Washing machine or washer drier

rose28454 · 8 August 2008 at 11:21AM

My washing machine has just died on me and I am wondering what to buy. I have about £250.00 to £300.00 to spend. Now I was just going to just buy a washing machine but I also have a tatty old tumble drier and was wondering how efficient the new washer dryers are? Then I could get rid of the old drier and put another kitchen unit in its place. I have recently seperated from OH and am short on money ( bil gave me £500.00 emergency fund which I will use for machine!) and my kitchen is in need uf updating so I though maybe getting a washer/ dryer might be a good idea. However I dont know how efficient they are. Anyone any thought on subject and what bargains there are to be had for washing machines or washer dryers at the mo. Many thanks

username · 8 August 2008 at 11:33AM

I would certainly go for the washing machine only, and put the £300 to buying a good quality washing machine than a second-rate washer dryer that has a bad reputation. I found the site www.washerhelp.co.uk to be a very comprehensive aid to everything and anything about washing machines, this page in particular: http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/buying-advice-5.html

andrew-b · 8 August 2008 at 1:21PM

I don't think there's much to be gained in energy efficiency over seperate washer and drier as it's still got to do the same amount of work as two seperate machines. But it's not as practical with a washer drier as you have to wait for one load of washing to be dried before you can start the next.

Andy

belfastgirl23 · 8 August 2008 at 2:27PM

I had a W/D and would never recommend it. The drum was too small to be an effective tumble dryer and it left everything very wrinkled. And too small to TD a duvet cover etc. The only stuff I ever dried in it was my undies! I had no choice since I was in a flat but once I moved I spent most of my budget on the washing machine and just got a cheap dryer since I don't use it so much anyway (now have a back yard to dry in!)

moonrakerz · 8 August 2008 at 2:44PM

1. Washer driers are notoriously unreliable.
2. They will usually tumble only half the quantity that they will wash, so it takes ages to do your washing and drying.

toffeegirl · 8 August 2008 at 4:04PM

In my kitchen refurb I was thinking along the same lines as you... til I saw the product reviews for washer-driers. Even the expensive brands didn't get very good reviews. I'm sticking with a decent washing machine (and in my case - not getting a dryer).

dursley.donkey · 8 August 2008 at 5:08PM

1. Buy a washer only
2. Throw out your tumble drier and buy a clothes horse. You'll save a fortune in electricity.

yorksguy11 · 8 August 2008 at 10:00PM

From personel experience stick to a washer only. I bought a Hoover Washer Drier, the washers ok but the drier is useless, Doesnt seem to dry properly and comes out all creased

Chloe5 · 9 August 2008 at 8:11AM

Agree - sep washer and dryer from personal experience.

Also, takes ages to do washing and drying. You can't dry the whole wash load - the weights change from the amount you can wash to the amount you can dry so you'll have some wet stuff sitting around.

rose28454 · 9 August 2008 at 8:44AM

Thanks all. I have decided to follow the advice on here and go for the washing machine on its own. I also looked at Which reccomendations and as I dont have a lot of money am ging to go for a Zanussi or Tricity Bendix. Apparently they are both made by AEG who make some of the best machines. I had a Zanussi years ago and it was a great machine. Also the report said you should steer clear of Hoover and Hotpoint. Now just to find one at a good price.!! I will also move the tumble dryer out ot the shed and find my clothes horse ( thanks Dursley Donkey for that). I always used to have one and havent used it for years. By the way I bought my tumble dryer in an auction about 1o years ago for £14.00 and it is a great little machine but a bit tatty

ailuro2 · 9 August 2008 at 8:55AM

I had a washer drier which had lasted 10 years before it gave up the ghost, and so I asked around at work (we're all maintenance people) to find out who had one they liked, and the general concensus was they are not built to last anymore, except Miele which are prohibitively expensive.

So I bought the special offer Hoover washer that had a big load capacity and a high spin speed, with no drier in it. £199 and bagged free delivery too.
That meant I was taking a gamble that it would last more than a couple of years, but so far so good, touch wood, it's about 3yo and no problems. The fast spin speed means the clothes need less drying on the airer/line/radiator.

I hadn't used the drier much anyway in the old machine, but I did miss it at first for finishing off clothes I wanted to wear straight after washing them. I now just plan ahead, or wear something else. It's a lot better for the leccy bills too. anything that just moves is a lot cheaper to run than something that heats.

Washing machine or washer drier

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