Tumble driers

Using a tumble dryer through a window has the obvious problem of having to leave the window open. (Unless, of course, you have a lucky hole in the glass already waiting. Or make one.) So you get warm air going out/cold air coming in. Not a good idea in a cold winter - regardless of other issues.

I can't be the only one who feels that running a tumble dryer for an hour for one shirt is a bit on the wasteful side. How about buying an extra shirt and making yourself not so dependent upon drying one shirt?

What about 14 shirts then do a full load every 14 days. That would leave 4 in reserve in case of emergencies or ironing/time restrictions.(assuming w/ends are not shirt days) :¬)

Well - I didn't want to make too radical a suggestion. :-)

And tumble dryers don't work very well when underloaded - the warm/hot air tends to go straight past the load. Get the load just right and they work much better.

PS: What's an iron? (Actually have had to do the ironing since partner fell ill - not a huge amount, but what a tedious bore. Can't even start without switching on Radio 4.)

I was in B&Q and spotted a display for what looks like a white box to fit on the end of the pipe coming from a dryer. The steam goes in to it and turns back to water. Make your own! A bucket and a few ice packs from the freezer and a cover on the top.

Some decent shirts at George in Asda. Wash weekly - if not more infrequently. (clothes - not body)

Having owned both types, to directly answer your question (though I totally agree with the views expressed earlier as to load size, buying a few shirts etc!!), I would favour the condensing sort for your situation. Yes, there is some ongoing maintentance to do, but it doesn't take very much time - empty the water container every few times you use it, clean the fluff filter (also necessary for non- condensing types), clean other filter - but that doesn't take long either, and only happens maybe 1 a month (depending on how often you use it of course). I used to have the other sort, and disposing of the moist air was a pain - we had to fit an extractor fan. Mike

What's the pay-back time on a tumble dryer?

Mary

Jesus christ. It's always the bloody same on usenet. Ask one question, get an answer to another.

The only really decent shirt I own came from New & Lingwood. The Asda ones I've seen are s**te, and Next ones are good for the price.

About 3 months or less. the care workers will not peg out the washing but they will put the washing in the tumble drier.. so it saves two visits a week at around £10 each to get a cleaner in to do it. (It costs around £10 ph to get someone in to clean dads house and peg out the washing..) Its a no brainer.

Rod wrote on 07/09/2008 :

Womens Hour, perhaps?

Mikeyboy wrote on 07/09/2008 :

Our condensers (two so far) have always dumped the condensate straight in the drain. I recommend the condensing type, we have had no moisture issues in the room it runs in at all (utility room). Their predecessor, the none condensing type drier only, caused lots of moisture issues.

Nothing like the dulcets of Ms Murray. :-)

Bleurch.

Mary

We've had both and I'd definitely go for condensing again. Our current condensing unit has quite a big reservoir for the condensate but it is quite easy to empty. The filter is no problem either.

I've never liked the idea of using expensive electricity to warm up the air and then vent it outside!

You do need to check. Some "condensors" don't condense much at all - most of the moisture ends up in the room.

Andy

I'm surprised no-one mentioned this yet.... much better IME