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Original poster

someone persuade me that not having a tumble dryer is a good thing.

58 replies

lucyellensmum · 10/01/2008 15:54

Our tumble dryer gave up the ghost just before christmas. We ARE a bit broke, but there is enough spare to buy one thats on special offer in B&Q just now £135 for one that would do just lovely.

The thing is, i have managed without one, it is a bit tough having to get the stuff dry indoors but i have managed. When i had the TD i used to just put everything in there, even if it was really sunny, i know it woudlnt take me long to slip back to that way.

Firstly, will i save MONEY on electricity, and will it make any considerable contribution to reducing my carbon thingamajig

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 10/01/2008 15:55

I have a washer dryer and rarely use the dryer. Can't remember last time I did, actually. I can't wait to be able to hang stuff out in the garden again - I love, love, love the smell of line-dried washing!

MaureenMLove · 10/01/2008 16:01

(excuse typos, keyboard sticking!)

i haven;t had a tumble dryer for about 10 years. I don't have any trouble getting stuff dry on airer iin the winter, but yoou do need to be a bit more organised, if you need something for a certain day. I also put all the underwear on thhe rad in the bedroom of the person that owns it. thatt way, its not my job to put it away!

TheGiftedandTalentedGoat · 10/01/2008 16:04

i have never had one. i have athingy that hangs from the ceiling that is just as good imo.

yULeYSEES · 10/01/2008 16:05

I don't have one just hang stuff on clothes horse. My electric bill shows this too

TheIceQueen · 10/01/2008 16:05

I don't have one - have 3 DS's (7,4 and 7 months) and cope just fine

sophy · 10/01/2008 16:06

If you can manage without one, good for you.

Tumble driers use a huge amount of electricity.

Flllightattendant · 10/01/2008 16:06

Oh my. The electricity bill when I was using mine on a regular basis was MASSIVE!!! So I sold it, and then bought another when i was expecting to cloth nappy Ds2. I have used it about 10 times in 6 months, because when the heating is on everything dries fine on an airer - I just use it to finish things like sheets when nearly dry.
I wish I hadn't botherd getting it! I'm not cloth nappying now anyway but even if I was, wouldn't use it much cos it is so expensive to run.
HTH

FourJays · 10/01/2008 16:07

Haven't had one for ages. I use a clothes horse too and outside in the summer.
Less ironing too if it's not all scrunched up in tumble drier.

Minum · 10/01/2008 16:08

I have a combined washer/dryer but very rarely use the dryer. I hang stuff on hangers in the doorways, and everything drys really quickly, and gets put straight away. Little things dry on the airer at top of stairs. And theres always the radiators if I'm in a hurry.

Big pluses of not having one ;
Save money/reduce carbon output/save space in the kitchen/clothes dont get damaged by heat

Maidamess · 10/01/2008 16:09

I'm sorry but I wouldn't be without mine! I think it irons for me too. Have a washing line too, and you'll hardly use it in the summer.

saadia · 10/01/2008 16:14

I have one but only use it rarely, eg for bedsheets. Don't really have a problem drying stuff on rediators. Having said that our washing machine does have a very fast spin cycle so clothes come out just a bit damp and don't take long to dry on the radiator, in fact probably quicker than the dryer would be in some cases.

Threadworm · 10/01/2008 16:19

We don't have one. Just use line outside in summer and clothes horse in winter. You'll save money, contribute less to global warming, and have less crackly, frizzed-out clothes. The indoor drying compensates for the over-dryness of centrally heated air, and line drying in summer gives your clothes a freshness and fragrance that no amount of conditioner ever can.

ConnorTraceptive · 10/01/2008 16:23

We have one but have stopped using it because it's not working well and you have to put everything on for twice as long so not enegy effcient at all.

Am getting by fine as we can't afford to replace it yet. TBH I wouldn't buy a cheap one I would wait until you've got more to spend and get one that's really energy effecient - BUT don't use it all the time

JingleyJen · 10/01/2008 16:26

don't have one - never have - always manage to wash everything including nappies without issue, do have to be diligent about washing though as you need to allow drying time for things whereas for a tumbler I imagine you can wash something the night before and be certain that it will be dry the next day.
we were told by so many people that it is vital with children to have one but I don't find that to be the case so far.

Give it 6 months - if you can do it through the winter the summer will be a breeze.

Whizzz · 10/01/2008 16:30

We don't have one - out on the line in the summer & use a clothes airer upstairs in winter

fordfiesta · 10/01/2008 16:32

we dont have one.... would have been useful when ds was in real nappies but otherwise dont really feel the need for one..... and it is only the two of us so that makes it easier. we also have a drying maid that is above our rayburn (this is our only heat source we 'aint posh')and clothes dry really well on this.

BlueChampagne · 13/01/2008 17:34

If you've managed without - keep going. We've never had one and use rads & airer in winter, even with cloth nappies. Put your money towards something else and have a nice big cupboard or extra shelves where the TD used to be. You'll soon wonder how you did without the extra storage space!

milou2 · 14/01/2008 07:33

Our tumble dryer broke so while I waited for it to be mended I got into drying everything naturally. I felt so proud of my self for reducing electricity consumption and generally being a green queen.

Now the tumbler is mended I feel happier knowing it is there in case of illness, to get everything washed and dried quickly.

I only use it once a week or so now, for puffing up our anoraks after they have been washed.

I appreciate the special material my husband's running clothes are made out of, they dry instantly, as do fleece items.

Noellefielding · 14/01/2008 07:38

I have one but only use it rarely, I dry on the line in summer and on racks in winter. I just about have room in our spare room to put up a big rack in front of a radiator.
My mother brought me up to frown on all excessive electricity use!

Sobernow · 14/01/2008 07:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ernest · 14/01/2008 07:57

I have one and use it.

In the summer i line dry, but still at least finish off towels in the dryer, otherwise they're like cardboard.

Seriously, what do you do with your towels if you never tumble dry? Or do you get used to rigid cardboard quickly?

MIL used to use fabric softner but all while of her towels are lovely and soft, they're also waterproof and totally disgusting to use.. Do not absorb a drop.

muppetgirl · 14/01/2008 07:58

REALLY EXPENSIVE! We have just had a tonling electricity/gas bill and are now only using it for the baby's towels. (I don't mind the so-hard-as-nails-it-exfoliates-you type of towel but lo is only 10 weeks )

muppetgirl · 14/01/2008 07:58

that was meant to be 'stonking bill'

Twiggypiggy · 14/01/2008 08:00

I have one and use it maybe once/twice a week. I prefer to put the clothes out onto the washing line - can't wait for the better weather to come although I have had some stuff out on bright days in winter which has dried to about 80%.

I put light stuff on the radiator and airer and towels/jeans into the td.

I would never use the td in summer.

Elf · 14/01/2008 13:39

Has anyone got one of those old fashioned type airers, wooden poles joined together which hang from the ceiling?

Where do you get them and would a non DIY type couple be able to get it up do you think? ho ho.