Remember hearing/reading of the washday of yore? Some of
it applies to today, as well. Put thought into your washing
and drying; be around to monitor the machine, to remove and
fold etc., to quick-iron shirts immediately and so on, as
suggested, for best results.
When I first received my dryer as a gift 18 years ago as
`first aid' for a family blessed with many children all
close in age, it was on condition that I wouldn't worry
about the electric bill, only about the adorable children,
and that I would stop being hung up on the clothesline.
By the way, it's been my experience that whenever the
machine is on strike, the savings in the electric bill is
not that impressive: the use of the dryer is not costly.
If you want to get the most efficient use out of your
machine, waste no time -- put up a load now before you read
this article. Afterwards read on and I hope you'll find
these tips helpful!
1. A dryer, like a washing machine, is certainly not a
workhorse! If you stuff in more than the recommended load,
the machine won't protest, but within a short amount of time
you'll see negative results in the wear and tear of the
clothing. Besides, the clothes will NOT dry as quickly as
with smaller loads. 2. Don't use it non-stop - - remember
to let your machine rest occasionally.
3. Sheets, pillow cases and blanket covers get entangled
during the drying process and put stress on the motor. Put
in load according to items and not according to weight, for
instance -- 2 blanket covers and 2 sheets. Total drying time
won't be much more. Perhaps even less.
Sorting: first rule for correct drying to avoid wrinkling is
to try to put in clothing whose drying time is more or less
the same. For instance -- underwear and cotton shirts are
not a good combination: the shirts will dry much before the
underwear, and as they stay together while the dryer is
working, the shirts will get wrinkled.
Soft drying: in order to keep clothes looking and feeling
new and soft, I used special drying sheets for the machine.
(I bought a pack in Shaarei Ezra in Jerusalem at 7.90
shekels for 35 sheets. Since each one can be used twice, the
cost amounts to 10 agorot per load!) These sheets
also eliminate the need for laundry softener and prevent
static electricity.
Delicate items: my technician suggests that you consider the
volume necessary for the machine, so that items can glide
around in the machine. Also very important: take the laundry
out immediately after the machine stops and hang/fold right
away. This will save you ironing. If you still care to iron
for that consummate look, use the short cycle so that the
shirts stay damp and then with a quick short ironing the
shirts will look perfect!
Sweaters and pants: these need a lot of room to `breathe'
during drying time. (By the way -- using the fast spin for
delicate laundry will shorten drying time).
The solution for shrinking tights: buy 2 sizes larger than
necessary. And don't forget -- don't neglect the laundry --
as soon as you hear the beep, open the machine and spread
out/fold or hang up the items.
Unusually delicate clothing: pamper each item and let it be
an `only child' in your machine. Caution: after washing by
hand, don't put into the dryer while still dripping. First
use gentlest no-spin cycle of washing machine to squeeze out
excess water, then put into dryer for a short while with
drying sheet.
Men's pants: fold according to fold marks, and the machine
will do the ironing. Ironing: I iron clothes through the
machine. For instance, items which became wrinkled because
they were not hung properly in the closet, whether these are
suits, skirts etc. -- can be ironed in several minutes: try
putting into the dryer with a wet dish towel wrung out well
by hand, and you will be pleased with the results!
Children's coats and velvet clothing will come out like new
after drying in the dryer. By the way, you can also use the
dryer when the children come home with wet coats from the
rain. In 10 minutes they'll be able to wear them again. You
can even put in wet shoes -- if you can put up with the
noise. The results are great!
Even terelyne tablecloths etc. can be put it on the S
program -- heating on lower temperatures does not wrinkle
the cloths if they're dried one at a time.
Towels: the sun hardens them as they are drying, so I
usually dry them in the machine. Mine look almost as new as
when I bought them soft and fluffy. (Note instructions on
some towels which suggest that they not be used with drying
sheets, so use softener instead).
Pleated skirts: don't use dryer! It ruins the pleats! [Ed.
Try folding skirt straight, rolling over across the waist
and slipping into a stocking leg. Check progress after a few
moments so as not to ruin. Remember on which skirts it
worked for next time.]
Feather items: quilts, pillows, down coats etc. can be
washed in your machine and dried in the dryer. Put in a
rubber slipper or clean sneaker to beat back into shape.
Drying time depends on the spin action of your washing
machine.
Note: after the drying action is finished, in the last 5
minutes the machine cools and airs the laundry. Don't hurry
to take out laundry before this stage -- it will wrinkle!
In conclusion: concerning wear and tear on machine-dried
laundry which many homemakers complain about -- while you're
folding see how much wear there is on laundry which has been
hung on the line. If you wear a dark sweater after it's been
folded, it will show right away!
And by the way, who says that wear and tear on laundry is
less expensive than erosion of our time and strength!? Let
us know how you use the extra time available while the dryer
is working.
Wishing you practical and enjoyable use of your dryer.
I.M.A
Extra note: Considering buying a dryer? Get a quality brand:
1) drying time is less 2) laundry stays fresher and newer!
3) you save on closet space 4) quick preparation for your
children/Yeshiva boys.
