Green tips for condenser dryers

Machine drying is notoriously bad for the environment and it can cost you a lot of money. Tumble condenser dryers typically need more upkeep than their vented counterparts to ensure they run as efficiently as possible. To help keep your appliance healthy here are some tips which, if followed, should give your appliance a new lease of life.

Choosing a tumble condenser dryer machine

Look for a model which has a programme that automatically shuts off when your clothes are dry. These machines weigh the amount of clothes and typically have three setting; cupboard dry, iron dry and dry to wear. These programmes are fairly self explanatory as to why you would use them but here is how they work...

• Iron dry - Iron dry clothes are those you intend to iron at the end of the cycle. To help get rid of creases, which are embedded more deeply the more you dry fabric, the machine will retain some moisture in your clothes at the end of the cycle. When you iron the clothes this will finish the drying process and get rid of creases very easily. It also prevents you having to use a spray to wet the clothes again and steam out creases – which seems slightly pointless.
• Cupboard dry – this function is most useful for clothes you need to be bone dry, for example, those which will be packed away into drawers and storage.
• Dry the wear – this cycle includes a cool down at the end of the programme. If you have ever put on a pair of fresh-from-the-dryer jeans with metal buttons which are hotter than the sun, I’m sure you’ll understand the benefits to this setting.

Increasing the energy efficiency of your current model

The typical life expectancy of a tumble dryer is just three years so if your appliance is getting on a bit it may be worthwhile to invest in a newer machine. Not only will it give you better results but it is guaranteed to be more energy efficient. Tumble condenser dryer technology in particular has come on leaps and bounds in the last half decade alone.

If your machine is relatively new the best way to ensure energy efficiency is to regularly clean the appliance. It’s that simple. Tumble condenser dryers blocked with lint and fluff decreases the efficiency of air flow so your machine has to work harder to give you the same results – using more and more energy.

Follow these simple steps to clean your machine:

1. To clean the lint trap open the door of your dryer. The lint trap should be located just inside the dryer. Simply pull out the lint trap filter then use a long duster to clean out the cavity.
2. You should aim to remove the lint deposited inside the filter after every load. Then once a week, squirt on bit of washing up liquid, rub it into the filter, and rinse.
3. To empty to reservoir, simply pull out the drawer at the front, flip it upside down, and empty the water out of the chamber.

Tip: don’t waste the water - it’ll be clean but scented with your fabric softener giving you readymade ironing water!!