Tumble dryer or heated airer?

[Rainatnight]

I’m completely overwhelmed by laundry. Family of four, DC are 1 and 3. It’s endless. I’m doing a load a day at the moment and barely making a dent in the laundry basket.

I’ve realised that the drying is the problem. I have a normal airer and an airing cupboard, but it means it takes a whole day or more to get everything completely dry, which means there’s just a limit to how quickly I can get through the laundry.

I was thinking about a tumble dryer, which would have the advantage of getting it done quickly, but are they very hard on clothes? I’ve sent a couple of loads to the laundrette for drying when I’ve been desperate and all DDs’ dresses come back just a little bit smaller. And I don’t think I’d use it for my and DPs clothes that we really care about so then I’d be faffing around separating what can be tumble dried and what has to be hung up.

The alternative is a heated airer, but they’re less quick and quite a bit of faffing with hanging everything up.

Any thoughts from experience?

I have both - I prefer my tumble dryer
It took me a while to find a setting that didn't shrink stuff but once I got there it's been fine :-)

things that are nice / I don't want to risk shrinking I do put on the heated airer

You need a tumble dryer. I got one 18 months ago and honestly don't know how I managed the laundry without one.

For me, the best bit is of you get everything out as soon as it's finished and folded or hung up, you don't really need to iron it.

How about a dehumidifier? You can hang up several machine loads at the same time and it'll dry everything overnight, plus stops condensation on windows, mould in bathrooms and makes your heating work a bit better.

I've got a £100 Aldi one which is big and really good.

Tumble driers are very expensive to run I think

I your shoes, I'd get the tumble drier.

Tumble dryer. We use it for everything except delicates (small flat, no radiators and not allowed to hang washing on the balcony) and don’t have any issues with shrinking. I honestly don’t know how we ever coped without.

Heat pump tumble dryer. They don’t cook your clothes like older style dryers so no shrinkage.

Tumble dryer definitely. It makes the whole process of cleaning clothes quicker (removes the steps if hanging out and then folding - you can fold straight out of the dryer). Things are also ready really quickly so you can wash sheets for example and have them dry and back in the bed in one day.

Plus you don't have tons of wet washing hanging around for days.

I am particular with washing so I don't tumble everything but even with sorting the load as it comes up and hanging up the free things that can't be tumbled it's still so much quicker.

I have a heated airer to that I got before the tumble dryer and tv e dryer is so much better. It also softens the clothes.

I also haven't noticed an increase in my electric bill which I was worried about.

Tumble dryer is great for bedding which takes up so much space to dry.

Dryers just eat energy, electricity, the world. I have 3 kids, used cloth nappies w all and got by fine w a Sheila Maid and dehumidifier. Wd have been hard without dehumidifier so I do sympathise. But if you want to leave a world for your kids, at least try the heated airer first!

Definitely tumble dryer! So quick to just throw the things in, shut the door and forget and by the time the next load is washed, that one's dry. I sometimes forget to do laundry, there are 5 of us here, I can get 4 wash loads done and dry and put away with ease in one day, could do more!

Tumble dryer (vented one not a condenser one where you have to keep emptying the collected water). Just make sure you check labels first so you only tumble dry suitable clothing. You can get these airer hooks you put on radiators from Wilkinsons so you can put more delicate clothing on those in winter.

Depending on your situation and space and finances - tumble dryer is quickest and easiest by far but expensive and can definitely shrink some clothes a bit; dehumidifier especially if you can fit in 2 loads in a day then hang in a small room like a bathroom overnight with the dehumidifier running. Takes around 8 hours but is cheaper by far especially if you have Economy 7.

Also the heated drying racks do speed up drying but also are just pumping moisture into the air of your home which is not good for mould in the winter.

A dehumidifier is AMAZING. I just bought a Meaco 25L one and it’s fantastic. My house is single glazed and condensation central in the winter, was taking ages for clothes to dry. Dehumidifier has made a massive difference.
I also have a tumble dryer and only use it for towels and bedding. Also a family of 4.

Tumble 100%. I know it's not great for the environment but I honestly couldn't cope with drying clothes on airers. Even used one when I was living alone and didn't do much washing!