Washer/dryer?

wendym

My ancient washing machine has just died. I know combined washer/dryers were unreliable when they were new, but I have a very small kitchen, and it would save space.

Ideally, I would like a machine with a cold/handwash cycle, and would appreciate advice on whether a single purpose machine is the best option, also whether any particular make has a decent reputation...thanks.

silvercar

washer/dryers have much improved in recent years. I know its stating the obvious but having a combined machine means you can't run both at the same time. I found this a real nuisance, a second load of washing waiting until the first has dried before it can go on. Check the amount you can dry at a time, you often can only dry half a load at once.

coolagarry

This is what 'Which' said in their report on 19 June 2006
Washer-dryers are a compromise – they're essentially washing machines with drying functions added on. That's borne out by our test results, as the better washer-dryers match our Best Buy washing machines for washing and spin-drying, but are decidedly second-rate at drying.

Not only do they take a lot longer than a tumble drier to dry clothes, but they often leave clothes much more creased.

Another practical consideration is that none of those we tested can wash and dry the same volume of clothes. That means two rounds of drying for each full load of washing. And, given that washer-dryers take longer to dry a load of clothes than a tumble dryer does, a washer-dryer could give you a serious case of the wash-day blues.

If you can live with those drawbacks – or you don't have a choice – the good news is that a washer-dryer will cost less than the combined cost of a typical middle-of-the-range washing machine and tumble dryer.

And running costs for a washer-dryer are about the same as those for a washing machine and tumble dryer added together.

Quite simply washer-dryers aren't as good as a separate washing machine and tumble dryer.

Currently, there aren't any washer-dryers we'd recommend - the last Best Buy model has been discontinued. We publish the results of our next test in October

coolagarry

And the report continues
"Washer-dryers
Washer-dryers are the least reliable laundry product, with a quarter of all machines breaking down within six years of purchase. The complexities of having both a washing machine and tumble dryer combined means the chances of a problem occurring seem to increase.

However, AEG/AEG-Electrolux is one brand which is bucking the trend - less than 20 per cent of its washer-dryers up to six years old needed a repair. The brands to avoid are Hoover and Hotpoint. With over a third of models made by both brands breaking down within the first six years, owners might want to check the location of their nearest launderette now, just in case.

Breakdown summary
The top three reasons why your machines broke down

14% Main control not working
13% Pump not draining properly
12% Drum not rotating

You recommend
Bosch is the top rated washer-dryer brand among Which? readers, but with only 62 per cent of respondents definitely recommending their brand, it is clear that fewer of you are impressed with your washer-dryer than you are with other appliances. AEG/AEG-Electrolux is also rated above-average by readers, but Indesit and Hoover would receive a recommendation from just 16 per cent of their owners. Hotpoint fares slightly better, but still only 26 per cent of owners would recommend it."

Poggie123

I've got an Ariston washer-dryer which is 3 years old. I have absolutely no problems with the washer side of things but the dryer is rubbish!!! It takes ages to dry things and has ruined several things in the past. I only use the washer function now and have a seperate tumble dryer - so much for moneysaving eh?? My advice would be to avoid them at all costs - unless someone can recommend a good one to you. Good luck!

BrandNewDay

whatever you do, don't buy Hoover. Don't buy anything that even says "Hoover" on it, regardless of the model.

If you are able to line-dry most of your things, and would only use the drying feature once in a while, then maybe it's worth it to you. But I live in one of the rainiest parts of Britain, so I've got a proper vented tumble dryer. Of course, I also have the space (and window for the hose) to have one.

wendym

Thank you all. There are now just two of us at home, and my husband is lobbying for a dishwasher, which I could fit in if I buy a washer/dryer, and just about afford. But although he does most of the washing up (his sole contribution in the kitchen!) I don't think we dirty enough dishes to justifty buying a second choice washing machine.

I'll investigate whether there's an affordable washer/dryer with the features I want (a delicates wash would be wonderful). I think posting this has clarified in my head that I don't really want a washer/dryer, but I'll have a look.

wendym

On reflection, the question I should have asked is:

Is gaining a dishwasher (I've never had one) a fair swap for then having to have a washer/dryer?

tawnyowls

Would it be possible for you to put the TD in a garage or shed? A W/D is, as said above, a compromise, and a pretty poor one, in my view. When we moved house, there was a W/D there (quite a new one) which took ages to get the clothes dry, left little dimples all over them (from being sucked against the holes in the drum), creased them to hell, and could only do half a load. By the end of the first week, I had (literally) thrown in the towel and ordered separate machines. We also only had room for one, so the TD now lives in the garage - after all, I only use it a few months of the year.

Do you know anyone who has a W/D so you could see one in action?

BrandNewDay

wendym wrote:

On reflection, the question I should have asked is:

Is gaining a dishwasher (I've never had one) a fair swap for then having to have a washer/dryer?

No! I don't really get the appeal of dishwashers. I've had them and I've been just as happy without them. Frankly, it's not that hard to get your dishes clean manually, and I think they get cleaner by hand with less mishaps. OTOH, I sure wouldn't want to have to hand-wash my clothes and, frankly, unless I lived somewhere with plenty of sunshine, I'd hate to rely on a washing line to dry them.

tawnyowls

As I understand it, the question here isn't whether she could live without a WM, it's whether she could live more easily without a TD or DW - she's got room for 2, but not 3. Having once had only the WM, and not the other two, I personally would give away the TD before the DW; I generally dry my laundry outside whenever possible anyway, although we do have a shed to dry them in during the winter, so I generally use the TD only to finish them off.