Consider the dryer

My home is covered with drying articles of clothing. Sheets are across the dining chairs, kitchen cloths and towels are hung on the shower rods. Sweat pants on the edge of a table. The dryer has gradually been cooperating less and less. Might be stuffed up lint in the hose venting through the attic...how to dig it out? This weekend it completely quit. Am going to remove the vent from the back of the dryer and run it pulled away from the wall...if it will. If it runs and heats, then this is the problem. If not, then could be a thermostat/timer problem. In any event the thing has not been running efficiently. It will be interesting to see how much our electric bill might be affected, if we continue with using our furniture for drying racks. Imagine the dollars we would save if we air dried our socks, underwear, kitchen rags, sheets, blankets...yes, they will not be as soft and wrinkle free, but the dollars could go to the Roth instead.


Now a dryer can affect the overall appearance and life span of your clothes. Most importantly a dryer can determine how much you invest in your wardrobe.

Consider gas, if possible. Gas dryers cost more than electric, but they are usually cheaper to operate.

Look for a model with a moisture sensor...not one that measures the air, but one built into the drum itself, touching the clothing and sensing moisture directly. Prevents over-drying and extends the life of our garments. Makes ironing easier and saves energy.

Choose a quiet machine, because my utility room is near the living area.

Get an adjustable end-of-cycle signal volume...can be adjusted for volume, or turned off

Top mounted lint filters are easier to reach and clean.

IntelliDry - if I get a Maytag make sure that it has this. Electronically senses the moisture in the laundry and shuts off when the selected dryness level is reached.

Venting: must go out the back

Durawhite interior: found on Whirlpool dryers. The durable drum finish is smooth against your clothes and resists scratching and chipping.

Wide opening hamper door: allows easy access and drop down and lie flat for a handy surface.

Wrinkle release: found on Maytag dryers. Allows clothes to tumble in a stream of heated air for the last 15 minutes of the time dry cycle to help remove wrinkles from clothes.

Ultimate care: Whirlpool Ultimate care dryers include features designed to extend the life of fabrics. Clothing has more room to tumble and spread out inside the 7.0 cubic foot dryer drum. Also has the electronic Dry-Miser which ends the cycle when the selected level of dryness is reached.

Note: a specialist at Loewes advised me that washers and dryers today are only made to last approx 7 years!

A larger drum can more easily handle bulky items, such as my queen size comforter. Look for a stainless steel drum.


For washers, look for the Energy Star label. These are the most energy efficient in any product category, exceeding the energy efficiency minimums set by the federal government. Sometimes state governments and utilities offer rebates on Energy Star rated models. Check http://www.energystar.gov/ for details.