What Can You Use Tumble Dryer Water For?

Water collected in a tumble dryer is the byproduct of the drying process, where the moisture from clothes is condensed into water.

After a drying cycle, there’s usually a lot of water in the machine and it can seem quite wasteful to just dump the liquid down a drain.

So, instead of pouring away and wasting this water, can it be used for something, and if so, what? Find out below.

Before you reuse your appliance’s water, two small factors need to be covered. Can you and should you reuse the water from a tumble dryer?

Although it is possible to reuse the water collected inside a tumble dryer, you must check the water’s quality before using it. Some laundry detergents and fabric softeners may leave a chemical residue in the water, making it unsuitable for specific uses.

In addition, there could be lint in the liquid. Consequently, you won’t be able to use the water to clean certain surfaces because you don’t want tiny fibres coating the surface you’re attempting to clean or clogging up filters or pumps that you may be pumping the water through (more on this later).

Further to this, there are times when you definitely should not reuse the water from a tumble dryer.

This includes when you need to clean cutlery and any other type of equipment that needs to be safe and hygienic before you use them. Similarly, you shouldn’t use the water to feed humans, animals and plants as the chemicals could seriously harm them.

When in doubt, stick to fresh water and dispose of the dryer’s water properly.

If the water from your tumble dryer is relatively lint-free and you’ve not cleaned your laundry with heavy-duty chemicals that could cause harm to you or someone else, consider reusing the water in these ways:

 

1. Water the Plants

A really quick and effective way to reuse the water from your tumble dryer is to give it to your plants.

Doing this saves you some money on your water bill because there’s no need to switch the hosepipe on and douse the greenery. It’s also eco-friendly!

As noted above, ensure the water is free from heavy chemical detergents brought over from the washing process before trying this out. If you don’t make sure the water is safe, you could kill your plants.

If you’re concerned, contact a professional gardener for further advice. They will be able to tell you what plants you should not pour the water onto and what flora and fauna will take to it. 

 

2. Use the Water as Ironing Water or in Steam Mops

Interestingly, because the tumble dryer gathers the moisture from your clothes, evaporates it, and then condenses it, the water is relatively free from minerals.

It’s often considered a distant form of ‘distilled water’ and can, therefore, be used in irons and steam mops.

However, as above, make sure that there isn’t any lint in the liquid because you could damage your appliance if you clogged it up with lots of tiny fibres!

Note: Although the water is thought of as ‘distilled’, it cannot replace actual ‘distilled water’. Do not drink the water or use it to clean special equipment, for example.

 

3. Clean the Car with the Excess Water

If you don’t want to waste too much water when washing your car, use the water from the tumble dryer to rinse the soap off your vehicle.

 

4. Mop the Floor with the Dryer’s Water

As long as the water is clean and free from lint, you can use it to mop the floors around your home.

Of course, before you do this, you should read up on how the floors in your house should be cleaned. Not all floors can be soaked in water, for example! Don’t take the risk and ruin your floor.

 

5. Flush the Toilet with the Tumble Dryer’s Water

A simple way to reduce water usage is to flush your toilet using the water from the tumble dryer. Pour the water down the toilet instead of flushing it using the handle. This should start the flushing cycle. It’s as easy as that.

 

6. Use the Dryer’s Water in Outdoor Water Features

If you’ve got a few water features dotted around the garden, consider reusing the dryer’s water in them.

Just make sure that there isn’t any lint in the water that could damage or clog the pumps on the water features.

In addition, ensure the water is kept away from pets. You don’t want your dog drinking from the water fountain, especially if you’ve used chemical-heavy cleaners to clean your laundry.

 

7. Clean Gardening Tools with the Tumble Dryer’s Water

Got a load of mud on your gardening tools? Instead of using the water from a tap to clean the gear, wash it using the water from the tumble dryer. It’s a simple way to save money on your water bill. Plus, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment. 

Just remember to dry your tools when you’re done—you don’t want them to get rusty!

Note: You do not tip this water onto electrical tools! It should only be used on handheld tools, like trowels, forks or pruning shears.

 

8. Clean Windows and Glass Shower Doors with the Excess Water

As discussed earlier, the water found in a dryer is relatively mineral-free, so it can be used to wash mirrors and other glass surfaces. The liquid has the potential to reduce streaks and prevent a build-up of deposits on the surface, thus giving you a glowing finish. 

To try this, pour the water into a spray bottle, squirt the glass surface and wipe it down. You don’t need to soak the entire surface; a few sprays of water are more than enough.

Of course, you must first ensure that you don’t have an excess of lint in the water. Otherwise, you’ll end up with fibres all over the glass surface and won’t end up with the look you were going for.

Note: As mentioned above, you must ensure that the water from the tumble dryer is safe and relatively clean before using it. Failing to do so could cause serious harm to you or someone else. For this reason, you try the above at your own risk.