Laundry/clothes Drying Options Help Needed Please

[black_cat51]

Hi, currently we have a large family (including baby and animals) in a smallish space. As such, we have had a washer/dryer for the last few years (w/machine used approx 3x week dryer approx 1-2 times a fortnight)
because of the fur that gets on everything, the washer dryer is moderately frequently breaking down. Ususally when we get it repaired, the man sniggers as he leaves and says "see you again soon!" neither me, my husband, baby, cats or dogs are in the least technically minded, so although all he seems to do is unblock some bits of the machine with accumulated gunk/fur, that's not a job any of us feel we could take on ourselves. the dryer bit has now broken again and this weather, combined with the fact we work full time (so no-one at home to take washing in if it rains) has meant it's a bit of a nightmare washing and drying clothes. Also, when the dryer bit is blocked/not working the washing machine bit smells and makes the clothes smell
i have reached a point where i feel it's just too much money to keep having it repaired and need a new plan. Help!

[B00]

Yeah, it does Rocky, i keep window open when it's on.

[rockyracoon]

Ta :)

[B00]

Don't get me wrong, it's no tumble dryer- but as a stand alone, put anywhere clothes dryer it DOES take some beating. It also folds flat and can be stored away in its bag when not in use.

(PS- I really don't work for the company!)

[ummmm]

I have underfloor heating and that's great for drying clothes on an airer.

[berniecuddles]

we bought a de-humidifier just before xmas for the conservatory to sort the condensation out,now mrs c puts her washing in there and the humidifier dries the clothes out by the next morning

[EcclesCake]

I bung stuff in the conservatory or spare room to dry when it's wet. Despite having solar electricity I still can't bring myself to use the tumble dryer!

Boo's gadget looks brilliant though! I had no idea such a thing existed and I have made a note to mention it to a friend who has just moved to a flat and is fretting about drying his washing.

[black_cat51]

hmm, i might have to try B00's thing too!

[nungate]

I've had washer dryers ever since I got married, now on my fourth. We also have five cats so what I do is "de cat" the laundry before it goes in the wash. I use lint rollers to get as much of fluff and pet hair off the things to be washed.
It helps, I quite often put some white vinegar in the final rinse (doesn't scent the laundry) which also helps. Another thing to try is do a cleaning cycle, once a month run your washer with no laundry and put some washing soda crystals in the powder drawer and some vinegar in the rinse drawer, alternatively you could try one of the washer cleaners/sanitisers in the washer instead. An engineer who came to declare my last washer dryer was dead, told me that the soda crystals were probably better than a proprietary brand of washer cleaner.
That's all I can come up with, though I think it also depends on the brand of washer dryer you buy, I had an Electrolux which was awful, two Bosch, one of which I had for over ten years and no problems, second Bosch lasted four years
Just bought a Candy, so far so good.