Washer dryer suggestions

[ToddlersAreBananas]

I'd like to buy an integrated washer dryer. I've only ever had seperate machines, but it makes sense to combine them into one. Have you got a washer dryer, which one is it, and would you recommend it?
Thanks x

My advice would be don't. Have separate machines.

I once had a washer dryer (Bosch, so would have thought it would have been OK). I bought it due to lack or space. Disaster. It didn't last 18 months before the dryer totally failed and it became just a washing machine. I said then that I wouldn't have another one and 30 years and two house moves later I haven't.

I know a few people who have had washer dryers of various brands and none have had a good experience.

Exactly what I was going to say. Don’t do it.
After downsizing we had a washer dryer fitted as part of our new kitchen. Great as a washer but useless as a dryer. After being on ages towels are warm but still wet.
We ended up getting a dehumidifier to dry washing inside and a dryer in the shed.

I’ll third the don’t do it if you have any other option. They’re terrible and don’t wash or dry well.

Fourth to agree! You'll be so disappointed if you go ahead.

Yikes, this was not what I was hoping for! So I currently don't have a dishwasher, and I was going to put the dishwasher where the tumble dryer currently is...

My tumble dryer is an old vented one - but I'm thinking I'll get a condenser one. Are condenser tumble dryers as bad as my auntie says they are?

Condenser dryers are really good imo. Just as good as vented imo though it will vary by model. I love mine. They are being phased out over the next few years though in favour of heat pump dryers which take longer. But I’m sticking with my condenser for as long as possible.

I've had all 3 types of dryers, and I'm perfectly happy with my heat pump. Yes it takes a bit longer, but I can dry virtually everything in it due to the lower running temperature. It costs so little to run a load too as they are much more efficient than the others.

A condenser is fine if that's what you go for, just more expensive per load and runs at a higher temperature like vented. I had one for years. If you can, hook up the drainage tube so you don't have to empty the tank, although it's not particularly difficult.

Also most importantly, keep the condenser clean. People usually have trouble with their dryer because they don't clean the condenser, it gets full of lint, which eventually causes the machine to fail. On my old one you could just pull it out and wash the lint out under the tap, which I usually did monthly. (Not to be confused with the normal lint trap in the door which should be cleared every cycle.)

I’ve lived with 2 and found them fine 🤷‍♀️ But I’m comparing them to not having a dryer at all.

The current one is Siemens and takes 2 and a half hours to dry a load.

Just follow the instructions and don’t expect them to take the same amount of time as a dedicated dryer and you’ll be ok.

Mine might say 2.5hrs when you start a cycle, but after a while it will adjust the time as it senses the level of dryness. It entirely depends on your load.

I have a Willow washer dryer and have had no problems with it at all.

I only use it for drying in the winter months and regularly do a fluff removal cycle.

It has an auto setting so senses when the clothes are dry and I dry 1 8kg load of washing in 2 seperate loads so its not particularly time saving (around 60mins per load) but much better than having damp. laundry hanging round the house constantly.

We have a Bosch one and it is great. Like first few posters the dryer got worse and pretty much stopped working after 18 months taking longer and longer then even a mfter hours it still being damp.

However, we found it just needed some maintenance. After opening it up and de-fluffing the inside of it, it went back to working like new and is fantastic again, now into third year or having it.

Have never had a separate dryer though so experience is comparing to not having a dryer at all.

Condenser dryers are fine. I've had them for years. Bosch ones are good, or have been for me.

I would stick with separate machines if you possibly can, as others have said. We had a washer dryer once and the drying took ages and never felt properly dry, even on a small load. If space really forces you into one, I would wash smaller loads and expect the drying cycle to take much longer than a separate dryer.

We have a Zanussi, had it for six years and no issues.
I don’t dry everything in it, mainly towels and bedding in the winter. I half the wash load and each drier load talked about an hour.

Also have a dehumidifier in the spare room and hang clothes in there to dry.

ETA I don’t do a continuous wash then dry cycle as the laundry needs removing from the machine as stuck to the drum after the spin cycle.

I've had one. I used the dryer a handful of times as it took in the region of four hours to dry a smallish wash. So it became a washing machine only and was fine but rather defeats the option.

I have a dehumidifier now. Dry clothes in the bedroom on an airer. Takes up quite a bit of space when it's up but I don't really use the bedroom in the day time and it's dry by the evening.

Maybe a heated area might be worth considering too.