Reluctance to use a tumble dryer is a British quirk

[User3735]

I've noticed that there is a lot of shame around using a tumble dryer, and even people who have one are reluctant to admit it, and make excuses why they have one and say they use it rarely. The claims of them being extortionate and terrible for the environment seem exaggerated to me whenever I look at the latest energy uses and cost. According to Which, the average tumble dryer costs around £150 per year to run (and less than £60 per year for a newer heat pump dryer). Yet people will buy expensive heated airers, rails and dehumidifiers to probably a similar value.

I have observed this tumble dryer reluctance from people from all financial backgrounds. The only pattern I have noticed is those who had one in their home growing up are more likely to use them, and those who didn't think they are to be avoided at all costs. I wonder if they did cost significantly more when they were new, and it is a misconception of running costs?

I have always had one, and when they have broken I have replaced asap. Our current dryer broke down this summer, and I put off replacing while the weather was better, but I now seem to have been influenced by the tumble dryer haters and I have a strange sense of satisfaction of powering on through winter without one. Whilst I get an utterly pointless sense of satisfaction that I am winning, the time spent shaking out, hanging and turning clothes takes up quite a ridiculous chunk of time compared to tumble drying and I am very time poor. Given our wet climate and issues with damp, I really can't understand why so many people are against them?

I use mine 6 days a week, when I can’t dry on the line.

I just HATE the way they make clothes feel. Can’t stand to touch or fold tumble dried clothes- the texture is horrible. Nothing feels nicer or smells better than bedsheets done on the line…

I wear mainly natural fibres and the tumble drier shrinks them. We have one at the moment but it's not been used for probably a year. We're getting a new kitchen in the new year and have discussed not replacing it. Also you have a full load of wet washing and a tumble drier usually takes less than that, so it becomes a faff. Dry and windy here all week my line will be getting used

Most houses I’ve lived in don’t have space. We never had one when I was a child owing to lack of money to buy and run it, and lack of space to put it in.

I’ve had washer-dryers and they’re rubbish compared to a dryer. I had a great one in my last house; no space for one in this house.

I think they're bad for clothes. I want my clothes to last long, so I'm careful with them and wouldn't want to use one.

I don't see how it's a 'British' quirk. There are many countries in which hanging up clothes to dry is the norm. I know very, very few people with tumble dryers.

They are expensive though, compared to line or clothes horse drying. Especially at the moment. And I just hate spending money when I don't have to. My 6 year old has some American friends and they thought it was hilarious that I had clothes hanging in the garden. They'd never come across it.

I have one and it’s brilliant. I have no shame I use it all the time.

Best clothes get hung up and socks/pants/towels/sheets/school uniform/work shirts/kids clothes go in the dryer. It’s quick, efficient and saves hours a week/month/year of hanging out.

I use mine all the time, even in the summer! Clothes and towels are much softer and fluffier when dried in one.

I agree- I think people feel it’s wasteful to use them but I bloody love mine. I hang most tops and trousers as agree they do shrink or not last as long otherwise but tumble dry socks, pjs, school polos, underwear, towels & bedding. If I had to air dry everything in winter it would hang around for so much longer. I just want it done and put away!

I have a washer dryer and couldn't be without one now. Its on most days in the winter. I use it for towels, bedding, socks etc but I always take out the good stuff as I don't want it shrunk.

I agree bedsheets are fantastic dried on the line but towels are awful and stiff. Also living in the damp north west it is a rare day that I can put washing out in the morning and go to work safe in the knowledge there will be no rain at all so I utilise my heat pump tumble dryer frequently

I hate tumble dryers! Clothes come out looking like a jumble sale, boiled in stale air. Plus, pegging out washing on a line is one of life's greatest joys.

I’ve just filled my toddlers nursery with two airers because he has the warmest room. Then I’ll turn the dehumidifier on in the morning.

Then I’ll finish the thicker items off in the dryer if I really absolutely must, if they’re not dry in the next couple of days.

So I think YANBU 😆

I love mine op!
Use it all the time.
Growing up we did not have one, and in a small house through the winter it was minging. Clothes everywhere. Being told we couldn’t put things to wash even when dirty because nowhere to dry them. If it was washed it would take days to dry and get that awful musty smell.
When DH and I moved to a big enough house, it was the first thing I bought. DM was disgusted with me. It definitely is some bizarre badge of honour for her.
I even use it in the summer as DH has hayfever and the pollen on line dried bedding and clothes makes his asthma bad. You can guess DMs opinion on that!

I grew up with a tumble dryer.. And I have one... A heat pump one... I use it for drying all my washing (very occasionally I'll hang something on the line) and I love it.
As you say, energy wise, a heated airer alongside side a dehumidifier I can only imagine would be about an equal cost as a tumble dryer 🤷🏻‍♀️

Honestly I can’t be arsed hanging things up outside and keeping an eye on the rain only for them to still be damp in the evening and need 30 mins in the tumble dryer. Likewise I don’t want wet washing hanging around for days. I cba. Even in summer I wish I could use the dryer

Whenever I use a tumble dryer the clothes always smell faintly burnt.

What I'd really love is a drying cupboard.

I dry my towels in the tumble dryer so they come out soft. I use my dryer all the time. Bedding goes on the line. Things that can't be tumbled go on a clothes horse.

I think they're bad for clothes.

Another silly myth. If you're using it properly, and taking heed of the care instructions on the garment, a tumble dryer does not ruin clothes.

I have always had a tumble dryer and always will.

They beat the shit out of your clothes and use obscene amounts of power.

I have a heated airer and admittedly it’s not significant cheaper to run as it’s on for a lot longer than the drier. But my clothes don’t get ruined by it.
I do most of my drying outside march-October and occasionally in between.

I don’t judge people that have driers but do judge people who use them on a sunny day who have space for a line in the garden. I couldn’t ever live in the US as I know it’s not the done thing to line dry there!

I don't have space for 2 machines so have a washer/dryer that does both jobs, which horrifies my mil. Not sure why.

Does your dryer have a sensor? Mine stops when it senses the clothes are dry. The older ones that needed manual checking could sometimes get a bit hot.

Something is very wrong with your dryer. The thermostat is probably faulty.

I only got one ten years ago when I was 35 and now I use it all the time. My clothes haven't suffered. I think it's the best thing ever and now I don't have to iron anymore either.

I'm with you. Do I use it for everything, no. Do I use it regularly, yes. But I no longer live in the UK and have never even heard anyone discuss their use of one here.