11 Ways to save money using a tumble dryer

We don’t get much sun, so drying our clothes outside isn’t always an option so we resort to using our tumble dryers, if you’re someone that usually finds that they have no alternative but to use it, I’ve put together 11 ways to save money using a tumble dryer.

I often dread the words, I’m going to do some washing in our house as more often than not it means one thing, the dyer is going on and I’m going to be keeping an eye on our smart meters IHD to see how much it’s going to cost.

There’s no getting around it, tumble dryers are expensive to run so if there’s any way to get your dryer working efficiently then not only will it save you money it will mean that your washing gets dryer quicker.

Ways to save money using a tumble dryer

Choose an energy-efficient model

When buying a tumble dryer, not only should you be thinking about how well it fits in the space you have available but its energy rating too.

Unsurprising, the most energy-efficient models are generally at the higher price point, but after looking at several dryers online at various shops many have an are rated B.

Only use it on a full load

When you bought your tumble dryer, how much you could load into it was probably one purchase factor, but how often do you use it to its maximum capacity.

When doing your wash make every effort to only put the dryer on when it is at full capacity, this not only means that you don’t have to put it on several times but also means that it isn’t having to work to heat up with every new load.

Don’t overload it

Just as important in ensuring that you use it on a full load, make sure that you don’t overload it too.

The dryer uses warm air to dry your washing and if you have overloaded it the air won’t be able to flow freely and will take longer for your washing to dry.

Make sure it is maintained

Our kitchen appliances are often our home’s workhorses so make sure that you maintain your tumble dryer to keep it running as efficiently as possible.

Remove any lint and if it’s a condenser dryer be sure to empty the water that it has collected after each use.

Use tumble dryer balls

Tumble dryer balls work by separating your clothes allowing the warm air to pass through them, reducing the time needed dry your clothes.

You can buy them from any home store and they can be either made of plastic or from natural fibres and can be picked up for less than £10.

Place it in a warm room

You probably don’t have much say where you place the tumble dryer, but in any event, make sure that the room it is placed in is at the very least, warm.

Fasten up your bedding

Your underwear and other small items seem to have a canny way of finding themselves in your bedding when they are not fastened and end up just as wet as they were when they were in the dryer.

Remove the moisture from your washing

Though you’re using a tumble dryer to dry your clothes, you can get yourself a headstart before you even place your clothes in the dryer.

Set the spin cycle on your washing machine to its fastest setting, alternatively wring them out as tightly as possible to remove any excess water.

Dry similar fabrics together

It will come as no surprise that different fabrics will have different drying times, so whenever possible try dry similar fabrics together and if you can those that weigh the same too.

Proper maintenance

A tumble dryer is not only expensive to run but can also be expensive to maintain if not looked after properly, so make sure that you read the manufactures instructions on care and maintenance and always make sure the lint filter is clear.

Choose your settings wisely

The setting that you have your tumble dryer on will affect the time it takes to dry your laundry, an extra dry setting, usually used for heavier items will go through a hotter cycle and take longer and will cost more than a cupboard dry setting.

Alternatives to a tumble dryer

With the cost of energy as it is at the moment, putting on the tumble dryer might not be your best option for drying your clothes, so here are some alternatives for you.

Heated clothes airer

A heated clothes airer is more expensive to buy than standard versions but will dry your clothes quicker as they use electricity to heat the rails.

They use around 240 watts, compared to a tumble dryers relatively low, compared to the 2500 Watts used in a condenser/vented dryer.

As an added advantage they are collapsible, meaning that they can be stored away, useful when space is limited.

Clothes pod

These work a lot like hair dryers in that they use hot air to dry your washing, but your washing is contained within a cover ensuring that the heat is trapped resulting in your washing being dried quicker.

You’ll probably be looking at spending £100 for a good clothes pod, which will use around 1000w. 

They can be folded away, so like heated clothes airers, are ideal if space is limited.

Conclusion

Tumble dryers are great if you need to get your washing dry quickly, but if you must use it then some quick wins will help you run it more efficiently, including, only using it on a full load, not overloading it and using dryer balls, 

If you’re able it would be better to let your washing dry naturally or use an alternative such as a heated clothes airer or clothes pod.

The best thing you can do before switching on your dryer is actually having some consideration as to what you’re putting in and whether you are really in a rush to get those items dry, if not then save yourself some money and get yourself an airer, if you haven’t got one already.