Brits are in a spin as to which white good is the most essential: a tumble dryer or a dishwasher. With the cost of housing squeezing people into smaller spaces and the cost of living rising, the luxury of owning both is increasingly out of reach. Given a choice between the two, though, 47% of people in the UK favour a tumble dryer, while 44% would choose a dishwasher, according to a YouGov survey. Pity the 9% of Brits who can’t make up their mind.
We took to the streets to find out more about the issue dividing the nation.
Elizabeth Beall, 36, sustainability consultant, London
With a baby, the tumble dryer is useful. I don’t mind washing up dishes; I feel like you have to wash before you put in the dishwasher anyway. My partner, who is Italian, would go for a dishwasher because they don’t have tumble dryers in Italy!
Pete Jay, 31, marketer, London
I’ve never used a tumble dryer in London. If you had asked me this in Canada, where I’m from, I would definitely have chosen a tumble dryer. People there have more space for washing and drying machines. In London, e verything is in my kitchen in a small space, so I would sacrifice the dryer for a dishwasher.
Mary McTigue, 70, retired, Newcastle
Definitely a tumble dryer. A dishwasher is a lazy way out. I don’t mind washing up. I am a widow and live on my own, so I don’t wash up every day. I like to do more exciting things like playing table tennis or visiting my children.
Anthony Wright, 42, profession not given, Hertfordshire
I would take a dishwasher, because I cook a lot. Young people don’t like to wash up dishes – they just chuck the dish in the sink. But my mum taught me everything; I like to do things.
Gurps Gawera, 40, accountant, Leicester
I would definitely choose the dishwasher. I have a wife and two kids, and my mum and dad live with me, but it always falls to me to wash the dishes. I choose clean plates and wet clothes.
Kate McTigue, 33, history teacher, Cairo
Where I live, there is no need for a tumble dryer, so I guess I would have a dishwasher. But it is just me, so I wouldn’t use it much. In the UK, I would choose a tumble dryer, as it is always cold.
Danielle Bastian, 24, secretary, Essex
I would choose a dishwasher, because I’ve got flatmates, so it makes it more of a smooth process. Drying clothes is easy, you just stick your washing on a clothes horse.
Leo Scott, 32, gallery curator, London
I don’t want either as they are both harmful to the environment, but I guess I would choose the dishwasher. But I’m principled, so I don’t think it is necessary: just do your dishes!
Lasharn Williams, 20, model and trainee social worker, London
A dishwasher is most definitely more important. You can air-dry your clothes, which I prefer, as you can still smell the Comfort. And no one likes to wash the dishes. I have flatmates; if the house is not clean, I can’t concentrate.
