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Original poster

Drying clothes issue

17 replies

owltrousers · 22/08/2017 16:21

Hello!

We currently have a standard washing machine, we then dry our clothes outside when possible or on a small clothes stand. We have a small 2 bed place so use the box room to dry clothes.

I'm currently pregnant so when the baby comes we'll lose that space to a nursery. We currently struggle with washing and are always bogged down, knowing the need to wash things is only going to increase these worries me, so I'm considering either -

  • Replacing washing machine with a washer dryer (hassle swapping)
  • Buying a 2nd hand tumble dryer (storage would be a pain)
  • Buying a heated clothes dryer (anyone use these?)

What do you think would be the easiest / more economical option?

OP posts:
MummyBearToOne1988 · 22/08/2017 23:55

Welcome to my world. I live in a 2 up, 2 down. I have the garden on a nice day and on a miserable day I use clothes airer in my bath. I can hide it with the shower curtain if guests are over and I use either the baby gate or shower curtain pole to dry towels/bed linen. Underwear in the airing cupboard. It is do able.

Mrsmurp2be · 23/08/2017 01:48

I hate clothes lol, we have just got a front garden which the sun shines on even in winter so I'm hoping this winter I'll be able to keep on top of the clothes by putting my clothes horse out the front for a couple of hours on dry days

wowfudge · 23/08/2017 11:57

Do you have a extractor in the bathroom? If so there is a third option which is airer over the bath, extractor on and close the door.

I'd get a tumble dryer though. No need to vent outside with a condensing one and you can stack them on top of the washer.

paganmolloy · 23/08/2017 12:04

Is your ceiling high enough to warrant a clothes drier (or pulley if you're Scottish)? Seriously the best thing in my house. I had one in my old flat too but it was an old Glasgow tenement with high ceilings so the laundry went on it, you pulled it up really high and it would dry really quickly because of the heat rising. My Mum also had one in the kitchen of her council house. Dodging wet clothes not really an issue but everything was wheeched off quick if she was making chips or the clothes stank (happy memories).

SloanePeterson · 23/08/2017 12:06

Tumble drier. I couldn't manage without mine but there are 5 of us. When my first was tiny we managed with airers in a tiny flat but it's just not good for you, I was ground floor in an urban area so couldn't leave windows open. I have a vented tumble drier and having just got back from a holiday where there was a condenser, I'd choose vented every time if it's an option. I can get a load completely dry in less than an hour, the condenser was taking two to three times as long. Never had an issue with shrinking or ruining clothes either. For the bedding and towels alone it's totally worth it.

Original poster
owltrousers · 23/08/2017 15:46

Thanks everyone! @paganmolloy unfortunately we have very low ceilings and small rooms so not sure it would be much of an improvement on our stand alone dryer. You've made me crave home made chips now though!

I think I'm gonna plump for a washer dryer.

OP posts:
TheHodgeoftheHedge · 23/08/2017 15:47

My heated clothes dryer (from Lakeland) is marvellous. No idea how I coped without it.

Kaffiene · 23/08/2017 15:51

I spent ages looking into the same thing. In the end we got a decent dehumidifier. I chuck most things on hangers on a compact IKea clothes horse. Sheet over the top and dehumidify underneath. Dries really quickly even without the heating on.
All the washer/dryer combi units I looked at didn't have great reviews. We did also consider a vented dryer to stick in DDs cupboard but the dehumidifier works well for use it was about £200 I think.

LittleWingSoul · 23/08/2017 17:26

I'd avoid a washer dryer OP, I've never had a good experience with any I've used. Could you try an over bath airer and a clothes horse in your bedroom? I had a similar situation with DC1 and clothes horse was always in the living room! Not ideal aesthetically, but having since used washer driers I know it was the better option (and I used washable nappies!) Washer driers take ages to dry and give clothes a really musty smell.

TeddyIsaHe · 23/08/2017 17:30

Don't get a washer drier, honestly the absolute worst thing I have ever bought! It didn't wash or dry particularly well so was absolutely pointless. I've never heard a good thing about them.

A heated drier on the other hand is fab. Takes so little time and no bigger than a usual airer. Can be shoved away when people are over, and costs much less than a tumble drier. I wouldn't be without mine now.

Millipedewithherfeetup · 23/08/2017 17:35

Would also suggest a separate tumble dryer... if you put a full load in the wash then a third or half has to come out before you put the dryer on as there is no room for the clothes to tumble properly you'll just end up with a solid crinkled to he'll ball of washing! Takes ages to get everything done.

bigredboat · 23/08/2017 17:41

I have a washer dryer (candy alise) and it washes and dries perfectly well. I think a separate dryer would be a bit quicker but it doesn't take ages and ages to try.

BackforGood · 23/08/2017 17:49

If you can make the room, then a tumble drier is your best option. Washer driers have never had a great reputation.

PuffinNose · 23/08/2017 20:39

Not read the comments above so apoligies if this has already been said but...

I bought one of those clothes driers that hang from the ceiling about 18m ago. It is amazing and has made a huge difference. It can be a bit of effort pulling it down and up when you just want one thing from it but in my tiny house it has meant I no longer have clothes horses everywhere and stuff actually dries! Ours hangs in the tiny, tiny landing between our two bedrooms. When it has trousers and the like on it, they can hang low enough to hit your head on but it's not like we spend much time on the landing so... Ours is a cheap one with wooden slats with metal brackets. I wouldn't buy one of those type again though because the wood has got manky hecause of the wet washing on it and the metal is very heavy. You can get alumium ones and the like which would probably be better.

I wouldn't recommend a washer/drier. We don't have room for a tumble drier so we've had a few washer driers in the past. When the last one died we just bought a washing machine. The washing bit of them tends to be OK but the drier was never great. It seemed to need to be on forever to make any difference and I don't know if it's because the machine was wet from washing but it seemed to just steam things.
It also, obviously, meant you couldn't wash while drying which could be a pain.

Or only buy polyester. Dries almost as soon as you pull it out of the washing machine. :)

WanderingTrolley1 · 23/08/2017 20:41

Tumble dryer.

paddypants13 · 24/08/2017 14:21

I got a washer drier when baby nbr 2 arrived. I only use it for towels and bedding really but it made a huge difference.

I also have a heated airer and it is great for drying little clothes.

Gwilt160981 · 24/08/2017 14:26

I put the clothes airer in downstairs loo and dry them in there. Hang them over doors and on the upstairs landing. Tumble dryers cost too much to run.

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