Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

to tumble or not to tumble?

26 replies

jazz412 · 19/03/2011 11:40

I'm currently pregnant and thinking of getting a tumble dryer when our bean arrives. I know that it'll make everything a lot easier especially as we don't have an airing cupboard or outside drying space.
I'm a bit stuck as to what type/make to get? ideally it would be one that does the job but doesn't use too much power/money and isn't extortionate!
I literally have no idea about tumble dryers as we never had one when I was growing up, I've only ever used one of those massive industrial sized ones at the laundrette which don't seem to have too many options...help!

OP posts:
cyb · 19/03/2011 11:42

Go to Currys, you can get one for about £150 odd. I think they are all pretty much the same tbh. Make sure you can have the vent hose going outside though

Original poster
jazz412 · 19/03/2011 12:08

what is the vent hose and why does it have to go outside? If I live in rented house - does that mean I'd have to drill through a wall/make a hole in a wall??? ahh!

OP posts:
TheDailyWail · 19/03/2011 12:09

or you can get a condenser dryer which means you don't have to vent it.

cyb · 19/03/2011 12:11

The vent hose is the long hose that attaches to the back of the machine and pumps out all the damp air created by the machine. Mine goes under my utilty room fllor and attaches to a vent outsdie. Some people just have their machine near a window and pop it out of the winodw

but a condenser means no vent, you just need to keep it topped up with water IIRC

TeaOneSugar · 19/03/2011 13:36

We have a condenser, there's not pipe outside, you just have to empty the water container and the lint filter between uses.

A condenser is more expensive but you can put one anywhere and don't have to have the window open or make a big hole in the wall.

Original poster
jazz412 · 20/03/2011 09:56

so a condenser looks like the way forward for us, is there any specific features I should look out for? and roughly how much do they add to your elec bill?
Thank you!!

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 20/03/2011 13:48

We have a Meile one, although it's an expensive outlay it's still going strong 10 years on and I expect to get another 10 years out of it if what they say about them is true.

There is a smoothing option so no more ironing!!!!! Grin

I worked out it adds about £2 quid electricity per week but I use it every day . Tbh I haven't really noticed an increase - it's meant to be super efficient etc etc.

valiumredhead · 20/03/2011 13:50

Miele Blush

Original poster
jazz412 · 20/03/2011 14:10

i have heard that miele is a good make, we were fortunate to be given a miele washing machine which is brilliant and my DPs Mum swears by the make as she has a miele tumble dryer but she also loves that its a gas one? tbh I'm not sure if I'm a fan of that idea lol

£2 a week doesn't sound too much lol! I like the sound of yours! How much was it?

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 20/03/2011 14:19

Ours isn't gas! Never heard of that before. I don't know how much ours was as dh bought it while I was in hospital having ds. It's the BEST thing he's ever bought and now we also have Miele washing machine - also 10 years old, dishwasher which is 9 and fridge and freezer Grin

I will google and see if I can find something similar because I don;t think they even make our exact one now as it's so old!

valiumredhead · 20/03/2011 14:22

www.buyersandsellersonline.co.uk/eshop/products/Miele/Laundry/Dryers%20Vented/T8722.htm

Looks similar to this one. 'Buyers and Sellers' is where we got the fridge and freezer - iirc it was nearly £300 cheaper than on the high street.

valiumredhead · 20/03/2011 14:22

And 5 year warrantee!!! Fab!

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 20/03/2011 14:26

OP, if you're in rented accomodation and there's not anywhere to easily vent a tumble dryer then you will definitely need a condensor one. Bascially it collect all the water into a bit that you pull out to empty after each use.

Fizzylemonade · 20/03/2011 15:14

I have an AEG condenser one and you can buy a "drain kit" which means it drains out of a hose at the back rather than into the bottle you have to empty.

Mine is next to the washing machine so I put the hose from the tumble drier into the same drain pipe as the washing machine.

Original poster
jazz412 · 20/03/2011 16:45

valium I had no idea miele were so expensive - DPs reaction = fuuuuuckin hell
LOL it looks perfect but unfortunately wayyy out of our price range! :(:(
DP's mums tumble dryer is at least 20 years old and has a little gas flame at the back which is apparently why it's cheaper than elec... not sure if you can even buy them nowadays!

Do they say whether their condenser/vent on them or will I have to look at the tubes and guess? haha

fizzy that sounds like a good idea, is AEG a make or a type of condenser - God I really am clueless aren't I?!

Thank you all so much so far :)

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 20/03/2011 16:50

Yeah they are expensive but not if you factor in how long they last. But yes, big initial outlay. Mine is a condenser.

I am happy to pay anything if it means I never have to iron Wink

Original poster
jazz412 · 20/03/2011 16:54

haha I would happily pay for it if I had the money, I tend to only iron when necessary anyway! Do all tumble dryers omit the need for ironing? Even shirts?

OP posts:
cyb · 20/03/2011 16:56

Yes if you whip the stuff out quick enough or dont let it spin too much in the washing machine, I have discovered

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 20/03/2011 19:44

They'll say condensor or vented on the tag in the shop.

We looked around the shops then found the best deal on the internet. I find it easier to find out the spec in the shops than online!

Original poster
jazz412 · 20/03/2011 19:58

and what was the best deal you got? :)

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 20/03/2011 20:13

Blimey, I can't remember I'm afraid. It was a couple of years ago now.

We've got a Hotpoint condensor dryer. I tend to use the price comparison websites like Kelkoo. Just watch out for delivery charges.

PartialToACupOfMilo · 20/03/2011 20:23

It looks like you're sold on a condenser, but just wanted to add that if you have a cat flap in a door you can also put the vent hose out of that - they tend to not open as much as windows so are less draughty.

Obviously if you have a cat using the cat flap it's not such a good idea though...

BlooCowWonders · 20/03/2011 20:25

Or, OP, to answer the question, no need to tumble at all. Babies clothes are so teeny tiny they don't take up any space at all to dry on hangers or those peg things from Wilko/ Ikea.

Once they start getting big, that's another matter, though I'm happy with 3 dc and no dryer, but babies are very easy.

Jojay · 20/03/2011 20:27

I have a Hotpoint condensor dryer too, that has been great.

It has a thing called Sensordry which means it senses when the clothes are dry and then stops. It takes the guess work out of how long to set it off for.

I'd recommend getting that feature if you can stretch to it.

Original poster
jazz412 · 20/03/2011 20:30

no cat flap, just can't bear the thought of having to lug a hose out of a window in winter when there's a solution of a condenser that means I wouldn't have to!

Bloocow, I'm sure I would manage somehow but drying space is an issue with just DP and I, I know babies things are small but theirs likely to be many of them and we're planning on reusables as well so they'll be those to consider hmm
I'm contemplating it, might see how the first bit goes and see if I end up completely mad with stuff hanging everywhere (like it is now when we wash bedding and clothes in close timings which is pretty regularly.)

ohhh if I had the space to dry things I wouldn't want one but for ease I'm kinda thinking why not!

OP posts: