Running your tumble dryer at night or while you're away might seem like a clever way to save time during the day, but experts warn that it could actually pose a serious safety risk to your home.
As someone who has been doing this for years, I was horrified to discover the dangers I had been exposing my house to (not to mention my cats inside!), and it's safe to say that I will never do it again.
Tumble dryer running costs may be cheaper overnight on certain energy tariffs, but the advice below shows it’s just not worth the risk.
Article continues belowIs it safe to run a tumble dryer at night?
No, it is not considered safe to run a tumble dryer at night (or whenever you're not in the house, for that matter!)
According to Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, you should only use this appliance when you're nearby to monitor it, since "most fires start and take hold when a fault goes unnoticed."
While many modern tumble dryers feature automatic shut-off and temperature control devices to minimise the risk, Sunaree Ko, an electrical and fire safety expert at Fire Marshal Training, says there is always a risk of a fire breaking out, so it's still not advisable to run them at night.
Ian Palmer-Smith is a supplier and heating service director at Domestic & General and a domestic appliance service and repair expert with over 35 years of professional experience.
Before founding Fire Marshal Training in 2024, Sunaree worked as a Fire Safety Trainer and a Fire Risk Assessment Assistant.
How do I avoid tumble dryer fires?
According to the government's fire statistics, 884 fires were caused by tumble dryers between 2021 and 2022, highlighting the importance of following the correct guidelines when using one.
Here are some ways you can reduce your risk when using a tumble dryer, according to Ian Palmer-Smith and Sunaree Ko:
1. Correct maintenance: It might be tempting to ignore your overpiled filter (I'm very guilty of this one!), but you should remove lint before every single use. Lint is highly flammable and, in some cases, can cause the appliance to overheat or catch fire if it reaches the dryer's heating element.
2. Proper usage: You should also avoid overloading your tumble dryer with too many clothes or putting items in it that cannot be tumble dried.
3. Make sure someone is in the house: Never use your tumble dryer if nobody is in the house to keep an eye on it.
4. Check the vent hose: Ian also advises checking for lint build-up in the vent hose and removing it by following the steps below:
- Move your tumble dryer away from the wall
- Check your tumble dryer is switched off before disconnecting the hose
- Have a look inside it and remove any blockages
- Ensure there are no kinks or bends in the hose (this makes it harder for air to leave your machine)
- Reattach the hose
- Move the appliance back (be careful not to crush the hose against the wall)
Note: This doesn't apply to condenser dryers.
Compatible with all vacuum cleaners, this kit makes it easy to remove debris and lint from your tumble dryer.
While using a tumble dryer does come with some risks, I certainly won't be giving up my favourite appliance altogether – I'll just make sure to give it the maintenance it needs and run it during the day instead.
If you found this helpful, you may also want to learn about the best ways to dry laundry indoors and what a heat pump tumble dryer is.
