Why I Prefer to Tumble Dry My Laundry

Laundry is basically my arch-nemesis, it's a never-ending brawl in my household! My family of six and three fur babies always seem to have something that needs washing. Some days I feel like I'm running a non-stop laundromat! And don't even get me started on my sons' "lump and dump" technique - they just let their dirty laundry sit there for days in their bedrooms, until they realise they are running out of clean clothes to wear. They pick up the whole lump of laundry and dump it all in the laundry basket, like a Mount Everest of clothes and bedding. But when I finally tackle that pile and the laundry basket is empty, it's cause for celebration! Even if my victory is short-lived...

Doing laundry can be a never-ending task. And don't forget all the thrilling steps involved - washing, drying, sorting, and the dreaded, ironing. It's like a whole part-time job, except you don't get paid. Unless you count the satisfaction of a wrinkle-free blouse as payment, in which case, ‘bonus’. The miracle of tumble drying can save you precious time and effort. Without it, my house would be overrun with laundry hanging from every available surface. Clothes horses, chairs, I wouldn't be surprised if my dog was wearing a pair of my undies as a hat at this point - heed my advice - don't let the laundry take over. Embrace the magic of tumble drying and reclaim your home from the clutches of dirty socks and stained t-shirts.

So why else do I prefer to tumble dry:

Firstly, tumble drying is much quicker than air-drying. Waiting for clothes to dry on a clothesline or around the house can take several hours, especially if the weather is bad. Tumble drying, on the other hand, can dry a full load in about an hour or two.

Secondly, tumble drying is great at removing stubborn dog hair that cling to clothes and other fabrics. As much as I love my dogs, 2 are beagles, and they moult a lot! Their hair gets everywhere – on the sofa, on the bedding, and most frustratingly on our clothes - EVERYWHERE. Tumble drying my laundry helps to loosen any pet hair and remove it more effectively than air-drying. This saves me the hassle of having to lint roll the clothes, which is time-consuming and frustrating.

Thirdly, tumble-drying helps soften laundry and leave them feeling fluffy – especially towels. It can also help reduce static cling, which makes it easier to fold and store clothing. It also helps remove wrinkles/creases from some clothing (depending on the type of clothing) and leaves them looking neat enough to avoid ironing – yay, I hate ironing!

However, there are also some downsides to tumble drying. You can’t tumble dry all clothing. The high heat can damage certain materials, such as delicate fabrics, and contribute to wear and tear on clothes over time. Don’t do a me, and shrink you son’s £290 new merino wool sweater – an expensive mistake – we still have a laugh at how small it shrunk too.

I own a heat pump tumble dryer, it uses a lower temperature, and by doing so it saves a significant amount of energy compared to condenser or vented models – but it does mean the drying cycle takes a lot longer, and this means it provides a more gentle and better protection for my clothes and laundry. Also, I don’t need a vent with a heat pump tumble dryer, you just empty the water tank out after every couple of cycles.

My heat pump tumbler dryer is an absolute lifesaver! But let's be real, the best way to dry your clothes is all up to you! It's all about finding the method that works just right for your needs and preferences. So, what's your laundry game plan?