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?

We have one, Hotpoint Aquarius and as we live in a prone to damp flat it is has been very useful in the winter for drying clothes. I dont ever dry a full load usually take towels and jeans, jumpers out of a wash as they make it take twice as long, but definatley worthwhile for us.

There are only 3 of us and tbh I mostly use it for drying dc clothes as they dont really fit on an airer very well. I use the washing machine roughly 4-6 times a week at the moment so have plenty of time inbetween to use the drier.It also makes the kitchen nice and toasty warm when in use.

We have a Zanussi washer dryer, cost under £400 I think, and has been going strong for about 5 years now. Only occasionally use the dryer, for thick things like towels and jeans, which would probably take a few days to dry in a cold house otherwise and would probably not smell so fresh as a result
Separate appliances are always going to be less of a compromise, but a combi can be ok for occasional use.

I have a Miele combi and am very happy with it. Use the full cycle all the time for convenience. But there are only two of us atm. If there was lots more washing I'd go for separates..

I love my washer/dryer. I've only had it a few weeks so it still has novelty value. It does shrink everything though and made the mistake of putting some of the Dcs stuff in it and they were all ruined as the transfer picture things melted and stuck together. Teething problems im sure! I need to re read the instructions I think.

I do love putting the clothes in, come back and finding them dried though. They are very very creased when they come out though.

Takes about 3 hours I think.

Apart from all that it's great.

Oh and it's an indisit one and I can't find a filter to defluff?

I love my combo, but I do have to take stuff out, shake out creases and put back in to dry, otherwise it comes out as a crumpled mess that even ironing can 't sort.

We gave up our dryer when we moved. Have regretted it perhaps 1-2 times in the last 4 years. Generally it gets hung outside and is nicer for it.

I would never buy a washer/dryer as they never seem to work (they don't dry the clothes). I have not heard of anyone who has one finding them good. I think it is cheaper to buy a good washer and a good dryer separately.

We have an integrated washer/ dryer and I regret getting it. We bought it less than a year ago and the dryer bit has just broken for the SECOND time - it's practically useless!

If I were you I'd buy a good quality washer with a high spin cycle speed. That gets the clothes mostly dry anyway. Then hang on radiators, drying rack etc. etc.

Next house I'm definitely just getting a good washer.

I don't have a dryer at all, and with 7 of us there's always loads of wet washing either on the line or the radiators but I manage pretty well tbh.

IvanaNap just checked it is an Indesit one.

Dinasour with our Indesit the filter is inside the machine, we had to call the engineers at least twice a year to have them clean it. The engineers hate doing it and would try to put it off. It is covered by the extended warranty but I always made a point of having it logged when I called to ensure the engineers definatley knew it was one of the jobs to do.

We havn't used a dryer for two years, we use the clothes horse, doors and radiators.

We are going to go for a bigger load wash and high spin.

I'm same as Startail.
Our clothes dry fine. The funny thing is, now the older DCs (18 & 20) have to do their own washing, they are the ones complaining that we have no dryer, mainly because they can't get their arses in gear to do their washing in time. Serves them right IMO.

Thank you ILoveOnionRings I thought as much!

Do you get charged labour?
Can you put the extended warrantee into effect at a later date (i.e. 3 1/2 years later.... )

and/or I don't suppose you know where the filter was located and if it is doable by a layperson?!

I am not sure if you can get an extended warranty after such a length of time. However when our extended warranty ran out we did get an offer to extend for another year but this was by another company (not sure if I can name so PM if you would like to know). This was an awful experience. They messed up the inital appointment 3 times, whe they finally came they did not bring any parts, next visit still no parts, next visit came with half the parts, 10 weeks later machine still not fixed.

They offered to replace the washer/dryer machine like for like. Fabulous we thought. I stresses every phonecall that I was happy with the machine and just wanted it to work fully- this is important). Next DH and I decided, as offered, we would upgrade the machine and pay the difference. Next phonecall, we were told they would only offer 50% of the cost of the machine as it was past a certain number of years old, also we would have to pay for the removal of the old machine and for installation of the new machine. I was outraged - I did not want a new machine just my machine fixed and I used this point over and over again. Eventually I got a cheque for the full value of the machine they initally offered me and cancelled my extended warranty with them. The washing part works but not the dryer. When it gives up will get a new one.

All we can remember (DH said) They took the top of, it was buried in the machine connected with bolts and wires. If you have a local washine machine fixer they would probably know how. DH is hopeless at any sort of DIY, handyman fix it stuff so thinks it is difficult. Oh and DH has just piped up it is not a filter but a condenser (if that helps)

I think it's also an expectation thing. When you are used to doing multiple loads quickly in a separate washer and dryer (quicker and you can run them at the same time) the a combi feels like a pain as it does take much longer.

I have only ever used a combi so I don't see he problem

It saves space, yes it takes long but it all come out dry in the end and you have to space your loads out during the day.

Thank you ILove for the feedback - did your DH mean it was the condenser that needed cleaning, rather than the filter btw?
We had an extended warranty on a car once, external company, had much the same palaver with them as you describe!

Hi Ivana yes he meant the condenser needs cleaning

Just to add to the thread... We have our separate tumble drier in the bathroom which is a spacious (ish) room. We plug it in in the hall with and extension lead when we use it (usually just at weekends). Have you got any space in the bathroom, op ?

I would NEVER have a washer drier again!

Got a Hoover one in December, had be replaced in March by a brand new machine which also broke down 6wks later.

Have now got a Hotpoint 11kg Aqualtis washer and 9kg condenser drier which amazing! Can get a King size duvet washed and dried in 3hrs no problem.

My advice would be to go for separate machines if possible. Unless you have money to burn.