Tumble dryer security – Which?

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When used accurately, a tumble dryer is a secure equipment to have in your house. However because it produces lots of warmth to get your garments dry, there are steps you may take to be sure to’re drying as safely as doable. 

This information explains the way to use a tumble dryer safely and the dangers you must find out about. 

Plus, discover out details about the numerous tumble dryer product security recollects of current years, together with the Whirlpool recall of 5.2 million fire-risk tumble dryers, in case you are trying to purchase a second-hand tumble dryer and also you wish to be sure that it is secure.


Check out the greatest tumble dryers that impressed in our robust lab assessments.


The way to use a tumble dryer safely

Observe our six-point plan to be sure to’re drying garments in your tumble dryer as safely as you may. 

A few of these steps may even assist your tumble dryer to dry as effectively as doable, which is able to prevent money and time.

1. By no means overfill a tumble dryer

Tumble dryers want air to flow into across the drum to securely and successfully dry garments. If the drum is just too full, drying garments will take longer, the standard of drying shall be decreased and warmth might construct up within the drum.

Each tumble dryer can have a set capability for cottons and one other smaller capability for synthetics, the synthetics capability is often half that of cottons.

So, when drying garments at all times be sure that your dryer isn’t too full. For those who’re drying a full load of cottons, the drum will really feel fullish however there ought to nonetheless be loads of house on the high for air to flow into.

When drying synthetics to the capability of the machine for that type of load, the drum will really feel very roomy and that’s utterly high-quality for this sort of load.

However in case you really feel like you might be jamming the drum full, you positively have too many garments in your dryer.

2. Keep away from stopping your tumble dryer mid-cycle

Garments can get extremely popular inside a tumble dryer and that is regular. The warmth is required to dry the garments and on the finish of the drying cycle, cool air is blown via the load to convey every part contained in the machine all the way down to a secure temperature.

For those who cease the dryer mid-cycle you’ll discover that metallic gadgets, resembling buttons on denims or zips on jackets shall be extremely popular and so they might trigger burns whenever you contact them.

So at all times let the drying program run to the top and if it’s a must to cease it earlier than then, depart the garments within the drum till they’re cool and set the dial to the off place.

3. Clear your tumble dryer’s lint filter after each use

Cleansing your tumble dryer’s lint filter will prevent cash because it permits scorching air to flow into freely so the dryer doesn’t should work as exhausting.

It might additionally save your life, as lint can very sometimes get caught on the dryer’s factor and catch gentle.

So wipe the lint filter, which you’ll discover in and across the door and rim, after each use. Most tumble dryers we’ve reviewed have a useful gentle that comes on to remind you, however don’t await that. To your dryer to be working at optimum effectivity, the lint filter needs to be cleaned on the finish of every drying program.

Merely pull it out, wipe off the fluff and slide it again into place. If the filter is a ache to take away or the dryer is usually exhausting to make use of, we’ll point out this in our tumble dyrer opinions.

4. By no means depart your tumble dryer operating whenever you’re out or asleep

The chance of fireplace is fortunately small, however it is best to hold security in thoughts whenever you use your dryer. So, solely use your dryer whenever you’re at house and awake and in case you use your dryer’s delay timer, once more be sure that to solely set it for whenever you’ll be at house and awake.

For those who odor burning or see smoke coming out of your dryer cease utilizing it instantly and unplug it from the mains.

5. By no means dry something with oil on it in a tumble dryer

Extraordinarily flammable oil stains are actually dangerous information to your tumble dryer. The warmth contained in the dryer could cause it to combust, and your laundry can catch gentle, sparking a fireplace contained in the drum.

For those who use cloths to wipe up spills in your kitchen or by chance splash your garments with cooking oil, be sure that to scrub them on a excessive warmth cycle to eliminate any residue earlier than giving them a spin in your tumble dryer.

6. Clear your dryer’s warmth exchanger frequently

The warmth exchanger is a calming metallic field contained in the machine that heat damp air passes via. When the air hits the chilly metallic, water condenses from it and is captured in a tank, with the air flowing out of the machine.

Because the air passes via the warmth exchanger, hair and fluff is captured by a grill and this must be cleaned to maintain your dryer working successfully. 

That is one other measure you may take to make it possible for air circulation via your machine is optimised and it will assist your machine to dry effectively and safely.


Want extra tumble dryer inside information? Head over to our tumble dryer suggestions and upkeep information.


What are my rights if my tumble dryer has a difficulty?

danger sticker on tumble dryer

For those who’ve purchased a tumble dryer and the producer points a recall discover attributable to a security concern, the producer ought to both supply to restore or substitute the defective product freed from cost. 

Registering your product after you purchase it’s essential, because it implies that the producer can simply get in contact with it is best to they should. 

In case your tumble dryer is being recalled or if there is a security discover issued towards it, to be on the secure aspect we might unplug it instantly and never use it till it has been fastened.

It is best to declare for any out-of-pocket bills you’ve had because of not having the ability to use your machine from the retailer that bought it to you – so long as these bills are affordable and foreseeable and you have stored a report of them. For instance, any launderette prices you’ve paid whereas ready for a repair are foreseeable and you can also make a declare.

For those who’ve purchased the tumble dryer second hand, you will want to talk on to the producer.

Discover out extra about your rights if there is a security warning or product recall.

Tumble dryer security recollects

A handful of tumble dryer manufacturers have issued recollects for his or her machines in recent times. 

Right here’s a rundown of the recollects we find out about, what the tumble dryer security issues are and what house owners of affected dryers have to do.

Whirlpool-owned manufacturers of tumble dryer security recollects

Whirlpool introduced in 2015 that it had a security drawback with Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline tumble dryers made between April 2004 and September 2015.

Fluff was discovered to collect on the heating factor and this prompted 750 fires.

In all 5.2 million tumble dryers had been affected by the fireplace drawback. 

If a dryer has a inexperienced dot sticker on the door rim, the door or on the again, it has already been manufacturing unit modified and Whirlpool says it will likely be secure to make use of.

Add your mannequin into the search bar under to test in case your tumble dryer is affected.

In case your tumble dryer is on the checklist and was purchased between April 2004 and September 2015 you have to to cease utilizing it and get in touch with Whirlpool, which owns all of the affected manufacturers, to register with it.

Upon getting carried out that, it is possible for you to to select from these choices:

  • A free alternative tumble dryer
  • An improve to a higher-specification mannequin costing from £59
  • A free in-home modification along with a £50 voucher
  • A refund, which shall be depending on the age of your tumble dryer

Register your machine on the Hotpoint web site or by calling 0800 151 0905.

Logik tumble dryers security recall

In 2017 Currys introduced a recall of the Logik LVD7W15 tumble dryers manufactured between March and April 2016. 

Currys advised us that the heating factor in a small variety of machines may pose a security hazard, resulting in overheating and hearth.

For those who personal certainly one of these Logik dryers, cease utilizing it now and get in touch with Currys on 0344 561 6202. You’ll be requested for the serial variety of your machine and your postcode on the time of buy.

The serial quantity is on the within of the door and on the ranking label on the again of the machine.

Beko and Blomberg tumble dryers security recall.

Beko and Blomberg tumble dryers security recall

Beko and Blomberg 6kg, 7kg, 8kg and 9kg condenser tumble dryers manufactured between Could and November 2012 might pose a security threat and have been recalled by the producer.

Beko says it was made conscious of a small variety of incidents involving the dryers the place {an electrical} part failed and overheated, which led to the chance of fireplace. 

These are the affected 6kg and 7kg capability tumble dryers:

  • Beko DCU6130W    
  • Beko DCU6130S
  • Beko DCU6130B
  • Beko DSC64W
  • Beko DSC64S
  • Beko DC7110W
  • Beko DC7041W
  • Beko DCU7230W
  • Beko DCU7230S
  • Beko DCU7230B

Discover out in case your 6kg and 7kg Beko dryer poses a security threat or name Beko on 0800 917 2018.

These are the affected 8kg and 9kg capability Beko and Blomberg tumble dryers:

  • Beko DCU9330W
  • Beko DCU9330R
  • Beko DCU8230
  • Beko DSC85W
  • Blomberg TKF8439A

See in case your 6kg and 7kg Beko dryer poses a security threat

Test to see in case your Blomberg TKF8439A is affected by this recall.

You may also name 0800 917 2018 to search out out if any of the above tumble dryers have been recalled. 

White Knight dryers security recall

Round 1,800 White Knight condenser tumble dryers manufactured between October 2010 and June 2011 and with the next mannequin numbers might overheat and catch hearth.

These are the affected White Knight fashions:

0312 76A 15010 (77AW)

0312 76A 15002 (77AW)

0312 767 15009 (767C)

0312 76A 15330 (77AS)

0312 76A 31000 (CL76AWH)

For those who personal certainly one of these machines, contact White Knight on 0800 988 1323.


Discover one of the best dryer for you with our tumble dryer opinions and in case you’re out there for a brand new dryer discover out which tumble dryer model to purchase.


How we check tumble dryers

We have reviewed the newest tumble dryers from all of the main manufacturers, together with AEG, Beko, Bosch, Hotpoint, Indesit, Miele, White Knight and Zanussi. 

Each single tumble dryer we evaluate goes via the identical set of assessments, together with drying high quality, velocity, noise and power use – so you may evaluate our opinions with confidence.

Every tumble dryer will get a Which? evaluate rating so you may instantly see, at a look, that are one of the best and the worst. And you’ll evaluate fashions on their totally different options and specs. 

Our assessments cowl all value ranges and types of tumble dryer and embrace all the newest vented, condenser and warmth pump tumble dryers, each built-in and freestanding.

If we discover {that a} tumble dryer is dangerous sufficient to be a Don’t Purchase, you may make certain that it’s one to keep away from. Regardless of how engaging the worth could also be, it received’t do a very good job in your house and is greatest left within the store.

Discover out extra in How we check tumble dryers

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