/4 of its content. The first time my husband used it, he filled the drum quite far below half for the duration of two hours, and it was really dry (of course). I thought it was not efficient, though, and told him to put as much as possible and as short as possible. I actually meant we should find an optimal point with this machine. I did not mean so much clothes that it would overwork the dryer or so short that the clothes would be ridiculously damp.

I didn't know how much he put, but he tried 1 hour. When one hour was up, he opened the door, quickly felt with his hand that the washing was still damp, and added another hour. Still it wasn't dry. I then checked and saw it was almost full with:

  • two adult towels
  • two baby towels
  • two bed sheets of thin material (90x200)
  • one baby sheet (60x120)
  • lots of baby clothes.

I took out all the towels and sheets, put back the baby clothes and they were dry in 30 minutes. Next I put back the towels and sheets and they too were almost dry in 30 minutes.

The things are done now, but I'm now obsessing whether we've shortened the machine's life-span by overloading it for 2 hours. I felt so stupid and cannot stop kicking myself for ruining a brand-new machine. Maybe the belt is worn out by now? Or something else we'd only find out in a few months? There was still rooms on top of the drum but it's certainly over 3/4 and maybe slightly more than 4 kg (not sure).

Some websites say you can't break a front-load dryer and, if overload, the load of laundry will only take much longer to dry, but others say it can break and the result is not immediate. This drives me crazy. Should we return it? Any thoughts? Thank you.

Can a front-load dryer be broken after being overloaded once
OP posts:
justasking111 · 26/09/2022 09:38

You'll be okay we've all done it

scrufffy · 26/09/2022 09:39

It'll be fine.

WeAreTheHeroes · 26/09/2022 09:39

I've just had a quick Google and it's capacity is pretty small at 4kg so that will be why it's been taking so long. You probably need to break washing machine loads down into several dryer loads. Highly unlikely you have broken it.

hedgehoglurker · 26/09/2022 09:40

Don't panic. It doesn't sound like any harm has come to it. Just be more sensible in future.

Similar fabrics dry better together, so don't put towels with baby clothes, etc. Also, a small DRY towel added to the load can speed up the drying time.

Thegreenballoon · 26/09/2022 09:42

It’ll be fine. Regularly overloading isn’t ideal but once for an hour or two really isn’t going to have broken it. You’re overthinking.

And no. You don’t return an item because you might have damaged it - the retailer isn’t responsible here!

ApolloandDaphne · 26/09/2022 09:46

I do that all the time with towels. My dryer remains completely fine.

Denny53 · 26/09/2022 09:50

You want to return the dryer as you think you might have broken it?

dementedpixie · 26/09/2022 09:50

Stop overthinking. You have not broken the machine. What would your reason be for returning it?

Wilkolampshade · 26/09/2022 09:58

Well if its still working, its not broken is it?

Just take more care next time.

Sophfreddie · 26/09/2022 10:03

No it won't be broken, I'm intrigued tho, why such a tiny machine? Is it just lack of space? A larger one would benefit you so much more! And a large wash (my washing machine is 10kg, and tumble dryer 9kg) doesn't take 2 hours to dry 🤔 x

Ano · 26/09/2022 10:07

Thank you, all! Maybe I'm overthinking and perhaps this is the remaining of my pregnancy hormones going bonkers.

We live in a tiny flat now, so there's no place for a bigger machine.

I've actually called the shop. The owner (an old acquaintance) is sure nothing's broken, but he said I could return it if I want to - just for my peace of mind, hence my question. But I think I won't return it now. 😊

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