Those with 3 or more children, is it possible to...

[perceptionreality]

...get all the washing done and dried without use of the tumble drier (in winter)?

I think not but if anyone has any tips that would help me avoid using it I'd be glad to hear them!

ooh, a heated airer - that sounds fab!

It's possible but not something I'd like to do without. 5 of us in this household, all of us wear uniforms that need changing daily.

I don't want to live in a laundry and don't want damp washing all over my house - quickest way to mould and mildew I think.

My A efficiency tumbler uses less energy than having the heating on so I'd rather use my tumbler than have the heating on for longer in order to dry clothes.

I have a washer dryer and very very rarely use the dryer. I have 3 dc 8, 5 and 1 and really only use it when I need something dried quickly.
I do have a corner of a bedroom where I can get 2 airers up though and as my heating is on usually anyway it all dries pretty quickly. I have to hang the clothes though because for some reason when dh loads the airer the stuf doesn't dry.
I don't leave the heating on any longer or have it any higher than I would if I wasn't drying washing.

this is the heated airer my neighbour has.

Echoing what a couple of others have said, you just need to be organised and have a large airer. I have one in my utility room which can easily take four loads.

Big things such as sheets and towels are hung in the hot press (a.k.a. airing cupboard).

I very occasionally use the tumble on my washer/drier, but only if I need something dry in a hurry.

I hate putting stuff on radiators, as I think it looks messy.

3DCs here, including one footy-mad DS who plays four times a week at least.

I have 3 kids, have a TD but it's in the garage and rarely use it. If i had a slightly bigger house and more racks I'd be fine without one but sometimes the laundry all gets a little on top of me and I fire a few loads through the tumble drier.

And i do prefer it for towels.

Where I live (central scotland) it rains A LOT so this weather is better than spring/autumn as at least now I have heating on so clothes will dry in 24 hours or so. In spring/autumn in my freezing house it can take DAYS!!

4 kids, ceiling airer and dehumidifier here, works perfectly well (if I do a load most days and am organised, is getting more difficult as the kids get bigger, was fine with babies tho')

It's the dehumidifier that's made the biggest difference to us, think it was this one, fan-bloody-tastic it is! I have it under my ceiling airer so it keeps the air circulating, can dry a load of jeans overnight with the central heating off :o

I have a tumble drier but only use it to dry the nappies (I use cloth). I wash every day and have a massive airer from Lidl that folds out. I also use the radiators for things that I want to dry quickly - e.g. fleece, which can go musty if left for a while.

I don't iron practically at all. I am careful how I hang out the clothes to dry (Smooth them etc) and fold as I take them off the airer and put straight on the shelf. I'm also not overly fussy about the clothes looking perfect, creases down the arms etc.

It can be done is my answer

I couldn't but well done to those who can! If you get a gas tumble dryer they are loads cheaper to run. We have one, cost about £300 but totally worth it in what we save in electric.

Although its not a good idea damp wise, I do like the smell of drying laundry inside!!!

Its raining sheets here today so TD will do 3 loads and I will iron what needs ironing this afternoon

DH & DS do muddy cycloX, we live in a modern but cool house (15 degrees indoors max), and we don't have damp problems in spite of lots of indoor drying but rarely on the radiators (they would never go on at all if DH had a choice). I don't know why no damp, wish I could tell you all the secret! House is well insulated but We do open windows & doors & only wash stuff that smells or looks bad, so perhaps it's down to low volume. High spin on the washing machine, too.

Agree that drying in October/March is trickiest, especially when I used cloth nappies.

Gosh, yes, perfectly possible! 7 of us, two loads, give or take, a day, two ceiling airers and it's done in 12 hours (have aga).

£ kids, me and DH and I couldn't live without my drier! I dry tops and trousers on the radiator rails, but only to reduce the need for ironing . Underwear and towels go in the drier. I HATE having stuff drying on the radiators. I've just gone around the house - there are clothes on the radiators in the kitchen, hall, playroom, dining room and lounge. It looks awful.

Where on earth do people put these big dying racks???? Or do you all have separate utility/laundry rooms?

If i was ever to have more disposable income I'd love to pay someone to do the laundry and ironing. Of all the housework jobs it's the one i hate with a passion!!!!!

There's a thought - bye bye playroom - hello laundry room but then where to put the mountain of toys

There are 6 of us (and another expected soon) - I do at least 2 loads of washing a day and yes I guess I could manage without a tumble dryer but I would not want to. I do pay through the nose to run it of course but I feel it is worth it. I do think the only way around it would be to have a AGA - my friend has five kids and most of hers is done over or around the AGA during the Autumn/Winter. I also pay someone to do the ironing because it has to be done but I just do not have the time...............

6 soon to be 7, blimey!!! - I'd be paying for someone too!!!!!

I NEED that Lakeland drier!!!! It lookd fabulous.

I have the heated Lakeland airer. It IS fabulous. Have 3ds so much needed.
Had it for two years now and if a wash is put on in by lunch I can be folding it and putting away that evening.

But I lay the clothes flat on the heated pipes in layers rather than dangle them of each as I find thats much quicker.

Both my SIL's also now have one and we wouldn't be without.