to buy a washer/dryer

[Floating101]

I live in a small flat, no room to have a separate dryer so thinking of getting a washer/dryer combo to save me constantly having airers all over the place. Does anyone have one - are you happy with it? Are they really expensive to run?
Thanks for any advice

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MNHQ

I've got one but the washing always smells fusty after drying?? I just put it on an extra spin and use the airers

Noooooooooooo! Don't do it OP!

We had a decent Samsung one earlier this year. I kid you not, it took so long to dry anything. 3+ hours easily for a full load which cost a fortune, and it still came out damp!

We were only in a temp flat whilst waiting for some works to be carried out on our house, so we paid to have our dryer moved over - and even with moving costs there and back, it worked out seriously cheaper.

They're crap. Give it a double spin and aiders. They just produce hot damp washing.

I've got one, never use the dryer bit. I had a dream of whacking the kids uniforms in there in the evening, and having fresh clean stuff each morning, but it doesn't work.

It can't dry as much as it can wash, so you're always putting in half a load, or having to muck about taking some out

It absolutely bakes the hell out of stuff - like an 80s dryer, and because of the small drum size because it's a washer and a dryer, that means it bakes in the creases - it even bleached some stuff I had on those creases somehow.

I'd get a washer with a decent spin instead, so that it doesn't need much drying when it gets out anyway. That's what I do - give everything an extra spin so it needs basically no drying.

When I lived somewhere tiny, I stacked (in this case a mini dishwasher on the washing machine, but in another flat it was a tumble dryer) - is there anywhere you could put it to stack instead?

I’ve had one for over 10 years and I love it. But I never use it to dry whole loads so I’ve still got an airer.

I always use it to dry towels and clothes made from sweatshirting, as they get so stiff from the hard water. Occasionally do other things if I need them fast.

The only problem I’ve had is when a relative was staying and refused to believe me when I said it’s not a tumble dryer it’s a washing machine that can dry a few things. She kept loading it up and putting it in for a couple of hours and sure enough it stopped working.

Not sure how much it is to run.

They smell weird and don't dry properly. Can you buy a cabinet to support a dryer on top of the washer?

Don't do it!

I had one some years ago and never again. As a dryer it was useless and noisy. Took forever. As a washing machine it was OK but separate machines are far better. The dryer part of mine was always breaking down so after about 18 months I stopped getting it repaired and just used it as a washing machine.

I had mine when we too lived in a small flat with room for only one machine. I thought at the time that it would be the ideal solution but I soon resorted to just using the clothes horse.

I have a washer dryer with a decent spin speed 1600 rpm.

Some things. You are presumably not a big family, so the reduced capacity on drying will not hurt as much. Other is if you don't have access to a balcony for clothes drying how else will you get stuff dry.

I find that the dryer component is OK but I don't use it that much -only in emergencies. At the end of the day if you buy a washer dryer and the dryer is no good then you can always get a drying rack and dehumidifier later to supplement it.

But if you go for a washer only from the start you don't have the option of adding the dryer later without replacing the whole thing.

I would probably go for the washer dryer with a view that if it doesn't handle all the drying a dehumidifier might need to be added later.

Bear in mind the advice you get is from loads of people in loads of different situations. The advice to a single person with their drying requirements is different to a family of 6.

Rubbish. I got rid of mine and use a heated dryer from Lakeland.

I've got one and use the dyer a couple of times a week, it does take a couple of hours to dry a full load but its not expensive to run, I'm happy with it.

We have a washer dryer and it’s excellent, would recommend the Bosch Serie 6

I really like mine. I don’t use it for all washing but bedding/towels, undies and work/school uniforms etc. I can’t open the door of mine mid cycle like with a standalone dryer, which is a bit of a pain, but I do find it really handy.

I will mention that my washing machine is still the washer/dryer that refuses to die - it's nearly 10 years old, needs a thump to settle on a program, but is a totally fine washer.. it's just the drying bit that I don't use.

I absolutely hate mine. Dryer mangles the clothes, makes them stink, and the next 2-3 washes are always coated in dryer fluff (even after manually cleaning the rubber bits). It's also the worst washer I've ever had, clothes come out with suspicious dry patches on them and are very wrinkled. It was meant to be a low decibel model but sounds lke a plane taking off when it's on the spin cycle. This is an LG.

I've got a Bosch and it's brilliant.

You must remember that you have to take half of the washing out and dry it in two stages. It won't be able to dry a whole load in one go.

Also, don't dry different fabrics together - some will dry quickly but the towels etc take longer.

It's just a question of getting used to it. I wouldn't be without mine.

I also live in a small flat.

When I first moved in there was a combined washer/drier, and honestly, the drier function was hopeless. Seemed to take an age, and even then, still came out damp. When that machine died, I got just a washer to replace it.

I've found that if you do a spin and drain cycle at the end of your wash (if you have one), it speeds up the air drying time quite a lot.

I have one (small flat)
Only use it for our pants/ socks loads and towels and duvet cover as it sort of steams it before drying - I wouldn't use it for anything delicate. Everything else I hang out. It takes a long time and can't cope with heavy loads but better than nothing.

Oh and mine doesn't smell weird, everything comes out smelling lovely

I've got an LG one, it's really good, works out itself how long to dry for. I don't use it for all loads.

My mum has combined one and it's great for her

Thanks so much everyone for all the replies- a lot to think about! No room to stack unfortunately. Just 2 of us, no kids. Just sick of endless washing drying on airers - just when one lot is dry, it’s time to wash another load. I might go for a more decent washing machine that spins better then. Or maybe a combo one and just use dryer for towels - decisions!

Don't do it they're all awful for drying.

IME, they smell, can’t dry the same load and take ages.
Echoing what others have said, double spin cycle would be a good idea.

I rented a flat with a washer dryer and I miss it!! When I got home late from work I loved putting my washing in and having it clean and dry for morning shift. Then again that was just for me and my bills were included, so I never did a full load. It seems like a better investment to get a good washing machine that spins well

Hate mine but useful to dry in the winter, if you don't have space for separate machines.
The dryer costs a lot and everything comes out very creased.