About Clothes Dryers

Clothes dryers are household appliances that work hand in hand with washing machines. The job of a dryer is to remove the moisture from wet clothes after they have been washed. A recent study found that more than 75 percent of homes in the United States have a clothes dryer, while that number jumps to over 92 percent in homes that are less than 10 years old.

History

In 1799, a hand-cranked version of the clothes dryer was invented. However, this tedious and difficult method didn't become popular. George T. Sampson patented the use of laundry rack combined with a heat source. While this was thought of as a step in the right direction, it proved to be too dangerous for home use. During this time in history, most people dried their clothes by pinning them to a clothesline placed outside in the sun.

Function

Once electricity could be harnessed as a source of power for household items, the electric clothes dryer was one of the first home appliances to become popular. Electric tumble dryers began appearing in the 20th century. However, these early dryers took a long time to dry the clothes because of inefficient heating mechanisms. As the technology in the inner electrical workings improved, the efficiency and speed progressed to their modern-day performance level.

Types

Traditional clothes dryers draw in surrounding air, heat it and then use that hot air to evaporate the water on the wet clothes. Once the process is complete, the dryer expels the hot, humid air. Spin dryers are designed to spin faster than traditional ones to extract more water from the clothes by using gravity instead of an abundance of heat. The condensation dryer, reuses the air that is expelled, which results in less energy being used. Popular brands include General Electric, Kenmore, Haier, Whirlpool and Maytag.

Features

Clothes dryers are almost always used in conjunction with washing machines. Wet clothes are placed into the dryer and then settings are designated according to the type and amount of clothes. These settings regulate aspects such as the temperature, length of the cycle and the speed of the rotation. Most dryers also have lint traps that collect the lint to separate it from the clothes.

Significance

Compared to line drying, which can take a long time and be hindered by bad weather, clothes dryers are quick and safe. Modern versions take an average of 45 minutes to complete a cycle. The combination of the washer and dryer has made it easier for people to clean their clothes on a regular basis, which has improved hygiene around the world.

Resources

• Read reviews of clothes dryers from Consumer Search.
• Get buying advice about dryers from Consumer Reports.