Figuring out what to do about the dryer

**Preston** · 09-29-2009, 06:29 PM

I'm kind of at a loss on this one and I'm trying to figure out what to do...

Our dryer broke about six weeks ago. Since then we have been hanging laundry out to dry. It is getting colder outside and rainy and windy and overall it just isn't working to get the clothes dry.

The dryer itself is about 12 years old. It came with the house. Not very energy efficent and not top of the line either.

I took it apart to try and fix it myself, absolutely filthy inside and there are parts that are actually pretty rusty.. so I'm thinking it wouldn't be worth it.

Technically I could call somebody who would know more about what they are doing than me, but even it is a minor repair it would be $100 or so to fix it. I could find a used dryer on craigslist for that, but would have to rent a truck from home depot to get it home... which would add to the expense.

My last option is to hold out a little longer (via going to the laundromat) and use the dryers there to get by in the meantime. Then wait for the 'dollars for dishwashers' program to take effect and couple this with the possible other tax incentives for upgrading appliances. This way I could get a new dryer that is more energy efficient (which is something I want to do anyway.)

I have enough in the EF to cover the new purchase and it would put a small setback in our debt snowball, but I am thinking it might just be our best bet to get the new one with the rebate program in place.

**JoJoBean8** · 09-29-2009, 06:51 PM

How about buying a dehumidifier and hanging the clothes in the basement or laundry room. Cheaper then buying one and it will hold you until you can afford to get a new dryer. Another thought is I know the government is doing a sort of cash for clunkers for appliances so you may be able to get an energy efficient one for not a whole lot of money.

**frugalwarrior** · 09-29-2009, 07:16 PM

Depends whats wrong w/ your dryer. Ours wouldn't heat for a full cycle. Thus it took 3 cycles for one load. Dh just vaccumned ours out and replaced the coils for $30. He knew nothing about dryers and researched the make and model on line. Ours was 10 years old and we didn't think it was economical to bring someone in to fix it. So I am very pleased he could do it himself.

**Preston** · 09-29-2009, 07:32 PM

It doesn't heat. The belt appears fine, however but my main concern was the rust that was present.

**craftypam** · 09-29-2009, 09:40 PM

What is the specifics as to what is wrong with your dryer. Mine is probably close to 30 years old and my dh has fixed it several times. If you let me know I can ask him tomorrow and maybe he can help. If your clothes are not drying; my brother had an issue with that and found out that the lint net was covered in residue from dryer sheets. He took soap and water and scrubbed it and put it back in and it was fine.

sorry didn't read your 2nd post.

**Greebo** · 09-29-2009, 10:08 PM

Gas or electric?

**Ceashels** · 09-29-2009, 10:09 PM

I have extra tension rods that I hang clothes on (over the tub) when needed. But I would also agree that if it can be fixed by you with some more knowledge it might be worth it in the long run.

**3tomboys** · 09-29-2009, 10:41 PM

We needed a dryer several years ago and I just starting putting the word out that I was looking. In the meantime I went to the laundromat with already washed clothes to dry them. We eventually bought a used dryer from a friend of a friend for $40. It lasted a couple of years and was cheaper then the heating element to fix the old dryer.

**Preston** · 09-29-2009, 11:01 PM

it is a gas dryer. very dirty inside. I will try vacuuming out the crap and putting it back together to see if that does anything later on tonight. If that does nothing then I will post here.

**HisDaisy** · 09-30-2009, 12:05 AM

You might want to try used appliance stores. My DH and I just purchased a washer, dryer, and refridgerator at one for $425. That included delivery and set-up. There dryers started at about $100. I think that our set was $225.

**Greebo** · 09-30-2009, 09:05 AM

And you say it's not heating up at all?

It's probably the electronic ignition. It's about a $30 part IIRC, and you ought to be able to change it yourself, no problem.

**Grainlady** · 09-30-2009, 06:17 PM

If you have to tap into your emergency fund for a dryer or to have the old one fixed, it's not what I would consider an emergency. That would be something I would save my $1 bills for (above and beyond my emergency fund). I'd suggest purchasing some plastic clothes line and/or drying racks and clothes pins, and air drying your clothes inside when you can't hang them outside.

It's amazing how my mother-in-law had 8 children and NEVER had a clothes dryer until we gave her one when she was quite elderly. And even then she still hung clothes outdoors as much as possible.

We almost always hang our clothes in the basement on lines (we also have outdoor lines). The aid of a dehumidifier (which we have to use 6-months out of the year anyway) and a ceiling fan are all we needed (any kind of fan would help dry clothing faster - even placing drying racks over your floor vents and keeping the furnace fan on CONSTANTLY will help dry clothes). I have a long clothes rod attached to one wall in the drying room, and all our clothing we normally hang on a hanger in the closet, we ALSO hang on a hanger to dry (wooden, not metal hangers - metal can rust). So they go right from the rod to the closet.

You can also string lines in your garage, and once again, add a fan if necessary. I had 3 lines that went between the cars, and I used them for many months. Then we moved things around in the basement and made the drying room.

**wjcalderon** · 10-01-2009, 09:18 AM

Until you are able to purchase a new (or used) dryer, you can hang your clothes, except maybe sheets, on drying racks.

Or put them on hangers and hang on the shower rod. Try putting a small oscillating fan in front of them - they will dry pretty quickly that way.

**frugal is fun** · 10-01-2009, 10:03 AM

I second and third the drying rack idea while trying to figure out whats best fixing vs. buying.

Also if you do end up buying new try to find a scratch and dent center. I just picked up a $1400 cooktop for $400. It had a pretty good dent smack dab in the middle but who cares!! Anyway, the scratch and dent center near me had rows and I mean rows of washers and dryers.

good luck!

**Mckeekitty** · 10-03-2009, 11:45 PM

Hi Preston,

This month marks our 9th year without a dryer!

We're in New England, and thus I do laundry according to the weather to dry on the lines. In the winter, we heat with wood and coal, and thus the racks are very efficient.

I hang shirts and slacks on hangers to dry, on the clothes line and around the cottage during the winter months. We considered purchasing an energy-efficient dryer a few years ago, but realized that NO dryer was the most efficient way to go.