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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Washer dryer argument with DH

295 replies

Magnoliamarigold · 05/10/2021 09:57

Me: We need a washer dryer, it saves space
DH: There is no such thing as a proper washer dryer, they all dry shit. We need a separate washing machine and a separate dryer. Everyone I know agrees with me.

AIBU?

OP posts:
dworky · 05/10/2021 11:37

They are less efficient & they break down more often.

Etinox · 05/10/2021 11:43

Working on the basis that less is more and we should bashing clothes on a rock and drying in the sun, I'm very happy with a washer dryer and hanging. Most goes in 1hr wash which includes fast spin and 20 mins drying. Remove smalls for the towel rail and anything that there's no rush for dries on a hanger. Everything goes outside for airing. Everything gets spun.

SylvanasWindrunner · 05/10/2021 11:45

@sashh

Can I ask those of you siding with DH, how many of you have used a washer dryer?

It's just that I have had people tell me not to get one but they had not used one.

Me! I had one in my old house, which we now rent out. I've never had such creased clothes in my life. It was awful. Stuff came out damp and so, so creased. I literally spent hours ironing every week. It's also broken about 4 times and every time my washing machine repair man grumbles about washer dryers Grin There's no space for a tumble dryer, but I'm going to ask tenants whether they would like another washer dryer or just a normal washing machine when it breaks next.
SunshineCake1 · 05/10/2021 11:47

We had a washer dryer at our old house. Worked ok. Day we moved into our new house with our baby it blew up.

ofwarren · 05/10/2021 11:51

DH is correct

nosyupnorth · 05/10/2021 11:53

I have a washer/dryer and it's fine - as long as you use it properly!

From the sounds of it a lot of posters here are cramming the washer full and then expecting it to wash and dry everything which isn't how they work. But they work perfectly fine if you wash a smaller load or wash a mixed load of things which are and aren't suitable for tumble drying and then take the non-dryer stuff out to put on radiatiors leaving you with the correct dryer load.

TheyWentToSeaInASieve · 05/10/2021 11:54

@Magnoliamarigold
We have the one you linked to; it's amazing. We have had many over the years (Bosch, John Lewis and a cheap Zanussi) -- all broke and stopped drying within a few months. I was pushing for separate machines too, but we have no space.

So we decided to try an LG and I have started washing with descaling tablets (London water) and it's still working beautifully a year and half later.

gowonfan42069 · 05/10/2021 11:55

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

JumperandJacket · 05/10/2021 11:55

YOur DH is right. If I couldn't have separate machines, I'd have a washer and a heated airer.

TurquoiseDragon · 05/10/2021 11:56

@HowDareYouStealThatCar

The only time I would ever advise a washer-dryer is if you have to choose between a tumble dryer and a dishwasher. I live in a flat and so have a washer-dryer but I only use it in an emergency (e.g. need to wash and dry bedsheets in one day).
I'd choose a dishwasher over a tumble dryer any day.

I'm on the DH's side here. Washer dryers are rubbish.

I don't use dryers anyway, haven't done so for around 15 years. They are bad for the environment and practically eat electricity.

I hang washing outside, or use a rack. The trick to this is having a washer with a high spin speed.

WeAllHaveWings · 05/10/2021 11:56

I've had 3 washer dryers (Zanussi, AEG and cant remember the make of the first one) all broke to the point they were not worth repairing after 2-3 years. The dryer function was rarely used as it was so poor, absolutely no use for a full load of towels or bedding.

I have had 2 separate driers. One I had for 10 years, it was working with no problems but I stupidly replaced for a washer/dryer to save space. When it broke I went back to separates.

The drying performance between combined dryer and a separate dryer is night and day. I wouldn't get a combined dryer again.

Seriallover · 05/10/2021 11:59

Yep your Dh is right

NotSorry · 05/10/2021 12:01

My husband is a kitchen designer and would advise against it - we had one once - they are shit

motherofawhirlwind · 05/10/2021 12:01

We have 2x washer dryer and love them. I don't do massive loads for drying (just do underwear and towels / bedding) and don't dry clothes in there anyway. They manage to dry king sized bedsets OK. I tend to do loads fr drying overnight and drape anything still a little damp over the bannisters for a couple of hours.

Horst · 05/10/2021 12:02

We had one in our old house as we didn’t have space for both. Omg it was terrible. I mean if you don’t mind putting a wash on first thing and preying for it to be dry at bedtime then sure go for it. Also constantly breaking down and ours wasn’t cheap either it came from John Lewis around £800. Was glad to see the back of it when we moved.

revampneeded · 05/10/2021 12:02

Yeah, even a top end Miele washer dryer isn't that effective

olidora63 · 05/10/2021 12:03

Yep.Washerdryer are expensive rubbish!

HeronLanyon · 05/10/2021 12:05

DH is right. I have a washer dryer. It’s really pretty pointless and excessively greedy if electricity whilst not doing its job. Never use dryer function other than last week by mistake and had a load of shrunken damp things. Damn.

Hawkins001 · 05/10/2021 12:06

Washer dryers are tricky, in the sense that if they breakdown then both sides are out of action. However having a separate washer and dryer facilities both washing loads then drying the load just been washed ect.

Personally I prefer the clothes horses and washing lines where applicable.

RuthW · 05/10/2021 12:06

Your dh is correct

Doublechins · 05/10/2021 12:06

I agree with your DH

burritofan · 05/10/2021 12:07

If space-saving is your goal just wash things down at the river and beat them on the line. Otherwise, your DH is correct.

BungleandGeorge · 05/10/2021 12:08

Yes used both, separates are far superior. Washer dryer only useful if it’s the only option

334bu · 05/10/2021 12:09

I'm with your husband. If you have the room, separate washing and drying machines.

GreenMeeple · 05/10/2021 12:10

Love my washer dryer, the one I have now is my second one (Had the first one in a rental). Had the first one for 4 years without any issue. Then we moved I we bought this one last year.

They are probable not great for large families but for a family of three they are fine.

I probable do about 4 or 5 loads of washing each week. 3 of those need a dry cycle. A wash and dry cycle takes just over 3 hours, I never check the load weight or half the load for drying. On a rare occasion a few sheets might have been a bit damp because I probable overloaded, but 20min spread out over the bed and they are dry.

Ours is a LG and cost around £800.

We live in a two bed flat with no option to air-dry outside and no real space for both a dryer and washing machine unless we get rid of the dishwasher. I'm not going to waste time hand washing my dishes for those few occasions I needed air-dry a sheet for a few minutes.