Did someone say drought? Because two weeks of straight rain makes the best of us wonder if we are ever going to see the sun again. After prolonged period of rain everything feels "soggy", especially your clothes and towels. If you do not have access to a clothes dryer then it is probably time to think about buying your very own.
Besides, who can stand not having clean underwear and socks just because mother nature has decided to water the gardens a bit? There are a few things to consider when purchasing a clothes dryer .
1. Budget
Can you afford a clothes dryer? Sounds like an obvious question, but can you? Most dryers retail from about 0 to 00 dollars for domestic versions, and much much more for commercial types.
If you don't have a lot of spare cash lying around, perhaps wait until you have saved enough to buy yourself a dryer. Make it a treat for yourself, because everyone deserves to have fresh clean clothes and towels, regardless of what the weather outside is doing.
2. Electricity
There is only one downfall when you own a clothes dryer. What could be a downfall? You are wondering, as you sift through your pile of soggy rainy day washing. The cost of running the thing of course! Clothes dryers are renowned energy sappers.
If you are already having trouble paying your electricity bill, or thinking of turning into a Greenie, then perhaps a clothes dryer is not for you, consider this first, as they do tend to sap a fair bit of the old fossil fuels to get your clothes and towels dry.
3. Energy rating
Considering the above, you can always opt to choose a clothes dryer with a great energy rating. Energy ratings in Australia are measured by a Star reward system.
Quite simply, the more Stars on the sticker on the front of your dryer, the more energy efficient the clothes dryer will be. Check with your sales assistant if you need more information on energy ratings.
4. Durable clothes
Do me a favour. Go to your laundry basket and check the tags of a few of your favourite clothes. How many, out of say, 10 items, says "Do not tumble dry" on the tag? If you are tipping more than 5, then think twice about buying a dryer.
Durable, cotton-based clothing is much better in dryers than things made our of polyester based materials. Check the tag on everything before throwing it in the clothes dryer.
5. Size
So you are set on buying a dryer, great. So how big does it need to be? A general rule is buying the same size kilogram load as your washing machine is.
So if you only have a 4kg washing machine, and this seems to service you okay, choose a 4kg dryer. So on and so forth depending on your individual needs and wants.
6. Warranty
Like any electrical product, you would expect a warranty if you are buying a new clothes dryer. Check with the sales assistant about the costs of extending the warranty when you make your purchase.
7. Lint catcher
If you are interested in saving your life, and your house from burning down, read on. The lint catcher is the easy-to-spot netted part inside the door of your dryer which catches all of the loose thread and lint that come off your clothes during the clothes drying process.
Regret to empty this and your dryer will eventually become a serious fire hazard. Empty this catcher EVERY time before and after you use the dryer. Do not forget this...EVER.
8. Settings
Do you want your clothes or towels piping hot or just lightly dried? Read your clothes dryer manual and choose the right settings for you.
Choose an automatic switch off, which ensures the dryer turns itself off when the clothes are done. This is great for fire safety.
9. Babysit
Never ever leave the house without turning off your clothes dryer. The clothes dryer is one of the single largest fire hazards in the home (See Point 7 specifically).
Always wait for your clothes dryer to finish before you leave the house, or turn it off mid-load if you have to go out. Just make sure you don't leave it on unattended.
10. Laugh
At mother nature when she hits you with 7 straight days of rain, and enjoy your crisp, clean, dry clothing and towels thanks to your clothes dryer.
