Washer dryer advice

trailingspouse

Also, with a separate washer and dryer you can be washing a second load while you're drying the first. As others have said, only consider the combined washer/dryer if there's no option - and even then I would prefer to dry outside/on a radiator. I guess, if you MUST buy a washer dryer, the least frustrating option (but more labour-intensive) would be to wash the clothes, line/radiator dry them, then just put them back in the dryer to 'finish them off'.

bylromarha

We bought a Indesit washer dryer 7.5 years ago. Both parts still working.

Reason for buying? We only had room for 1 appliance and I wanted to have a dryer as we had a baby and a toddler in reuseable nappies.

It's all in the timing of the washing - if you plan carefully and use an airer, you don't need to use the dryer more than once a week in the winter. We never did in a small house, with 1 large airer washing clothes for 2ad, 2 kids and 2 sets of poopy nappies!

electricdreams

I've got the AEG lavamat shown in the link - got it from ao.com a couple of years ago. I think it's great - it's got a big drum which is useful for washing blankets etc. I generally set it to do a cycle during the night, and it's very quiet. Like the OP plans, I only use the dryer for sheets/towels but I've never had any problems with the dryer not drying things properly.

freeganneist

I've owned a Zanussi washer dryer for over 20 years. It's had just one small technical problem, in its first year while still under warranty.

I use it mainly as a washing machine; as such it's performed extremely well. The dryer is only used if I need something dried quickly, or to help dry large towels. That's an environmental choice - I'd rather dry things naturally if possible - but perhaps not so much of a concern with newer machines.

My wash cycles are beginning to take longer, so after 20+ years I think it might need maintenance or replacing. I've been researching replacements on Which? (free trial) and think that's a really good place to look for advice, and you can read up on how they compare to (non-drying) washing machines. You can buy machines with much larger drum sizes now, which means you can dry a much larger load and you're more likely to be able to do a continuous wash and dry cycle without removing anything. Drying cycles seem to take longer in modern machines than in my old Zanussi - that may be to do with energy efficiency. But on the plus side there are more cycle choices now.

Before I owned my washer-dryer I had a plain washing machine, and I've been very happy with my decision to go for a combined machine - it's been great value for money and has worked well for a small family.

DigForVictory

What wonderful parents!

If you're having massive doubts, stick to a washer & rack airer/dryer, but go over it all with your folks so they understand where you are coming from, even if they may not agree.

Have fun in your first home!

PollyOnAMission

I've had a washer dryer for years and bought the AEG one in the link last year. I highly recommend it; it is quiet, has a big drum and washes and dries a full king sized set of sheets (four pillow cases, fitted sheet and duvet cover) in a single load successfully. It's so handy having the option to dry if you want to yet without sacrificing extra kitchen space. I definitely recommend the AEG one you posted.

JulieElizabeth

I inherited a Candy CMD 146 from my mother - would be about 5 years old now and still going strong

I dry very rarely though, only when needs must

Kathy535

I had a washer dryer for a couple years. I only had it that long because it only lasted that long. Even if it had been more reliable I wouldn't have another one, you can't wash then dry the same load, you have to unload the washing and put a small amount in so you still have wet washing around. The dryer in my indesit machine was very poor, it took forever to dry a load. I found myself in the situation where I still had loads of wet washing to get dry but needed the washer to get more stuff clean (doing 5-6 washes a week). Now I don't have a dryer, instead I use an airer and a clothes rail next to a radiator, but I am lucky enough to have a spare room to put the wet stuff in. Even then it can be difficult to get stuff dry in the milder but damp weather.

Anyhow, that's a long winded way of saying that, given the choice and the room, I'd get a washing machine and a tumble dryer as it's more efficient.

nathorpe

I inherited a washer-dryer when I bought my flat last year, and so far haven't had any problems with it. I've only got one bedroom, limited storage space, and no radiators to assist with drying so if it broke down I'd probably get another out of practicality.

In warmer weather (or when I know I'm going to be out all day) I tend to hang everything up on a clothes airer and open the windows. The dryer function isn't anywhere near as good as a standalone - but works reasonably well if you leave the clothes in long enough.

I know it's not exactly a ringing endorsement, and I can see that if you needed to do more washing that I personally do living alone, it might be a right pain in the neck.