How to Buy a Clothes Dryer

Clothes dryers have come a long way since the days of those noisy square white boxes that shrunk your shirts. Today you can find clothes dryers that will dry at the temperature and speed you choose. These tips will help you pick out the clothes dryer that’s right for you and your home.

Tips on buying a clothes dryer

1. First, figure out how much drying capacity you need. Do you usually dry large loads of clothes, or is your washing limited to several small loads? The more clothes you dry at once the bigger and more powerful clothes dryer you will need. Knowing the capacity of clothes dryer you require will effect whether you buy a larger or smaller one. You may even decide to buy a space saving clothes dryer that stacks onto a washing machine.

2. You also need to know how much room you have in your home for a clothes dryer. You need to measure the dimensions of the space the clothes dryer will occupy. Keep in mind that you may be buying a new washing machine at the same time, so measure the depth, width and height of the entire laundry space. The space available, like your load capacity, will help determine whether you buy a compact or a full-size clothes dryer.

3. The most versatile clothes dryers have several temperature settings. These settings range from low heat to high heat, so that you can choose the appropriate temperature for the material you are drying. Wool and cotton, of course, often require lower heat settings to keep from shrinking. Some dryers even include “no heat” settings, which simply means the drying is done with air that has not been heated. This type of setting if good for delicate fabrics.

4. If possible, chose a gas clothes dryer over an electric one. Gas dryers may cost a little more up front, but you will save that money and more in energy costs. Check to see if a gas hookup is within convenient reach of where the clothes dryer will be situated.

5. Your budget, of course, is always important. Decide on the general size and features you want, then compare brands and retailers for the best deal.

Caution

Make sure you investigate the noise rating of a clothes dryer before you buy it. This is especially important for dryers that will be in smaller living spaces. If you wash and dry clothes during quiet times or while you are sleeping, you want the quietest machine you can find.

Where to buy a clothes dryer

These retailers can help pick out the best clothes dryer for your lifestyle and your home–

Appliances Direct sells clothes dryers from every major manufacturer. Pick out the size and heating source that best suits you. Also find clothes drying centers that include cabinets for drying extra delicate fabrics, such as fine wools.

Best Buy offers European and U.S. dryers. Browse a selection of clothes dryers that run on gas or electricity.

General Electric makes compact, portable and full-size dyers. You can also find both electric and gas models.