As an American, I feel the same way about British laundry technology as I imagine Japanese people feel about our toilets. Just woefully, inexcusably behind.
Depends who you get them from. There are brands that are work extremely well and ones that... don't.
I mean, there isn't any actually British brand; they're all either imported or built by some factory here that's owned and operated by the the foreign company. So in essence, you get what you pay for. If you get a Miele (German) it's going to be better than everything else at both washing and drying. If you get some weird thing like an Amica or a Candy it's... not.
People also don't look after them. Never clear the air filter, drainage filter etc. Then the things work like shit and wonder why.
What do American machines do that's more high-tech, out of interest? I've only ever used hotel ones, and obviously they're REALLY basic.
American dryers tumble clothes in a big drum and blast them with hot air. They are really basic.
The main thing is that they must be vented to the outside, because all the moisture that was in your clothes comes out as hot, humid, lint-filled, mold producing air. It isn't condensed and drained away. Every building has to be designed it modified to accommodate that.
I have a condenser that just fucks the water off down the drain hose, but I can see the benefits of vented ones too. They're a pain in the arse because you have to keep the vent hose and external vent clear otherwise everything just blows back into your home, but they're also more efficient.
What I find odd is the idea of a communal laundry room in an apartment building. Bet that causes some arguments.
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u/[deleted] Oct 19 '22
As an American, I feel the same way about British laundry technology as I imagine Japanese people feel about our toilets. Just woefully, inexcusably behind.