Short Description

Clothes dryers are a quick and convenient way of drying clothes,
especially where hanging washing out to dry is not practical or when a
person has difficulty reaching a clothes line or using pegs. Dryers can be freestanding on the floor or installed under or on a bench top, wall mounted or stacked on a front loading washing machine. Manual and electronic auto sensing dryers are available, using either vented or condenser drying. Dryers use a high level of electricity.

More Details

Two methods of drying are available. In both methods incoming air is heated and blown through the wet washing to remove moisture. The two systems differ in the way moisture is removed from the machine.
- Condenser units separate the water from the moist air and expel hot air into the room. These units do not require ducting, but are either connected to the drain for the water to drain directly away or use a collection container for water; which must be emptied.
- Vented units expel the warm moist air, either into the room or through a duct to the outside. These units are generally less complicated and cost less than condenser units.
General points to consider:
*Location and space available, especially in relation to the washing machine, from which wet washing must be transferred.
*Allowance should be made for the door to be opened. Dryers are front loading, with a hinged side opening door.
*If wall mounted the unit should be within easy reach, some models are designed to be hung upside down, so that the controls are at the bottom for easier reach.
*Capacity required is measured in kilograms of dry washing.
*Access and the ease of loading and unloading the dryer is determined by the positioning of the unit and also the size of the opening. This is not necessarily the full size of the door, as viewed when the door is closed.
*Doors can be right or left hinged on some models. They are often left hinged only.
*Some models do have visibility through the door, which can be
helpful.
*Door catches vary in the amount of effort required to pull them
open and push them shut.
*Controls should be clearly visible and able to be reached and adjusted.
Located on the top at either the front or rear panel and at the bottom of some wall hung units.
Dials, push pads and buttons are available.
*Programmes/cycles required.
*Manual models have a number of cycles ranging from high to low
temperature settings, in conjunction with a time control, both controls are set by the user.
*Auto-sensing dryers require the user to determine the degree of dryness required (for ironing, fully dry etc.) And the unit uses an electronic moisture sensor to determine the moisture in the clothes and through a microprocessor determines the end of the drying process and often automatically moves on to a cool down cycle.
*Cleaning a dryer involves reaching and clearing the lint filter. Some units have the lint filter on the door which may be easier to reach.
*Ventilation requirements for vented units.
*Efficiency of drying, especially in terms of the time required to dry a load of washing.
*Noise levels do vary.
*Cost to purchase, install and run.
*Warranty length and conditions.
Available features:
*Stainless steel drum
*Auto start and auto stop on closing and opening the door
*Cooling cycle at the end of drying
*Interior light
*Thermal overload cutout on motor and heater
*Optional castor wheel kit
*Optional drying rack
*Optional stacking kit, to sit over a washing machine
*Reverse tumbler action after a set period
*Auditory buzzer when cycle finished
*Anticrease cycle, denim cycle
*Light indicator when condenser unit needs emptying
*Light indicator when filter needs clearing
*Electronic safety device, so programme can't be altered during cycle
*Programme indicator lights
*Combined washer/dryer single front loading units are available.

For further information check the Choice magazine, the Yellow Pages of the telephone book or talk to a retailer.
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These are general suggestions - if you experience considerable
difficulty in performing activities of daily living, consult an occupational therapist at a community health centre or aged care assessment team, or make an appointment with the ILC.