How to cut down on dryer usage

[nirvanauk]

With the rising energy costs, we are going to have to try and cut down our tumble dryer usage.

At the moment I tumble dry everything and fold it while still warm so barely anything needs ironing.

If we stop using the dryer, is there any other tips to avoid clothes getting creased? I really want to avoid spending ages ironing as I will struggle to find time

[hippolyta]

I agree that a tumble helps get rid of creases and I never iron.
I never dry anything in tumble dryer. It either goes on the line or on airers or over the bannister.
When it's dry or almost dry, anything that's creased gets a minute in the dryer before I put it away.

[HalfShrunkMoreToGo]

I hang stuff that creases easily on hangers when it's wet then out the hangers on the line.

[itsthesoundofthepolice]

I only use the drier for bedding/towels if the can't go out and I don't iron a single thing.

I do an extra spin on all wash loads, give everything a vigorous shake and either out to dry or put it on the clothes horse.

[BertieBotts]

Won't you end up just using as much electricity from the iron?

Can you swap your dryer for a new energy efficient one? I appreciate that's an upfront cost though.

The creases in air dried clothes do shake out as you wear them. The key is to hang them up ASAP after the wash finishes, don't leave them lying around in the machine. The longer they are all scrunched up wet the more the creases set.

[byvirtue]

I’ve never used a dryer, just either hang up or smoothe out as I put them on an airer. I never iron either!

[puppetcat]

could you tumble for a very short while then take out / hang on hangers while still damp? Enough to get creases out but not enough to use too much energy.

[AwkwardPaws27]

We've never had a drier. Shake everything well and hang flat to dry. Spread it out - I use a rotary airer outside whenever possible, but I also have two clothes horses for inside.

You are better off doing one load and spreading it out well, than doing two and cramming the stuff together; it honestly will dry a lot quicker.

I never iron - even shirts dry well on a hanger and I'm a lazy cow

[CorneliaStreet42]

I only use my dryer for towels and bedding now.

Fabric softener makes clothes less creased and easier to iron IMO.

Hang stuff up as soon as possible after the wash has finished. Shake clothes out and shape them whilst damp. DH doesn't do this and it drives me insane. If you're drying inside, hang clothes on hangers.

Also, get a little less precious about ironing everything. I only iron DC school uniforms and my jeans now (no one else in my house wears jeans). Since having kids, I've become lazy and tend to buy stuff that won't need ironed.

[SheWoreYellow]

A hard shake before hanging up is enough for most things.

[StarCourt]

I have no outside space at all to dry things so often use my tumble drier or part dry tops then put on hangers with the windows open.
Think I'm going to have to stop that soon though with the price increases

[ImJustMum]

I only use my dryer for pants and socks. Everything else goes outside in the summer or on the banister and radiators. If you give it a good flick as you get it out the washing machine, it doesnt need ironing. Ive not had a iron for years. Only think i have to chuck in to de crease is my work shirts for 5 mins

[LubaLuca]

Fabric softener helps to reduce creasing. Drying things like bedding on the line on a windy day helps (we can't plan for this often though, unfortunately!).

An hour's worth of ironing doesn't use anywhere near as much energy as having the tumble dryer on for an hour (I have both, I have a smart meter). I iron clothes every week but use the tumble dryer only if there is no other option.

[StarCourt]

Does anyone have one of those pulley drying systems? As well as no outdoor space I have very little indoor space to dry stuff. But I do have high ceilings

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

If you shake out the washing immediately and get it on the line creasing is minimal. Use hangers for tops and shirts.

I've stopped using the dryer too.

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

@StarCourt

Does anyone have one of those pulley drying systems? As well as no outdoor space I have very little indoor space to dry stuff. But I do have high ceilings

I've had one in the past, they're great.

[flapjackfairy]

some driers have a refresh cycle that doesn't use any heat but is designed to drop creases out so see if you have that option.

[nearlyspringyay]

Fold and smooth before hanging. I've got a tumble dryer but have never really used it. I don't iron anything.

[StillWeRise]

a pulley plus a dehumidifier is a good combo

[swedex]

I have no tumble dryer or iron.
They get a shake when they get hung up and then folded when put away.
Honestly I can't tell the difference in 90% of my clothing once it's put on!

[Giveitall]

I don’t have a dryer. I line dry. I watch the forecast on telly & plan my wash accordingly. I only iron what’s absolutely essential.

Im lucky in that I have a conservatory so in winter I can put things over an airer or two. The slightest sun warms the conservatory which helps.

If I didn’t have the conservatory I’d buy a “Hills indoor line” (Google it. Others are available) for the bathroom and get it fitted. With a window cracked open & the door shut to avoid damp issues/condensation you can dry a surprising amount of washing.

[Caspianberg]

Never use ours for clothing and very rarely iron.
most things are fine to shake and hang up. You can hang shirts or things that need ironing onto a coat hanger wet and then hang out to dry. Our drying rack has some pull out bits at the side suitable for sock octopus thing or coat hangers.

[Ariela]

10 minutes in the dryer to lift creases, then hang on a hanger to dry, hanger can hang outdoors on line if needed.

Or line dry, then put in dryer with a slightly damp cloth for 10 mins to drop the creases.

[StarCourt]

I also wash the bedding very frequently and throws, blankets etc as I have a dog who really sheds

[MissFritton65]

@StarCourt I've recently had a pulley dryer put into my utility room. It's part of an extension on an Edwardian house so has a high ceiling; it's so useful and especially great with the underfloor heating. I've lost count of the number of people who ask me about it!