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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Leaving the tumble dryer/washing machine on when going out

329 replies

DustyLee123 · 19/05/2024 07:46

I came home the other day to find that DH had left the tumbler/washing machine on and gone out for 30 minutes or so.
It makes me so mad that the house could have burned down due to his laziness, yet I get looked at like I’m nagging.
And we both know a couple whose garage went on fire due to the tumbler being left on.

YABU - stop nagging and be grateful he did some washing.
YANBU - everyone knows you don’t go out and leave the tumble dryer on.

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 19/05/2024 08:08

Years ago I put the washing machine on when I went to bed and it ‘washed’ all night. All the towels were reduced to shreds. We also had a machine that emptied on the floor overnight. all machines are off when we go out/ go to bed.

qwertyqwertyqwertyqwerty · 19/05/2024 08:08

I'm surprised by the answers on here, it's been advice for a long time not to leave the WM on when out or in bed.

RatATatTatty · 19/05/2024 08:09

Washing machine - yes I do leave in. Tumble drier - never would.

Choice4567 · 19/05/2024 08:09

I agree with turning the tumble dryer off. But seriously how do any of you have clean clothes or dishes if you have to be home for them to be on?

Clearinguptheclutter · 19/05/2024 08:11

Rocknrollstar · 19/05/2024 08:08

Years ago I put the washing machine on when I went to bed and it ‘washed’ all night. All the towels were reduced to shreds. We also had a machine that emptied on the floor overnight. all machines are off when we go out/ go to bed.

We have both our washing machine and dishwasher on every night as we sleep. Mostly because we have cheap rate electricity after midnight.
never had a problem.

as for going out, no issue with the washing machine or dishwasher. Probably not the rumble but we rarely use it.

chocolateisavegetable · 19/05/2024 08:13

Interestingly, research by Which found that there are more fires caused by washing machines than tumble dryers. That could be distorted by the fact that almost everyone has a washing machine and less people have a tumble dryer of course. Also scary how many fires are caused by fridges, which of course we all leave on when we are asleep / out!

MaryFuckingFerguson · 19/05/2024 08:14

We run the dishwasher overnight, but often go out with the washing machine on.

We would not leave the tumble dryer running if we’re out.

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 19/05/2024 08:14

I wouldn't keep them on while I was out or asleep but I know people who do.

GeneralMusings · 19/05/2024 08:15

No way would I have them on while I sleep!!!!

I hate the thought of being trapped in a fire and it's a well known fire risk.

I. Slightly more lax about going out as its a risk to the house rather than to me but ideally we're home when it runs.

Pottedpalm · 19/05/2024 08:15

Like many posters, I’m ok with dishwasher and washing machine being on when we are out, but after all the publicity around tumble dryers causing fires, I try to remember to switch it off before we go out.

NewLifter · 19/05/2024 08:16

I read about a Tumble drier fire the other day. The family were in the next room but by the time they realised, it was too far gone for them to extinguish - they had to get out. Their whole kitchen burnt down.

I wouldn't use them while in bed - but if you do, make sure and keep a smoke detector close by - pain in the ass in the kitchen mind you!

Ours are in the garage which is detached from the house - we rarely use the drier anyway.

NewLifter · 19/05/2024 08:19

Choice4567 · 19/05/2024 08:09

I agree with turning the tumble dryer off. But seriously how do any of you have clean clothes or dishes if you have to be home for them to be on?

We wash up our dishes by hand, takes no time. I get up early in the morning to exercise so I stick a was on, work out, hang out washing either outside or on the clothes horse. We only use the drier when really desperate to dry something quickly.

Powderblue1 · 19/05/2024 08:19

Am I the only one thinking I'd rather the house go ablaze when I'm not in it rather than when I'm at home 😳

But yes I do leave ours on or I don't think I'd have time to get it all done

trampoline123 · 19/05/2024 08:21

I leave the washing machine running ourely for the Face ID never get any washing done if I only had it running when we were home.

I turn the tumble dryer off though as it's more of a fire hazard.

KatyaKabanova · 19/05/2024 08:21

We put the dishwasher on after the evening meal. If we're going out, we do it before, or first thing in the morning before breakfast.
The tumble dryer is going in the morning or when we're back in the evening.

qwertyqwertyqwertyqwerty · 19/05/2024 08:22

Choice4567 · 19/05/2024 08:09

I agree with turning the tumble dryer off. But seriously how do any of you have clean clothes or dishes if you have to be home for them to be on?

We put the WM on first thing in the morning or as soon as we get home.

KatyaKabanova · 19/05/2024 08:24

Powderblue1 · 19/05/2024 08:19

Am I the only one thinking I'd rather the house go ablaze when I'm not in it rather than when I'm at home 😳

But yes I do leave ours on or I don't think I'd have time to get it all done

I think it's not really the issue - the house ablaze with you in or out?
It's about preventing a house fire. If you're in, you are more likely to detect a problem in the early stages. Some damage to the appliance or the kitchen v burning the whole house down (as happened to my colleague who literally lost everything).

LeftLegRightLegYourBodyWillFollow · 19/05/2024 08:24

I leave the washing machine, but not tumble dryer, as pps have said.

Stopandlook · 19/05/2024 08:30

I think leaving the house for 30 minutes was absolutely fine. Unless it is old and faulty.

Yes there are rare horror stories but if they were that spontaneously combustible they would not be allowed to be sold!

Houseyperson · 19/05/2024 08:35

We smelt our tumble dryer smouldering and promptly unplugged it and shifted it outside. If we hadn’t been there…who knows. In a terraced house, too.

KatyaKabanova · 19/05/2024 08:36

Houseyperson · 19/05/2024 08:35

We smelt our tumble dryer smouldering and promptly unplugged it and shifted it outside. If we hadn’t been there…who knows. In a terraced house, too.

Goodness, I'm glad you were alerted!

ListenLinda · 19/05/2024 08:38

No. I used to, but one day I was wfh and heard a bang and lots of smoke coming out of the washing machine. If I hadnt managed to turn it off, it would most likely have caught fire. Thank god I was wfh at the time.
i never leave the tumble anyway, but now dont have the washing machine on when I go out either. I almost learnt the hard way.

CornishTiger · 19/05/2024 08:40

You aren’t wrong about the tumble drier.

Id leave the washing machine or dishwasher going though.

Loubelle70 · 19/05/2024 08:40

Odd time left wash machine on but never dryer

Einwegflasche · 19/05/2024 08:41

I won't leave TD on if nobody is home/overnight, I do with the WM though. We don't own a DW.