Washer-dryers versus standard w. machines - any views?

Alan_Cross

My useless Zanussi has gone phhttt after just four years in service and I'm looking for a replacement. The thing is that I'm getting fed up with the difficult drying conditions we get during winter and this is set to get worse with global warming.

I haven't the space for a tumbler dryer but am wondering whether a washer dryer would be a good idea. It would certainly earn its keep at this time of year. Even a small amount of drying to 'get the worst off' would be a godsend and it would not always even be needed at all, especially during the summer.

Has anyone ever had/used one and consequently be able to speak from experience?

dandy-candy

I bought one because I was sick of washing taking forever to dry in the house but a few issues cropped up:
1) ups the electric bill a fair bit
2) the clothes take quite a time to dry so I got less washing done
3) your socks/pants/tshirts shrink!

I now have just a normal washing machine and bought a dehumidifier instead so my washing dries quicker than just hanging it.

arbrighton

And usually you can't dry a full load of washing in the dryer....

ripplyuk

Is there space anywhere else in the house, where you could put a condenser dryer?

The combined washer/dryers have a small drum so you have to take some of the wet clothes out before starting the drying cycle. So drying a few loads can take ages.

I have a condenser and I love it as it sends out all the heat into the room which means I can turn the main heating off. I do about 3 loads a week and it uses about £1 on electric.

If space is a real problem, I'd go with a dehumidifier. I have one of those too, for drying things that can't go in the drier.

jk0

My Miele washer dryer is now 11 years old and still going strong touch wood. The dryer only gets used about half a dozen times a year, so ideal not to waste more kitchen space for it in my view.

I take my shirts & tea towels out and iron them damp, so it's just underwear & sheets that get tumble dried. (Always on night rate.) The Miele lets you delay spinning, so clothes don't get creased waiting for me to get up. Also, sometimes I re-fill it with water, after removing the shirts, so that the spin and tumble can happen on the night rate.

rach_k

My washer dryer washes 9kg and dries 6kg so by the time I've taken out things I don't want tumbled, it's about right. I don't think 6kg is particularly tiny.

I still try to air dry things but having the option to tumble is very useful in winter or for things you want fluffing up. I tend to air dry things like tops that I want to avoid ironing, leaving things like jeans and underwear to be tumbled. I tumble towels too, at least to start them off. People often complain about it taking longer than a standard dryer and not being to wash and dry at the same time, but unless you're washing and drying more than three/four loads every day of the week, a little organisation gets around that. I do my family's washing over the weekend with no fuss.

It does cost more than air drying but I like the extra space enough that I think it's worth it - I'd not go back to separates.

Alan_Cross

dandy-candy wrote: »

I now have just a normal washing machine and bought a dehumidifier instead so my washing dries quicker than just hanging it.

I'm intrigued by this idea. So the thought is that you put out your washing on an airer, in the kitchen say, and have a dehumidifier going nearby. Is that right? What size/capacity/wattage, I'd like to know, in order to have an effect..?

trailingspouse

I normally hang washing outside whenever possible, but for the last year I haven't been able to, due to building work. I put everything through a fast spin, then hang it on clothes horses - either round the warm radiators in the winter, or by an open window in the summer. I then 'finish them off' in the tumble dryer.

I wonder if something like this would work with a washer dryer? Do all the washing, putting each load on the airer - then as things dry, put them back in on a dryer setting to get the last of the dampness out of them. It would mean you could get all your washing done in less time, and wouldn't cost as much as drying from scratch (and without the hassle of having to take some things out before using the dryer). If that makes sense.

LameWolf

Our last B0sch washer dryer did eleven years' sterling work before it got to the stage where we needed to replace it; we've gone for another B0sch.
I only use the dryer function if I can't dry outdoors, and really only for bedlinen and towels, but I wouldn't be without it - we have a really tiny bungalow, no room for two separate appliances, and nowhere to put large items to dry when I can't hang them outside.

sillyvixen

When I was a youngster my parents got a washer dryer - we used to have the repairman out twice yearly to replace the belt due to wear and tear - we didn't even use the dryer if we could hang washing outside. The repair man said it was due to the duelality of the machine.

TiredTrophy

When we lived in the uk ,we combined a dehumidifier with a heated laundry airer.....after hanging out if at all possible.
Stood in the front room overnight, dry by morni g and put away. Hang the shirts on a hanger to reduce ironing. Sheets often needed a quick iron.if not hung out.

Still cheaper than a drier.

A stand alone washer is less likely to go wrong.