A tumble dryer is a great way to get rid of the wrinkles from your clothes. They are also handy for drying out things that can’t be left in the sun or outside on a line, such as socks and sheets. But there are some items you should never put in your tumble dryer. We’ll go through what you should and shouldn’t use a tumble dryer for, so read on to become informed as to how you can become a tumble drying expert.
First up let’s start with the tumble dryer itself. They’re all the same right? Wrong. As with most electrical appliances you can pay your money and take your choice. ‘Dryer’s’ can be fairly rudimentary appliance items to ones that have all the whistles and bells and everything in between. There are however fundamentally two types of tumble dryer, a condenser and a vented dryer.
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Vented Dryer
A vented tumble dryer is the traditional appliance you’re probably most familiar with. These are the ones that can be found in laundrettes, hostels and hotels all over the world. They work by heating air within a drum (usually made of aluminium) which is then circulated around your clothes via an electric fan. This heated air evaporates any moisture content from your clothing which drys them. The water and air are vented from the tumble dryer out through a pipe that is attached to the machine.
Condenser Dryer
A condenser dryer is a relatively new invention in the world of tumble dryers. They work by heating air within a drum (again which is usually made of aluminium) which is then circulated around your clothes via an electric fan. This heated air evaporates any moisture content from your clothing which drys them. The water and air are both condensed into liquid form. Unlike the vented dryer the water is collected in the machine itself which means you (the user) will need to empty the water after a few uses.
Which is better: condenser or vented?
Vented dryers tend to be more energy efficient so if you have a load of washing that will take a long time to dry it’s probably best to go for this option. Vented tumble dryers are also better at removing odours from clothing and shoes, whereas condenser tumble dries aren’t as effective in doing that. Condensers, on the other hand, are very much plug and play devices. You don’t need cumbersome pipes sticking out of your windows and, as such, can be used in a variety of different rooms.
Does and don’ts of tumble drying
Don’t dry anything made of rubber or certain fabrics in a tumble dryer. Items such as socks, gloves and slippers will almost certainly shrink with prolonged use in a condenser machine so it’s best to air these items instead if you have the time. Don’t put your shoes in there either. They’ll lose their shape. It’s best to tumble dry ‘every day’ items such as cotton clothing, towels and bedsheets.
As we move into the winter months it’s going to get harder to dry clothes effectively outside and space inside for clothes airers is going to become increasingly restricted so if you are looking for a tumble dryer to buy locally or online check out www.euronics.co.uk
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