Talk to me about washer dryers please!

[Notcontent]

I am thinking of getting a combined washer dryer but want some honest advice about them.

I don’t have a dryer at the moment as I prefer to air dry my clothes but I would like to be able to use a dryer for sheets and towels occasionally. I don’t mind getting an expensive model so long as it’s reliable.

Thanks in advance.

---

This thread is quite old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you’ve landed here looking for washer dryer recommendations, we’ve recently updated our best washer dryer page with lots of great options, as tried and tested by Mumsnet users. We hope you find it useful.

MNHQ

I know you have decided not to OP but I'm so annoyed at my long gone washer/dryer I need to join in the rant . Put it on and even after 90 minutes all your laundry would be a hot, steaming soggy pile. But if you forgot about it 10 minutes later the knicker elastic would be shrivelled and socks for an adult would now fit a newborn!

Separates if you have the room. I had a Zanussi washer dryer when I had my first home more than 20 years ago. It was ace. Lasted around 10 years. Replaced it with similar model but it wasn’t good. Then swapped it for a hot point washer dryer. Even worse. Now I have separates, Miele dryer and machine. Yes slightly more expensive to buy but the dryer is fab. I would recommend every time. I ditched my dishwasher for the separate dryer ( space wise)

It's all very well saying don't do it and to get separate ones. However, those of us living in small houses or flats, have a choice of either a washer dryer, drying on airers steaming up the house, or visiting the local launderette.

My washer dryers have been good in the past. But then again I have always done my research as there are some really bad ones as well,as good ones. My current one, an AEG was also good until the dryer stopped working a few months ago. I aim to get a different washer dryer when I can justify it, as the washing machine part still works okay.

We have a miele and it's been going strong for 10 years now. Things come out dry and soft and without shrinking! It did cost a bomb though but we've been short of space in both our houses and, especially when we had a baby, it was an absolute godsend!

I think if things come out hot and wet, it can be a problem with the pipes and sometimes can be solved by a deep clean of the machine .

I've never had space for a separate dryer, I'm sure they're better. But compared to only having a washing machine I love my washer dryer. I rarely use it to completely dry a load (it takes forever) but I very often dry things for 30min-an hour, it makes everything softer and cuts down time that things are hanging on the airer. It also has a 45min ready to wear setting which has saved the day a couple of times!

We have a zanussi washer dryer, house is a new build and it came already built in. I never use the dryer function..I did a couple of times when we first moved in, novelty as we've never had a dryer before..I found that it made clothes smell awful even using those scented sheet things. When the washer dryer dies I'll replace it with just a washer.

Years ago we used to have a guy come into work (financial institution) who repaired white goods. He advised us to not touch a washer dryer with a barge pole. It seems nothing has changed.

My washing machine by the way is a AEG which I got in 2009 still going strong and the previous AEG lasted 10 years. My 1st washing machine was a Bendix Electrolux and lasted 14 years. When we moved house to a new build we were offered a washer/dryer but declined and brought our own washing machine and dryer.

Our washer-dryer was in a new build so it wasn’t a problem with the pipes. I got a repairman our to fix it and he started having a go at me for being so stupid as to expect it to actually dry anything.
Washers can be stacked on top of dryers. I’d take a kitchen work surface apart if I needed to.

Yeah, just don't. The dryer gets extremely hot, can only dry about a 1/3 of the load at a time to dry within a decent time, so then in that time frame you can't wash anything. Once and never again. As some else said you can stack a dryer on top with a bracket if space allows or you can buy a mini dryer, about half the size, which you can stash away somewhere, they are fantastic

I like mine (AEG, 6 years old) but I’ve never expected it to fully dry things. Most things I hang inside on an airer (with dehumidifier nearby) or outside weather permitting. But for sheets and towels 45-60 mins drying after the wash cycle makes them nice and soft and speeds up the drying.

I have limited space and no radiators so went for a washer dryer and I love mine! It’s been going strong for 6 years now. Candy model.

I only halve the load if I’ve washed a lot of towels together as it does take ages to dry lots together.

The one I’ve got has different sensor settings so you can dry to different levels. It’s also got a 50 minute wash and dry cycle which is handy for uniforms.
Hasn’t shrunk anything that shouldn’t have been in there in the first place!
I’ll be replacing mine like for like when it goes.

I've got an indesit washer dryer and like it for what I use it for. It's not great if you want to completely dry stuff but I tend to start stuff off in the dryer and then move to the airer this cuts the drying time down, I only dry things completely in an emergency and that's not frequent enough to warrant a separate dryer.

We have a beko one, wouldn't have been first choice but we don't have space for separates.

The washers is 9kg but the tumble drier is only 4kg. I only use it for the kids small clothes or bedsheets. A drying cycle takes about 3 hours
..sometimes longer depending on the load.

If you have the option, get separate. If not, it's better than nothing

Disagree that they're rubbish. They do take longer to dry clothes than a separate dryer but we've not got room for both. We've used one for the past 15 years and the first one lasted 12 years. We've got a large capacity John Lewis one now and I'm happy with it. Big enough to dry a set of king size bedding or 3 bath sheets.

Absolutely crap. I have one, 3 hours to dry a 6kg wash, extra dry setting and some of it was still damp. My clothes dry quicker overnight on a clothes horse with the dehumidifier switched on.

I have separate but would suggest investing in a £100+ dehumidifier, mine was from Aldi. Perfect in a small bedroom or utility room. I hang my washing on racks over the bannisters and it quietly whirrs everything dry. Stops condensation and mould on windows and drums the air, house feels warmer. Far more economical than a tumble dryer and easier on your clothes. Only use my tumble for down jackets.

I used to have one, not by choice, it was in a rented property. I absolutely hated it. Clothes never fully dried and made them smell damp

Useless worst purchase ever

Absolutely love mine, ok it's not fast but I never do more than 1 load a day so doesn't matter, has a very effective sensor dry and leaves my bedding and towels soft and fluffy.

If your washing is coming out hot and wet from the drying cycle then your condenser probably needs cleaning