to be considering buying a washing machine without an integrated tumble dryer?

[Trazzletoes]

My washing machine has washed its last load. Looking at getting a new machine, obviously.

I was always under the impression that if you get a combined washer/dryer (sp?!) it will be a jack of all trades, and therefore master of none, unless you pay an awful lot of money for it. Which I don't have.

Since we've lived in this house (about a year) I haven't used the drier part of the current machine anyway as the machine was always very dodgy and I was slightly nervous that it might catch fire so we have survived with an airer and dehumidifier.

I do like having a tumble dryer and very much appreciate the convenience. I would also use it (and have done in the past) if we had one because it would be new.

There is no space in our house for a separate tumbler.

WIBU to get a plain old common-or-garden washer? Or am I over-thinking this and a washer/dryer would actually be just as good?

Are you really sure you don't have the room? I made the room (by putting it in our bedroom) as I have heard so many stories about how shite the combined ones are, and would be lost without a tumble dryer. Takes only an hour tops in mine so long as the filter is cleaned, and it makes the room lovely and warm during winter AND I can sit on the bed whilst sorting clothes out.

If you can cope without a tumble, you would be best not to waste your money on a combined washer/dryer IMO.

Could you stack the machines? That is what I am doing. Washer on bottom with dryer on top. You need a wee bracket thing to stop the dryer falling off. Or a shelf.

Ok, so the Mumsnet jury appears to err on the side of separate machines (with the potential of putting a dryer in the leaky garage if we ever get it cleared out needs must). I will put your very helpful arguments to DH. Thanks!

No stacking possible. We don't have a utility room, washing machine is in the kitchen underneath the work surface and a cupboard. We can barely afford a new washing machine right now, let alone the new kitchen that I'm desperate for! There is absolutely no spare wall space in the kitchen to rearrange.

Trazzle
We just had a cupboard in the downstairs loo moved to fit the machines in there cause I wanted to save space in kitchen.

Not read the other replies but we bought a Bosch washer drier a few years ago and it has worked very well. We've been very happy with it.

We were on holiday recently in a cottage with a combi washer/dryer. It did not wash very well and took hours and hours to get the stuff to a state of being a bit warm and slightly damp. It was a Hotpoint and rubbish at both!

I'd far rather have a decent washing machine and drape my clothes around the house, than a inefficient drier (we ended up draping the clothes around the house anyway).

We've got the drier in the shed (no leaky roof though) and it really isn't that much of a pain going to and fro with the laundry unless you forget it until you have got ready for bed.

I had a washer drier and it was rubbish. I don't know anyone who has one and likes it.

I love my washer drier! It's a Candy one that has a 7kg wash load and 6kg for drying. No need to take any out if you don't pack it to the rafters. It's brilliant.

Ok. Here's a plan. Rent a combi, then if you don't like it, get them to switch it out for a washer.
We rented for years. It's great. Costs a minimal amount, all repairs covered and when it wears out, they give you a new one!

Ours is good for drying emergencies but only then, and everything comes out very creased.
Look at Which? They generally know about these things!

ILoveOnions was it an indesit combined one?! I could have written your post, except when the drier part went caput (only about two years old) we just bought a separate condenser drier. I never understood why there was no lint screen / filter... I wonder if we might take it to bits to find and clean it ourselves! At least then we could get the drier function working and sell it on, to then get just a washing machine! (Which is my advice btw - separate all the way OP)

I'd get a washing machine only, and when I could afford it, a heated drying rack. I have a separate drier, but only ever use it for sheets and towels in the winter, everything else goes on racks or clothes lines.

I have a hotpoint aquarius washer drier. I dont use the drier unless I have to, but like it there for "emergencies". Ive never had any trouble with it :)

Used to have a beko washing machine and hotpoint condenser drier, but when they died, I liked having the extra space. Plus i did tend to use the drier more then, just because i could... Hotpoint machine seems to get clothes cleaner than beko one did?

I've got a Miele combination, bought as I thought Miele would be good. Isn't at all and don't use drier.

Stick to washer only & airing racks & save your money.

I love mine and my life wouldn't work without the ability to put a load of washing on when I go to bed and wake up to clean dry clothes. Which reviewed washer dryers this month and the best were AEG machines so not too expensive. If a washer dryer suits your lifestyle then don't be put off and just buy the best you can

Oh pmpy you totally have this FlyLady thing sussed

I guess it depends on your timings then. I like being able to do several lots of washing one after the other during the day, I never do it overnight, so separate suits me as I can wash and dry at the same time. I must admit I was put off by the one washer dryer I ever had, it was crap, but that was years ago.

Fire service recommend you NEVER use washer/dryer/dishwasher overnight - they are the biggest cause of house fires, and if you are asleep you have much worse chance of getting out!

Our electricity bill plummeted when our drier broke. We didn't buy a new one, but we do have a spin dryer (2800 rpm) which gets clothes much drier than a normal washer's spin and can hide in a cupboard. Then we either shove clothes on airers or the washing line or radiators. Have a dehumidifer too. This all happened pre-DC and I don't think we'd go back.

We had a (v expensive and highly rated Zanussi) combi. In seven years I used the drier function maybe five times. Pain. In. The. Arse.

Posted too soon.

Then we moved and now have separate (drier in garage). Much cheaper overall and much better function. Over spring/summer the tumble can stay off for weeks even when the washer is on twice a day. And at the moment I can get three loads washed and dried by lunchtime.

We've got a combined machine, but I would have got seperate ones if we'd had the space. It's good. It cost about £500 though, but it is fab. It also has a setting where you can chuck in an outfit (like jeans, a top and a sweater) and it will be washed and dried in just over an hour, which is really handy.

It does dry most things well, not towels though! Most loads only need 1 hour of drying.

Do you have high enough ceilings for a pulley somewhere? It's the single most brilliant appliance in our home and costs zero.

In the summer things dry quickly naturally, and in the winter the warm air rising up from the central heating means even better drying.