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?

Growing up it was a sin to use the dryer you would be shot using it so house would have clothes hanging on radiators most of the year ( Ireland so rains all the time) or left in front of fire going to bed on clothes horse.
since moving out I have always used my tumble dryer my electric bills are not extortionate. currently have a heat pump one which is so cheap to run. sits on top of washing machine. Once washing machine is finished open door and bang it all in. washing us washed and dried so quickly. not a hope will stop using it. Good stuff goes on clothes horse but god I detest it. my mother in laws is constant her underwear hanging for everyone to see as you walk in
I also will never ever get rid of dishwasher
Lord that is a life saver plus most economical and hygienic than washing by hand

We have one but I don't use it often for a variety of reasons
Several years ago there were news reports of certain models catching fire, the expense and the carbon footprint (I'm sure I read they were one of the worst appliances)

But I'm fortunate that we have space in the utility room to dry clothes on an airer (not heated) and a garden where I can hang clothes outside, weather permitting. On Sunday I hung some washing outside and then finished in the tumble dryer for 5-10 minutes. In the summer I could go months without using it

I have one that gets used maybe once a week (twice in the winter) and isn’t used at all in the summer. That’s why the average annual cost is low. The average use figures online seem to be based on 100 - 125 drying cycles a year. If you’re using it 5 days a week it’s costing you a lot more than that to run.

I’d use it more if it dried things better. It seems to make knickers loose, shrinks socks and T-shirts lose length but not width. Towels and bedding are the only things I really trust it with!

It was not an electrical fault that caused it.

Yes, DH takes ours apart about once a year to completely clean the innards, a lot of lint gets trapped in places you can't see, not just the filter area, you have to keep them clean

@Saschka I agree. I'm in Canada, and our very basic tumble drier is great - dries a huge load in 40 minutes or less. I still use my washing line whenever I can though, just for the environment and because electricity is SO expensive here. Also agree that the washing machines and detergent are totally crap.

I only use mine for towels and bedding in the winter and the occasional 'got to have that particular item of wet clothing' emergency.
I don't like what they do to clothes. They make them look a bit washed up and polo shirt collars etc look curled up. I've noticed this with all my friends and family who use them regularly.
Our clothes stay looking good for years and there's no shrinkage.
It drives me mad when we got to villas in Florida and there's nowhere to hang towels outside to dry. 90 degree heat, perfect sunshine and people are tumble drying.

I always thought they were bad for the environment. My mum has one but she always shrinks my clothes and they are always more creased. I've thought about getting one and it would be handy for bed sheets and towels. I do like the fresh smell when I hang clothes outside though.

No reluctance here. We have 2 tumble dryers and use them every day.

I've had one for more than 30 years. It dries: towels, tea towels, bed linen, cat throws, nighties and pyjamas, DH's boxers, hankies and cotton shirts, anything else that is woven cotton. Nothing has ever been shredded and some of our towels are more than 30 years old.

Woollens, my Jersey interlock, wool, polyester and silk dresses, bras and pants, tights and socks, dd's blouses for work, our trousers, etc, are hung on the Lakeland airer in a spare room.

I often use it throughout the summer too, because I work 50 hours a week and don't have time to faff with pegging out washing, running for it if it rains, etc. It's one job too many.

Had one in the house growing up, but I've never had one as an adult. I spent 15 years renting and they're not something landlords tend to provide in small flats! So now I don't see the need for one in my own home.

I have always had one but only use it for towels and ‘fluffy’ things like blankets and dressing gowns. I think they’re too harsh to use for clothing regularly.

Brit in North America and I can confirm every single person that I know has a tumble dryer. I know a lot of Brits here and they are also converts and cannot believe the UK attitude towards them.

My parents back in the UK have one, but only use it if absolutely desperate. It's basically a sign of failure to use the tumble dryer. They live in East Lancashire too which is notoriously damp and humid, year round.

Lint- You have to keep on top of that.

^^

This literally takes ten seconds to do

I feel completely the opposite - love tumble dried clothes and can’t stand the smell of them when they’re line dried! Also towels feel stiff as a board to me when not tumble dried. Each to their own I guess!

I love mine, use it every day, sometimes 2 or 3 loads. My clothes don't shrink, smell weird, or feel weird. They come out dry & unwrinkled. It's never set on fire. I can only guess some folks are using crap dryers or putting suff in that can't be tumbled.

Americans love a paper plate and I’m not doing that either.

I love my tumble dryer, much better than having wet clothes on radiators.

I don't put my pants in there though, as it shrinks them.
Or maybe it's just my arse getting bigger ...

I use mine all the time, not for tops and trousers, I love my towels and underwear ect to be soft.
I use it when I need to and would not care what people say.
I pay the bills.
I do you use the line for stuff I don't put in there x

Wasn't there some link between using one and Satanism? I've heard them described as a portal to evil...

I had no idea there was a shame around having/using them!

I have a condenser dryer and love it. Use it for towels, bedding and underwear, gets put on around 2-3 times per week. Dry everything else on a normal (not heated) clothes horse.

I love it, really really helps with laundry mountain. I use the water from the tank to water the garden (I use an eco safe detergent in the washing machine).

It gets trapped inside, you need to have the back and sides off to get rid of it properly, it is like fine dusting on the dryer innards. People just do the filter and it's not really enough, it needs a good clearing out, we do ours annually

I finally got one when I moved this year and now have a utility room.
I also installed a pulley which is great, does not take up any space, so a quick tumble and up onto clothes pulley.

I don’t know where the posters live that are managing to line dry sheets and towels to dry enough to put away — it’s been nothing but rain where we are, even on the days that have a bit of sun and wind there’s mostly rain too. I don’t have time to keep stopping work and getting the washing in and out. After two years without one we bought a heat pump one and I caught up on all the washing.

even just for sheets tea towels and towels it’s great. I haven’t noticed it increasing the electricity use, no more than the heated rack / dehumidifier combo required instead that still takes two days.

we had such a damp late summer / autumn that our house is struggling with humidity. Drying washing inside no matter the rack / dehumidifier was just making it worse and that stores up other health / house issues.

I hate what they do to clothes they stretch, sheet elastic, socks go odd, towels lose something about them not used ours in years (it came with the place)

I can't think of anything good but I was today years old when I learnt driers and shame used together, that is some serious weird projection/issues thing going on