I wanted to reply to your post re your tumble dryer problem but I can't seem to find the OP. I've been thinking that if your cat was ok going into the room before the tumble dryer arrived then it has to be the reason he is reluctant to go in now. Have you been having the tumble dryer on since you got it, perhaps it sounds different from the old one
Maybe don't turn it on until he has accepted going back into the room again. Perhaps you could try putting his food in the door way into there - a sort of compromise so that he doesn't have to actually go into the room to get his food and when he is happy with that gradually move it slightly each day until it is where it usually is. Let us know how you get on!