which brand of washer dryer would it be wisest to opt for?

triade

I live in a flat so I must get a single unit for both washing and drying. it seems they are likely to be less reliable, but that's the consequences of being poor, everything costs more.

well I am trying to decide brand. the cheapest ones sell the most and so the parts must be easy to get and repairs therefore cheaper. on the other hand, paying a little more for a more reliable brand will likely result in less chance of breakdown but in the cases of it actually breaking down, repairs would be more expensive, right?

The question is, what would be most cost effective?

My budget is around £350-400 but if it makes a lot of sense to do so, I could try and increase my budget or even search for a second hand unit.

KxMx

I manage in a flat without a dryer, in fact it's my first 6 months here and I'm managing surprisingly well, even when I can't dry outdoors at all and not using heating much yet. I do two loads a week this time of year. 

Instead of a dryer I do an extra spin cycle in the WM, and have three airer racks of varying sizes and a small £25 dehumidifier, which speeds up the drying process and takes in a surprising amount of water. 

If you do want to get a washer/dryer then I would look at they cycles and programmes it offers as an important factor. I did look at washer/dryers but the complaints, poor reviews and long tumble dry cycles put me off. I ended up getting a washing machine that offered a quick 30c, 30 minute cycle as that was a must for me. Other brands didn't have the temperature options to suit me or cycles shorter than an hour. 

joedenise

You have to remember if you get a washer dryer that you can only dry half a load at a time, ie you need to do twice as many drying cycles for a full load.  Personally I'd go with @KxMx idea of just a washing machine plus airers.  Perhaps invest in one of the heated airers.

I've got a tumble dryer but still haven't needed to use it this year even though we've had loads of rain.  I can get a reasonable sized load on an airer which dries easily between washing and the next morning.  Could also consider having one of the retractable lines across the bath or shower.

triade

KxMx said:

If you do want to get a washer/dryer then I would look at they cycles and programmes it offers as an important factor. I did look at washer/dryers but the complaints, poor reviews and long tumble dry cycles put me off. I ended up getting a washing machine that offered a quick 30c, 30 minute cycle as that was a must for me. Other brands didn't have the temperature options to suit me or cycles shorter than an hour. 

Thanks for the advice!

I've never had a washing machine or a dryer though so I don't really know what I need. I've always taken my laundry to the launderette and just paid them to do it. I don't have a lot of time to do it and I have a learning disability that makes it difficult to keep on top of things. I just want to put my laundry in, press the button and have it sort them out.

triade

joedenise said:

You have to remember if you get a washer dryer that you can only dry half a load at a time, ie you need to do twice as many drying cycles for a full load.  Personally I'd go with @KxMx idea of just a washing machine plus airers.  Perhaps invest in one of the heated airers.

I've got a tumble dryer but still haven't needed to use it this year even though we've had loads of rain.  I can get a reasonable sized load on an airer which dries easily between washing and the next morning.  Could also consider having one of the retractable lines across the bath or shower.

It sounds sensible and cost effective, but I have to consider what will likely happen. There is a big chance I will neglect to take the wet clothes out and end up with worse problems than piles of dry laundry. This is just how my mind operates, it's not something I can change. At least not without some kind of magic pill. (i think it's adhd or autism or something)

DullGreyGuy

triade said:
I just want to put my laundry in, press the button and have it sort them out.

You can, but that's a very expensive way to do it as the dryer can only do a half load so if you want it to back to back wash then dry you have to do only half load wash cycles.

Washer dryers are very much a compromise, particularly on the dryer function. I am honestly very tempted to just do the wash at home and take the clothes to the laundrette to dry... we have excessive laundry for a couple and no outside space for drying so about 4 loads of washing which would be 8 loads of drying each being 3 hours and most the clothes still wont be dry.

We have a storage cupboard, if we had water on that side of the flat I'd put a separate washer and dryer ontop of each other (dont know why we dont see that config much in the UK when its so popular elsewhere) 

triade

DullGreyGuy said:

triade said:
I just want to put my laundry in, press the button and have it sort them out.

You can, but that's a very expensive way to do it as the dryer can only do a half load so if you want it to back to back wash then dry you have to do only half load wash cycles.

Washer dryers are very much a compromise, particularly on the dryer function. I am honestly very tempted to just do the wash at home and take the clothes to the laundrette to dry... we have excessive laundry for a couple and no outside space for drying so about 4 loads of washing which would be 8 loads of drying each being 3 hours and most the clothes still wont be dry.

We have a storage cupboard, if we had water on that side of the flat I'd put a separate washer and dryer ontop of each other (dont know why we dont see that config much in the UK when its so popular elsewhere) 

I see your point. Perhaps I can find some way to form a habit in order to resolve this. It would take some figuring out, but if I treat it like cooking then maybe I can manage. The question then would be, where could I put a heated rack? I don't have much space at all. I suppose I could still do this with a washer dryer if I don't put it on automatic back-to-back, but then I have to set an alarm to go to it and take half out and dry then go back and do the other half. that's very much like cooking.

DullGreyGuy

The other option is to do it back to back with a full load, then get !!!!!! off its all still very damp and repeat the drying cycle (not saying that's what anyone I know does). 

Heated airers in principle sound a good idea but never looked into where the moisture goes to... could easily lead to damp issue if there is no condensation mechanism

triade

DullGreyGuy said:

 

Heated airers in principle sound a good idea but never looked into where the moisture goes to... could easily lead to damp issue if there is no condensation mechanism

yes, it'd either have to be the bathroom with an extension cable or a dehumidifier. The bathroom option is way too dangerous though.

DullGreyGuy

triade said:

DullGreyGuy said:

 

Heated airers in principle sound a good idea but never looked into where the moisture goes to... could easily lead to damp issue if there is no condensation mechanism

yes, it'd either have to be the bathroom with an extension cable or a dehumidifier. The bathroom option is way too dangerous though.

Depends on what you are doing in there at the same time... have to remember that in the majority of the world its perfectly normal to have plug sockets in bathrooms and yet most still make it to adulthood despite using hairdryers, straightners etc over the bathroom sink

diystarter7

Please do not do "second hand", especially on a combi washer/drier.
Get a decent/quiet washing machien with a 5 year warranty and a I think its table top or smaller drier for some items that you want softer and or that take a long time to dry. The rest can go in the bathroom, yes not nice but can work for certain people or get one of those that can be stuck on top of the washing machine.

something like this or smaller

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08S7LTGC6?tag=track-ect-uk-569431-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=ecSEP1rq2xla8ojteq