How can dryer water be reused?

Saving water is doubly beneficial: It conserves valuable resources and reduces household costs. That’s why many people look for ways to reuse water. If you own a clothes dryer, you might wonder if the condensate from the collection tank can be reused effectively–or if it’s better off down the drain.

In condenser and heat pump dryers, moisture is extracted from clothing during drying and collected in a tank. This tank must be emptied regularly. But what happens to the collected water? myHOMEBOOK explains what the condensate is suitable for, when reuse is sensible, and when it’s better to avoid it.

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Effectively Reusing Dryer Water

The water from the clothes dryer contains little lime, making it seem ideal for household use. However, it’s important to remember that this water comes from washed laundry. Traces of detergent and fabric softener, textile fibers, or fragrances may also be present, as explained by “Stiftung Warentest,” a German consumer organization.

Soaking Clothes

Stubborn stains can be best removed from clothing by soaking them in a water bath before washing in the machine. Dryer water is suitable for this purpose. Any detergent residues are not a problem here. Their function is to clean laundry, and they will be washed out during the machine wash anyway.

Also interesting: Clothes stay damp in the dryer? Overview of causes

Cleaning Water

Another option is to use the water for cleaning the home. Specifically, you can benefit from the nearly lime-free water when cleaning windows. Less lime means fewer lime marks and streaks on the glass.

You can also use the water for mopping. Add the desired cleaning agent to the dryer water and clean tiles and laminate as usual.

What Not to Use Dryer Water For

The use of dryer water also has its limits. When in doubt, it’s better to pour it down the drain than to risk causing damage in the household.

Irons

Lime-free water is ideal for ironing. However, it would be misleading to use the condensate from the clothes dryer for the iron. Due to possible residues, such as surfactants and fine lint, iron manufacturers advise against it. The fine nozzles of the devices could become clogged. The heating elements could also suffer, significantly reducing ironing performance. Use dryer water for steam ironing only if the manual allows it.

Watering Plants

Excess water is often quickly poured into the nearest flowerpot. If it’s the condensate from a clothes dryer, it’s best to avoid this. The reason: The water can harm the plants. This is also due to possible lint and detergent residues.

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