Many people depend on tumble dryers for drying their clothes and towels at home, often seen as the go-to option when time is short. However, it might be more expensive than anticipated.
In recent months, TikTok has been awash with money-saving hacks, and one user has highlighted the actual cost of using a tumble dryer. Shannen, known as _greengal on TikTok, found that it cost her €2.35 to completely dry a “full load” of towels, which is approximately £1.98.
The process took around an hour and 45 minutes. From her experiment, she deduced that hanging them out to dry is “way more efficient” although she recognised that sometimes this isn’t possible due to various factors like the weather, but it can be a way to cut costs.
Her video, which has now amassed over 16,000 views, left many viewers astonished at the expense involved in operating such a standard household device. It’s easy to overlook how small mistakes can lead to higher bills.
Following the video’s release, comments poured in with additional tips. One viewer recommended: “Throw in a dry towel with the wet ones, they will dry quicker.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Another suggested: “Double spin before you put them in the dryer.”
A third chimed in: “Wouldn’t be without my dryer. Helps me run my house more efficiently. I’ll take the financial hit for that.”
It turns out that a number of people may be inadvertently increasing their energy bills due to simple errors when using tumble dryers. Money-saving guru Martin Lewis previously highlighted this issue during an interview with BBC News, where he outlined alternative drying methods that are more economical.
He advised: “Do you know what the real demon appliance is in most people’s houses? The one that you don’t want to use because it’s really expensive – tumble dryers.”
Adding further, he said, “I mean, you’re typically paying up to a quid per load, so dry your clothes on an airer outside to shorten the amount of time you’re using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. Those who have dehumidifiers – that can take some of the moisture out.”
Concluding his point, he noted, “It’s less wattage than the tumble dryer, so it can be more effective.”
This advice serves as a crucial reminder of how the way clothes are dried plays a significant part in keeping household costs down.