Please help me abandon my principles ...

[roisin]

I've always wanted a tumble drier, but every time I get close to buying one (choose a model, decide where it's going, etc.) my
green-ish credentials kick in, and I just can't bring myself to buy something that I view as an unnecessary luxury, and environmentally damaging.

But this morning I hung two big loads of washing out, got wet in the rain, brought them in and rinsed and spun them again in the machine, hung them out again, then brought them all in again when it started to rain again, and have now hung them inside on clothes horses ... I just can't face the prospect of constant laundry in another Cumbrian winter.

Should I abandon my principles?

we don't have much room. are the ones that combine with the washing machine any good?

mildly tempted!...guilt guilt...

More ironing? I thought it would reduce the ironing? What's that about?!

I wouldn't bother with a combo job. Often the drum is too small to be an effective tumbler, IYSWIM. They also often cost more to replair if they go wrong.

Oh for an airing cupboard. (sigh!)

Admit it roisin. You're desperate for a dryer. You want to be talked into it not out of it.

DH and I stayed in a gorgeous house in the Lakes about 6 months ago, which had a fantastic thing called a 'drying cupboard', like a huge upright tumble drier (without the tumble). Was fab, but it was very big (about the size of one of those HUGEMONGUS American style fridges), and prob v expensive too.

Spidermama - of course I want to be talked into it.

I've just been on the phone to my db to find out what model his new one is, and I've been on kelkoo to find the best prices

I might wait til dh gets home before I order it though!

Call me old-fashioned but I use my airing cupboard to air the clothes after they've been ironed (or not-ironed depending on the clothes) but definitely after they're dry

Can people only have a tumble dryer when they're married then?

Cam, you're old fashioned

If you are really sure you want one, buy a gas one, I have one and it's fab. the cost is the same as electric, but you have to have it installed.

if you get a tumble dryer you can spend more time baking cakes and home teaching your children - you may be able to spend a couple of minutes looking at boden to buy your children some new clothes - all stuff you cannot do tied to the washing line ( metaphorically)

I'd love a tumble dryer! I'm dead jealous, roisin! Go for it!

Knew someone would nomdeplume

Hmm, an Aga: six grand for an airer/bum warmer. (I hate them)

I have one but use it with moderation. I use the clothes horse but if I have a second lot to dry I take the nearly dry stuff off and give it a tumble dry. Bit labour intensive but makes me feel better than if I put the wet stuff in. I'm also paranoid about it fading stuff so I only use it for underwear, bed clothes and towels. I know it's bad and I shouldn't use it at all.

custardo - ouch!

Dh came home and enthusiastically agreed. So he's ordered one, to be delivered on Thursday!

Who needs principles anyway?!

I use mine all the time. I always finish off line clothes in there as it reduces the number of things that need ironing. Yes it does shrink things but I just buy things a bit bigger than we need!!

I craved one, bought one, used in about 10 times then it broke - wasn't ever bothered enough to get it fixed...I say don't bother

IMO tumble driers save a huge amount of time no pegging out, no bringing in, no turning clothes on the line and repegging to get even drying - and best of all minimal ironing

you can also do several loads of washing in one day and have it dry and put away

Message withdrawn

abadon your principles, get your tumble drier - your boys will get bigger and bigger, so bigger clothes to wash, so more and more washing.... but if you feel guilty, find other ways to save energy around your home (unless you have done everything possible,in which case you DESERVE a tumble drier).

Oh dear - feel guilty now I use one all of the time.

Im afraid I use it in the summer too

Oh but www they do other things too like cooking
and bum - warming function sounds quite appealing now there's a nip in the air