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Original poster

Are tumble driers worth it?

87 replies

RedStripeIassie · 20/03/2017 11:11

I'm renting a new place soon with a space and a hole going outside to fit a tumble drier. Is it worth getting one? Are they expensive to run and do they do a decent job?

I've only got one child so it's not loads of washing and I've got a garden.

TIA

OP posts:
OdinsLoveChild · 20/03/2017 11:16

Yes theyre worth it. I have children, dogs, muddy hobbies etc and without it my house would constantly smell of damp washing due to the amount of washing I do (at least 1 load a day). In the winter its brilliant being able to wrap up in fluffy towels when you get out the bath/shower and do a quick turn around for that favourite item or just if someone has been unwell.
I only use mine if its raining and through winter when its too cold to dry anything outside.
I have no idea how much it costs to use but I think they give a rough cost per load on the usual websites. My electricity bill is considered to be 'average' for my size of family and house so it cant be too much because we also have the usual computers, games consoles etc in use by teenagers.

JoJoSM2 · 20/03/2017 11:20

I can't believe that in the 21st century some people don't have them lol They do a great job - everything is dry in 1-2h and you can put it away. No laundry all over the house or the garden. Not sure about exact running cost but can't be much as my bills are generally very low and I use it a lot. However, rather than the whole in the wall type, I'd recommend a condenser one as they are actually more advanced.

Degasinacar · 20/03/2017 11:20

If someone removed my tumble dryer from my flat I would make Liam Neeson in Taken look like a puppy dog on a walk. So yes, worth it!

BackforGood · 20/03/2017 11:22

Yes. 100% worth it.
I'd have one even if I lived on my own.
Hate having wet washing making the house damp all yr round - there aren't that many days you can call 'good drying days' if you are in the UK.
Not expensive when you factor in the lack of ironing then needed, and the fact you don't have to put heating on to start drying a backlog of washing in a wet and miserable week.

MusicToMyEars800 · 20/03/2017 11:23

I don't have one Sad but would love to have one, they are great they make the place smell like fresh washing keep the kitchen ( or wherever you keep it ) warm and most of the time there's no need to iron the clothes that come out of it Grin

Original poster
RedStripeIassie · 20/03/2017 11:24

Wow, big love for the Tumble on MN (and not just Lord Tumble different CBeebies thread).

Ok so how much should I spend on a second hand and what brand please?

OP posts:
FreedomMummy · 20/03/2017 11:30

Yes, yes they are worth it!! I only got mine 18 mths ago but now don't know how I'd survive without it.

We bought This One and have been very happy with it. Not sure about 2nd hand ones but we have bought a few Beko appliances and had no issues.

Firstaidnovice · 20/03/2017 11:35

Haha, I think getting my tumble drier was a happier day than the birth of second DC. We have a Bosch, and it's awesome. Same as washing machine, and both have a larger than average capacity which is also great. I now do all our clothes washing (pretty much) on one day, so everything is cleaned, dried and folded back in drawers on one day, rather than small random piles of clean washing folded outside doors throughout the week. This makes me very happy, but then I am a bit of a loser Grin

allegretto · 20/03/2017 11:35

I've never had one so don't miss it. I also have 3 kids and live in a flat with no outdoir space. Dry outside! Save the planet! Grin

Original poster
RedStripeIassie · 20/03/2017 11:47

allegretto that was my thinking but I'm getting swept up in the mumsnet love for them Blush.

Thanks freedom I'll look into second hand first but they do a payment plan on your one.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedStripeIassie · 20/03/2017 11:48

Not a loser furstaid! I used to live in a damp flat made damper by washing everywhere. Quick Dry clothes are the dream Grin

OP posts:
UsedToBeAPaxmanFan · 20/03/2017 11:55

I think they are one of those items that, once you've had one, you can't believe how you managed without one.

We try to dry outside where possible. However, in our house every week there is 3 sets of bedding, four sets of towels, clothes for 4 adults..... we do 2 loads of washing most days and there is no way we could dry it all without a Tumble Dryer.

DH, myself and our 2 dc all work full time so there's no possibility of someone being around to get the washing in if it rains. From November to March it's quite difficult to hang it out at all even if the weather is ok because we all leave the house in the dark and get back in the dark, so the washing would be out in the damp.

I know it's not that environmentally sound but I really couldn't be without the tumble dryer. I'm wfh today and I've already washed and dried two loads of washing as it's raining outside.

PuntCuffin · 20/03/2017 11:56

I don't have one, haven't for about 4 years and don't miss it at all. I hardly ever used it.

Everything is line dried. Even when i had a baby in cloth nappies, i didn't use it often. But, i have a separate utility room with a high level airer and a garden for if the sun ever comes out.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 20/03/2017 11:58

Life would be harder without it that's for sure! Wouldn't want to be without mine, it cuts down on ironing as well, my DDs stuff gets tumble dried and so long as you take it out when it's done and fold, it doesn't need ironing.

BitOutOfPractice · 20/03/2017 11:59

In a word, yes they are

xStefx · 20/03/2017 12:01

I love mine, I can do 4 or 5 loads of washing in one day (if ive been lazy during the week) and get them dry , folded and put away same day.

Also, I always get them out while still hot and almost never have to pick up an iron :-)

SnowGlobes · 20/03/2017 12:19

Mines a Bosch but beko have a very good reputation too.

ChestyCough · 20/03/2017 12:24

The best one I had was a tiny, cheap, hosed one. But it was really basic.

Now I've got a huge all singing all dancing (literally beeps when finished to keep reminding me), and it has various settings for freshening up clothes(really works!), to tumble drying clothes you aren't supposed to tumble dry!

My ironing is massive if I don't use the tumble dryer.

hoddtastic · 20/03/2017 12:27

just don't get hoover or candy. they are shit.

BounceBounceSplishSplash · 20/03/2017 12:27

Yes and No imo. I only got one for the first time last year before DD was born. She's now 8 months and I don't tend to dry a lot of her stuff in it apart from bibs and Muslin clothes as the dryer tends to shrink her clothes slightly. I don't use it for my stuff either apart from knickers once again due to shrinkage and it's made some clothes fade and a bit bobbly. DP has used one for years and continues to dry all his stuff in it no problem so it's handy not to have to air dry his clothes.

Ours is a Bush one which we got from Argos for about £150 on offer.

Original poster
RedStripeIassie · 20/03/2017 12:28

I've never really done ironing Blush.
Would a tumble drier mean I never have too?

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 20/03/2017 12:36

Totally recommend WHITE KNIGHT TUMBLE DRIERS SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

very cheap but brilliant and simple to use SmileSmileSmileSmile

(without lots of sensors and programmes that you won't use and also that "sense" the washing is dry when it isn't) but does have timer and crease care so no ironing SmileSmileSmileSmile

Excellent reputation, Yorkshire company with free delivery SmileSmileSmileSmileSmile

BeyondThePage · 20/03/2017 12:39

DD has hayfever - really bad hayfever - so we use the tumble drier for all of her clothing and bedding all year round. I like my stuff to be line dried, but if I notice her getting worse I even dry ours in the dryer too.

toffee1000 · 20/03/2017 12:42

We never line dry outside. The weather is too unreliable. Am surprised at the number of people who do tbh.

Cakescakescakes · 20/03/2017 12:43

Basically yes of course anyone can manage without one but I'd rather not. It makes my life a lot easier and I enjoy how fluffy my towels are after being tumblr dried. I do line dry a lot (weather permitting) but I love not having damp washing hanging around. (I don't tumble my tops though as they generally shrink). For towels, bedding, pj's, underwear, kids clothes etc it is fantastic.