Although it consumes a lot of energy, the dryer is a household appliance that makes our daily lives easier. It speeds up the chore of washing and ironing laundry, while limiting the humidity inherent in drying laundry in the house (although you have shared some tips to make drying indoors easier). However, its benefits do not stop there. Indeed, if it is a condensation model, you can consider recovering the water in the recovery tank so as to use it in everyday life. Find out how to adopt this good ecological and economical habit thanks to our ideas for recycling water from the dryer.
What to Know Before Reusing Dryer Water
When the device is in operation, the water inside loses its mineral charge through evaporation and turns into demineralized water. This is a bargain, because this type of water costs money in stores. Condensate from the dryer can therefore allow you to make significant savings while limiting your waste! Free of limescale, it is also ideal for carrying out all your household tasks without scaling up all the surfaces of the house, all while participating in the optimization of natural resources used on a daily basis.
In general, we recommend don’t drink it. Its consumption does not present any danger unless you only consume this type of water. However, you should be aware that small quantities of detergent as well as textile fibers may remain. This is also the reason why it is better always filter it before using it with a coffee filter or gauze, whatever the intended use.
Finally, before using the water from the dryer in a steam appliance (steam cleaner, steam mop, etc.), check in the instructions whether it is equipped with an anti-limescale system to extend its lifespan. If this is the case, you will not need to pour your demineralized water into it and will be able to keep it safely for other uses!
What to do with water from the dryer? Here’s how to reuse it intelligently
1) Water from the dryer to do your ironing
Demineralized water in an iron or steam generator allows you to protect the device from limescale deposits could obstruct it. In addition to ensuring a longer lifespan for your small household appliances, this also helps prevent white marks and brown runs on clothes when ironing. And finally, your laundry is less likely to shine. You can therefore use your demineralized water mixed at 50% with tap water.
2) For watering green plants
Dryer water is very low in minerals and not necessarily suitable as the only watering waterespecially since it may contain detergent residue. However, you can use it from time to time without risk for your green plant, alternating with mineralized water so as not to deplete the substrate. If possible, choose those which are very sensitive to limescale or which become saturated due to the mineral salts present in tap water. Cacti and succulents are, for example, among the plants that appreciate the use of demineralized water. You can also completely spray this water on the foliage of your plants to protect them from excessively dry ambient air. They will thus display greener, dust-free and vigorous leaves! Just make sure you let it cool before using it.
3) Water from the dryer to fill the toilet
Use the water collected in the tank to fill your toilet flush. To do this, simply put it aside in a bucket and pour it into the toilet bowl after using the toilet.
Good to know: You can also recover the shower water usually wasted at the start of the toilet when you wait for it to become hot enough for the same use. You will easily save 5 to 10 liters of water.
4) Cleaning at home with water from the dryer
The water from your dryer is ideal for clean without leaving traces of limescale after drying of the cleaned surfaces. For example, you can use it to fill your steam mop and clean floors and tiles. In this case, you can use it alone or mix ⅓ dryer water and ⅔ white vinegar. This free (or almost!) elixir is also very effective for cleaning the shower cubicle, mirrors and even windows. Simply rub with a soft cloth (like microfiber cloth) and let the product do the rest! Your glass surfaces will be like new.
5) An ingredient of choice for your household products
Laundry detergent, multi-use cleaning product, dishwashing liquid, window cleaner… Many recipes for homemade cleaning products require the use of water. If you’re looking for ways to recycle water collected from the dryer, now is a good time to use it!
6) To straighten your hair
Deionized water is generally preferable for a hair straightener that works with steam. Alone or mixed with tap water, it goes like this prevent the accumulation of limescale which could damage it in the long run. This will ensure you keep it in good working order for longer.
7) Water from the dryer can also be used to groom your pets
Do your pets need a bath? If you have collected enough demineralized water depending on its size, it can certainly be used to rinse out the shampoo and shine your hair. If you use a natural and ecological detergent, for example a homemade recipe sans essential oil (very important!), it can also be used to supplement the water in your fish’s aquarium.
8) And finally, consider using it to wash the car
After washing a car or motorcycle, rinsing with distilled or demineralized water finalizes the cleaning and avoid white marks when drying with a chamois or microfiber. This tip, however, requires collecting enough product to thoroughly rinse the entire vehicle. You will therefore have to be patient until you have enough if you plan to use it.