Do Wash Dryers really dry your clothes?

camills

Hi guys,

I am thinking of stepping up from a "clothing line" system to a washer/ dryer :j

I have a great washing machine but find a pain to have to get all the clothes on the line every time. Weather is unreliable and in the winter the whole house gets messy with clothes on radiators.

However, I would love to get some opinions as to weather a washer/dryer really works. Essentially, will I be able to take the clothes from the dryer straight to the wardrobe? I don't tend to iron clothes (t-shirts, etc).

I know it can depend on the quality of the machine but in general are they really worth the money?

Would love to hear your thoughts...thank you in advance :-)

Yorkie1

They should be dry enough to put straight away I believe, but I think that the maximum capacity of the drying cycle is often only about half of the washing cycle, so you'd need to take some of the washing out before starting the drying, and do it in two drying cycles.

There is also the issue of their reliability. There are often reports on here of the combined machine being less reliable than single machines, and of course if one part goes wrong then you're left with a half-functioning machine.

Vampgirl

We have had a washer-dryer for the past 8 years (3 different ones) and we never use the dryer - much prefer to line dry in the summer and on hangers/airer in the bathroom in winter (but we do have two bathrooms so the clothes don't get in the way). The very very few occasions we've used the dryer the clothes have always come out hot and damp (even after 45 mins in the dryer). Its certainly nothing like a tumble dryer - takes much longer and the heat appears to fiercer. When we move into our own house in a few months we'll be getting a washing machine only.

ic

My first washer/dryer by Zanussi lasted 9 years before the dryer became unreliable. I've replaced with an AEG machine that offers a high spin speed, and very good capacity (8Kg wash, 6Kg dry). I'm very happy with it. If I had the space, I'd have two separate machines, but I don't. Also I tend to use the dryer side of it for things like bedding, or when I need something in a hurry. Fundamentally the washing side isn't compromised, but the dryer is, as ideally the drum should be larger to allow more tumble space. A combined machine does work, but isn't as efficient as a standalone model as the drying time is longer.

jhe

i have hada Zanussi washer/dryer in the past and yes they do work. I would rather have washer/dryer than no dryer at all. But imo my seperate dryer dries clothes a lot quicker than the combined one.
my latest dryer has a sensor that automatically turns itself off when washing is dry

SomeUser

The work, but they aren't the best. I prefer using a clothes horse and dehumidifier, but use a washer dryer for towels and sheets.

camills

ic wrote: »

My first washer/dryer by Zanussi lasted 9 years before the dryer became unreliable. I've replaced with an AEG machine that offers a high spin speed, and very good capacity (8Kg wash, 6Kg dry). I'm very happy with it. If I had the space, I'd have two separate machines, but I don't. Also I tend to use the dryer side of it for things like bedding, or when I need something in a hurry. Fundamentally the washing side isn't compromised, but the dryer is, as ideally the drum should be larger to allow more tumble space. A combined machine does work, but isn't as efficient as a standalone model as the drying time is longer.

The AEG model you have is exactly the one I am looking to purchase.

Thank you for all the replies guys, I think I will go for it as I cannot stand having to lay everything on a horse or radiators or even on a line outside....call me lazy or busy....if there is a quicker way to get this job done, I will take it....:rotfl:
Thanks again, much appreciated :beer:

Ben84

If you can, I think separate machines are better. Drying clothes takes a fairly long time in a dryer and that whole time you can't start another wash in a combined machine. Maybe ok for occasional use or someone with small washing needs, but for regular or heavy use it will make doing the washing a pretty long task. Modern washing machines are already painfully slow at 2-3 hours for a standard 60 cycle, then add in another couple of hours to dry. You could probably only manage two loads in a day that way, and it would take the whole day.

meer53

Ben84 wrote: »

If you can, I think separate machines are better. Drying clothes takes a fairly long time in a dryer and that whole time you can't start another wash in a combined machine. Maybe ok for occasional use or someone with small washing needs, but for regular or heavy use it will make doing the washing a pretty long task. Modern washing machines are already painfully slow at 2-3 hours for a standard 60 cycle, then add in another couple of hours to dry. You could probably only manage two loads in a day that way, and it would take the whole day.

My washer (5 years old) has several cycles to choose from, the shortest is 55 minutes. I've never used a 2-3 hour cycle :eek:

It's a washer dryer, never use the dryer really.

Tigsteroonie

I use the dryer part of our washer/dryer for underwear and for littl'un's clothes.

Adult clothing is either put outside on the line, or hung on coathangers in the bathroom.

Ben84

meer53 wrote: »

My washer (5 years old) has several cycles to choose from, the shortest is 55 minutes. I've never used a 2-3 hour cycle :eek:

It's a washer dryer, never use the dryer really.

Machines do usually have shorter cycles, but generally the usual 40 or 60 degree ones are quite long now. It seems to be the main way to counteract the problems with using less water than they used to. The manual often admits that shorter cycles are just for freshening or light soiling, but the advertising makes it sound like the 20 minute cycle is all you need. Truth and advertising have never been close I guess. Anyway, the cleaning performance of the shorter cycles might not be enough for many people, but like everything, your experience may vary. My machine is pretty useless on the short cycles.