Page 18 | To wonder how on earth anyone copes without a tumble dryer?

Idontpostmuch · 03/11/2025 15:17

RaraRachael · 03/11/2025 11:35

not being lucky enough to live somewhere where you can install a permanent washing line - they blow over (ah, the sea breezes) and dump your clean laundry in the dirt, or the birds use them for poo target practice.

We have a communal drying green with washing lines, NE Scotland right by the sea. No washing line has ever blown over and surprisingly considering the amount of seagulls, I've only once had something pooped upon in 15 years.

I don't get the "tumble dry everything" way of thinking . Apart from horrendous electricity bills, I do find clothes don't come out in a great condition.

We have a tree with squirrels so can't hang out washing. Don't need dryer, just two airers in house with occasional back up of airing cupboard.

LaserPumpkin · 03/11/2025 15:42

We have a tree with squirrels so can't hang out washing.

Genuine question - why does a tree with squirrels stop you hanging out washing? My mother has squirrels come into her back garden and I’ve never seen them go on the washing; they don’t seem to like the flapping.

ILikeDinosaurs · 03/11/2025 15:50

Bumbles55 · 01/11/2025 21:06

Ours broke yesterday and I feel like I’ve lost a limb! Having to wait an entire day or more for washing to dry (and having to put the heating on full blast 24/7 in order to facilitate this) is torture. I’m so used to washing uniform etc at night and being able to quickly chuck it in the tumble dryer in the AM whilst we get ready. Washing loads take proper pre planning now! Despite it being only DD and I at home we easily get through one full wash per day so the house is already absolutely covered in clothing drying on radiators etc.

The new one won’t be delivered for 2 weeks - unsure how I’ll survive in the meantime 🤣

I don't have one. Not having one is hardly one of life's great sufferings is it.

Allseeingallknowing · 03/11/2025 15:58

ILikeDinosaurs · 03/11/2025 15:50

I don't have one. Not having one is hardly one of life's great sufferings is it.

Show quote history

I agree, definitely not a necessity, just an electricity gobbling device that often does your clothes no good!

Allseeingallknowing · 03/11/2025 15:59

ToadRage · 03/11/2025 13:01

I remember not having one, airers all over the place, dehumidifier running. We inherited our first one cos we moved into my deceased Uncles flat and he had one. We never used it at first, didn't feel the need and my husband didn't want the cost of running it. We started using it for speed, convenience and someone at work complained that my uniform smelled musty allegedly from being dried indoors. Wouldn't be without it now. We had huge problem when the first one died cos it was the weekend before my husband worked away so he needed a weeks worth of clothes and there were shirts, trousers and boxers hanging everywhere trying to get them dry so he could pack them. We went out and bought a new one that very same day. We are now on our third, over 13 years. We do try to save money by only running it at night, when the electricity is cheaper, it has a delay function so we can turn it on and go to bed and it will come on later while we are asleep. I guess if you have the time and only have a few sets of clothes worn on rotation it may not be needed, but when you wear a uniform 5 days a week and may not have two days off together you need to wash and dry when you can. I used to put my uniform in to wash after work in the evening or first thing on my day off then tumble dry it overnight. I use it a lot less in the summer when we can dry outside on the line.

I wouldn’t run it at night due to safety issues.
https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/news/safety/why-you-shouldnt-use-washing-machines-and-tumble-dryers-night

Chinsupmeloves · 03/11/2025 17:34

I have one but rarely use it. 2 fold out airdryers amd coat hangers along the curtain rail more than suffice for a load. It's a constant cycle but works for us. Also, maybe a couple of radiators if needed quickly. Summer always outside. Xx

SwimmingPoolWater · 03/11/2025 17:35

I couldn’t cope without ours! I hate having washing hanging about the place, it’s depressing.

Timbukpoo · 03/11/2025 17:58

My MIL and mother are tumble dryer snobs, they would tell me there is nothing like drying outside, I finally got a dryer when we renovated our house and it’s the best thing ever! Saves so much time!

Idontpostmuch · 03/11/2025 19:11

LaserPumpkin · 03/11/2025 15:42

We have a tree with squirrels so can't hang out washing.

Genuine question - why does a tree with squirrels stop you hanging out washing? My mother has squirrels come into her back garden and I’ve never seen them go on the washing; they don’t seem to like the flapping.

Edited

Sorry, I was in a hurry and didn't explain properly. The squirrels shit from above. Tree is huge and branches hang over line.

Gettingbysomehow · 03/11/2025 21:03

GasPanic · 03/11/2025 10:34

Washing machine, high spin speed 1600 rpm, double spin some stuff.

Wear two sets of clothes. Best for out the house, slob around in joggers inside. This means you can wear best clothes out more times and wash less. Also means texpensive clothes do not get dried and washed as much so last longer.

Wear artificial fabrics. A polyester/cotton blended fleece and joggers will come out of the washing machine almost dry whereas a thick woollen jumper and jeans will take forever to dry - both hold lots of water.

Have a big house relative to the number of people/drying in it. Bigger house means you can dry more without increasing the internal humidity to unpleasant levels.

Work to keep the humidity down so you can dry more washing.

Get alternative drying gear. Dehumidifiers, heated airers and extraction fans.

I have a washer dryer but never use the dryer.

I never wear my nice clothes at home either. They just ger covered in cat fur 😁

carconcerns · 03/11/2025 21:49

Gunz · 01/11/2025 21:24

Yep - that's always the argument that gets drummed out when this debate comes up. I have had one for the best part of 40 years - working FT with 3 children it was essential. I dont want wet washing hanging around for days on end. I now do own a humidifier now - so does reduce the time non dryer clothes need to be on a rack.

Show quote history

Love my tumble drier, use it every day and it makes the kitchen lovely and warm. The air isn't damp, it condensea it and collects water in a tray.

Loads of people claiming they don't see the need for one then comment that 'it only takes a day a half for my washing to dry in the house' 😂 well mine takes less than an hour and I remove it whilst warm and fold or hang and never need to iron, way quicker all round.

Also people saying they've got multiple line dryers and racks cluttering the place up and as for hanging out to dry a much as I love to do this on a summers day, the British weather is unpredictable at best and there's nothing more annoying than a line full of freshly washed stuff being soaked with a downpour when you nipped out or were at work. There's a million other things you can waste money on and this saves loads of time!

Edited to say didn't mean to quote anyone and can't get rid if it sorry

ClarafromHR · 03/11/2025 23:43

Allseeingallknowing · 03/11/2025 15:58

I agree, definitely not a necessity, just an electricity gobbling device that often does your clothes no good!

Show quote history

I wish someone would explain why tumble dryers are, according to some MNers, bad for clothes but washing machines with a 1400 spin are not.
I have some clothes that are years old and are dried in my heat pump dryer.
Also, it’s been interesting to read all the comments about electricity usage but in the same posts, use of heated airers and dehumidifiers is advocated as well as heating rooms just to get a load dry.
Of course washing machines and tumble dryers use more electricity than a wash board and mangle just like our tvs use more electricity than a wireless but nobody seems to be asking us to go back to those times.
We have so many labour saving devices but there seems to be an aversion to dryers.

TheCheekyCyanHelper · 04/11/2025 06:06

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 02/11/2025 19:44

Poor thing. Hope you can wait until your new clothes dryer arrives and do not suffer from a nervous breakdown in the interim

Tumble dryers are expensive and bad for your clothes. Never had one

In the Summer dry most of clothes on the outdoor communal.garfen washing line. Rest of the year on simple removable racks over the bath.

You could always buy more clothes.

They are not bad for your clothes. Thats hilarious 😂

Chess101 · 04/11/2025 06:26

I just loathe clothes hanging on dryers around the house. It looks untidy and clutters the space. I use my dryer daily. Most days twice. Folding clothes straight from the dryer also reduces ironing. Soft fluffy towels are just the best.

Cheeseontoastghost · 04/11/2025 06:58

ClarafromHR · 03/11/2025 23:43

I wish someone would explain why tumble dryers are, according to some MNers, bad for clothes but washing machines with a 1400 spin are not.
I have some clothes that are years old and are dried in my heat pump dryer.
Also, it’s been interesting to read all the comments about electricity usage but in the same posts, use of heated airers and dehumidifiers is advocated as well as heating rooms just to get a load dry.
Of course washing machines and tumble dryers use more electricity than a wash board and mangle just like our tvs use more electricity than a wireless but nobody seems to be asking us to go back to those times.
We have so many labour saving devices but there seems to be an aversion to dryers.

Show quote history

Great posts!
I have a heat pump TD.
It's brilliant
I dry overnight on racks and then finish in the TD.
Apparently this is terrible for clothes
I think people are thinking about the old style scorch your clothes dryers of the past!

Mine is very gentle, it recycles the warm air and costs about the same as a heated airer
No idea why people are against them?
Soft fluffy towels and no ironing

I do think there is a shoring up of moral righteousness with the " I hang out, even in a hurricane" type posters, who must spend all week hauling wet, musty clothes in and out.

Fresh air is lovely in the summer , unless you have hay-fever but ugh that dank wet sour smell of the cold brrrr 🤢 no thanks

aWeeCornishPastie · 04/11/2025 08:11

I coped for over 20 years without one

Cheeseontoastghost · 04/11/2025 08:40

aWeeCornishPastie · 04/11/2025 08:11

I coped for over 20 years without one

Have a 🏅

Idontpostmuch · 04/11/2025 08:49

Cheeseontoastghost · 04/11/2025 08:40

Have a 🏅

Show quote history

An unnecessarily sarcastic response to @aWeeCornishPastie post. Nobody wants medals. The OP is simply interested in finding out if everyone needs a dryer or if some manage without. Therefore Pastie response appropriate. Getting the 'medal' response is tedious.

Idontpostmuch · 04/11/2025 09:13

ClarafromHR · 03/11/2025 23:43

I wish someone would explain why tumble dryers are, according to some MNers, bad for clothes but washing machines with a 1400 spin are not.
I have some clothes that are years old and are dried in my heat pump dryer.
Also, it’s been interesting to read all the comments about electricity usage but in the same posts, use of heated airers and dehumidifiers is advocated as well as heating rooms just to get a load dry.
Of course washing machines and tumble dryers use more electricity than a wash board and mangle just like our tvs use more electricity than a wireless but nobody seems to be asking us to go back to those times.
We have so many labour saving devices but there seems to be an aversion to dryers.

Show quote history

@ClarafromHR Both washing machines and dryers bad for clothes, but it's very difficult to do without a washing machine. The electricity argument only makes sense if you're not using heated airers/dehumidifiers or if you know they use less than a dryer. Definitely a saving for me because I only use ordinary airers plus an airing cupboard. Washing less makes clothes last longer and saves money but, as we've seen, that sparks a debate about hygiene. I'm not conscious of a lot of labour through not having a dryer any more than not having a freezer, but I dread the washing machine breaking. I think, even if we had space for a dryer I'd be reluctant to have one because it would be another appliance to break and need repairing.

aWeeCornishPastie · 04/11/2025 09:18

Thanks @Cheeseontoastghost and @Idontpostmuch! I literally never had a tumble dryer till a year or two ago and hardly even use it. But everyone’s different

FateReset · 04/11/2025 09:36

I'm not sure how anyone copes without one in UK climate. I use mine for kids' uniforms, everyone's undies, towels, bedding.

The thought of hanging damp socks on airers or radiators, one by one, makes me shudder!

I do use airers with dehumidifier, but only for things that might shrink, or delicates, or anything with wool. I try to tumble dry most stuff.

Things always seem to smell better if tumble dried, and can be dried in a couple of hours rather than overnight.

Cheeseontoastghost · 04/11/2025 09:48

aWeeCornishPastie · 04/11/2025 09:18

Thanks @Cheeseontoastghost and @Idontpostmuch! I literally never had a tumble dryer till a year or two ago and hardly even use it. But everyone’s different

Oh it wasn't meant to be sarcastic 😬
You posted straight after me and it made me laugh

Here instead

ClarafromHR · 04/11/2025 23:23

Idontpostmuch · 04/11/2025 09:13

@ClarafromHR Both washing machines and dryers bad for clothes, but it's very difficult to do without a washing machine. The electricity argument only makes sense if you're not using heated airers/dehumidifiers or if you know they use less than a dryer. Definitely a saving for me because I only use ordinary airers plus an airing cupboard. Washing less makes clothes last longer and saves money but, as we've seen, that sparks a debate about hygiene. I'm not conscious of a lot of labour through not having a dryer any more than not having a freezer, but I dread the washing machine breaking. I think, even if we had space for a dryer I'd be reluctant to have one because it would be another appliance to break and need repairing.

Show quote history

I honestly can’t see it. I wash everything in the machine including cashmere/ merino on appropriate settings and I have one jumper that must be 10 years old. Surely modern machines aren’t ruining our clothes otherwise they would come with some sort of clothes health warning.
i think the more damaging thing is to use the wrong detergent. I have friends who only use bio for everything and their clothes fade. Not the washer or the dryer - just the wrong detergent.

TheCheekyCyanHelper · 05/11/2025 08:09

Idontpostmuch · 04/11/2025 09:13

@ClarafromHR Both washing machines and dryers bad for clothes, but it's very difficult to do without a washing machine. The electricity argument only makes sense if you're not using heated airers/dehumidifiers or if you know they use less than a dryer. Definitely a saving for me because I only use ordinary airers plus an airing cupboard. Washing less makes clothes last longer and saves money but, as we've seen, that sparks a debate about hygiene. I'm not conscious of a lot of labour through not having a dryer any more than not having a freezer, but I dread the washing machine breaking. I think, even if we had space for a dryer I'd be reluctant to have one because it would be another appliance to break and need repairing.

Show quote history

This is hilarious. This was obviously written by someone who is clueless as to how clothes were washed before washing machines were invented. Machines are massively more gentle on clothes than humans ever were.

nonevernotever · 05/11/2025 08:38

I've never had one. We have a rotary line , a Lakeland heated airer with cover, a dehumidifier and a Bosch washing machine)I was told that Bosch have more holes in the drum so spinning it s more effective ). We spin clothes twice and if it's wet/still outside we hang them on the airer with the dehumidifier on. Things go over two rails each though, and seem to dry well without smelling musty.