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Being able to enjoy soft and dry laundry in the comfort of your home without spending time at the local laundromat is an indisputable advantage brought by dryers. However, not everyone can afford this appliance, and often do not have enough space for another machine in addition to the washing machine. In these cases, it would be practical to purchase a combined washer/dryer machine. As you read on, we will explain how they work, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. We hope that this information will be helpful in choosing whether or not this appliance will work the best for your home.
Why is it a Good Idea to Have a Dryer?
Options such as air drying, especially in winter, or indoors isn’t great. Drying laundry indoors is not only impractical and takes up space, but it also affects the air quality in your home. In addition, freshly washed laundry absorbs odors, while losing the initial freshness it had when it came out of the washer. The same thing happens when you dry your laundry outdoors, in the yard, or on the balcony. The outside air can be polluted with particles of soot, smoke, etc., which is especially present in the autumn period. In winter it's often not possible to dry clothes outside due to low temperatures. Machine drying can is easier and not time consuming. If the following apply to you, then it may be time to consider getting a dryer:
- You want soft and fragrant laundry soon after washing
- You have a large family or large amounts of laundry to wash and dry
- You don't have enough space to dry your laundry
- You want to save time and reduce household chores
Unpleasant smells, long waits in winter, and extra work around spreading and collecting laundry are just some of the things you can avoid by choosing the right device. Before you decide on whether having a combined washer/dryer would be best for your home, let us go over the advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
It is often heard that having a combined washer and dryer is not an ideal option, but sometimes it really is the best choice in certain situations. Here are some reasons in favor of choosing this type of appliance:
- Takes up less space
A combined washing machine that washes and dries the laundry in one drum is an ideal option when there is a lack of space in the home. Simply, the option to wash and dry laundry in one device that looks almost the same and takes up the same space as a washing machine is often irresistible for owners of small apartments or small laundry rooms. With this appliance, your laundry room can remain tidy and not take up too much space. Even if you have a larger laundry room you may still choose to have a combined washer and dryer to make the most of your space.
If the area is tight, some models have a smaller depth than the standard one, so they belong to the so-called slim models of the combined washing machine for additional space saving.
- It will reduce your laundry duties
In addition to saving space, a combined washing machine also saves time. All that's required is to put the laundry in the drum and set the appropriate settings and it will come out clean, fragrant, and dry. Of course, this depends on the type of fabric you wash, as well as the program you choose. Combo machines usually have several levels of drying clothes, and some models also have options such as crease reduction and similar that will make it easier for you to take care of your laundry and reduce your involvement to a minimum. One of the advantages of a combo washer/dryer machine is that you won't have to worry about moving the washed laundry into the dryer. When you turn on the machine, you can focus on other activities, and when the cycle is over, you only need to fold the laundry and put them away.
- It can be used separately
In addition to the complete cycle of combined machines that includes both washing and drying, you can use this appliance for both washing and drying only. If you don't want to dry your laundry in the machine every time, you don't have to. Simply set the cycle to include only washing and dry the washed laundry as it suits you best. Also, you can put in washed laundry and only turn on the drying cycle.
- It generally has a more reasonable price
The price of combined washing machines is generally lower than buying separate appliances for washing and drying clothes. Of course, this depends on the model you choose, the number and type of programs, drum capacity, operating technology, energy class, and other characteristics that affect the price of these appliances.
Disadvantages
Despite the advantages listed above, there can be some compromises when fitting two appliances into one.
- The difference in capacity
Perhaps the biggest complaint with combined washing machines is that, as both processes are carried out in the same drum, and drying requires a little more space, these devices cannot dry the same amount of laundry that they can wash.
That's why two capacities are listed on the machines, the larger of which shows how much laundry the machine can wash, while the smaller capacity refers to drying laundry. For example, if you wash 15 lbs of laundry, you can dry only 10 lbs. This is solved by dividing the washed laundry into two parts and drying them separately, by manually removing the laundry after washing and drying it in two cycles. If you want to set both washing and drying at the same time and are unable to divide the laundry when it comes to drying, put the amount of laundry that corresponds to the drying capacity.
In order to avoid unnecessary energy consumption, you can choose some of the models that have a special sensor that detects the amount of laundry in the drum and adjusts the consumption of resources (energy, water, and the duration of the washing cycle).
- If your combined washer/dryer has a technical issue, you won’t be able to do laundry
One of the downsides of these appliances is that in case of a hazard, you are left without a washing machine and a dryer. This appliance only has one motor that runs longer during the cycle compared to the motors of separate washing and drying machines. The lifespan of these appliances is shorter than a machine with only one function. Of course, the comparison refers to the appliances used according to the instructions and doesn't include unforeseen circumstances such as sudden failures or hazards due to inadequate use.
Combo washers/dryers with an inverter motor are an excellent option if you are concerned about the durability and longevity of the device. An inverter motor is a motor without brushes and belts. It starts and stops, is more durable, produces less noise, and is more economical when it comes to energy consumption.
- Duration of the washing and drying cycle
How long the washing machine cycle lasts depends on the model of the machine, the selected programs, and the amount of laundry. It can last from 2-3 hours to more than 6 hours. While this may sound really long, it's actually expected. The overall washing cycle and drying cycle in separate machines usually take a little less time, although this is not a rule either. Even in the best weather, the laundry can hardly be dry in 2-3 hours, if you decide to air dry your laundry. This isn't really a drawback, but it's definitely something you should prepare for so there are no surprises. Certain models have fast programs that significantly shorten the washing time, and sometimes the drying time. What is important to note is that you always follow the instructions, because shorter programs are generally not intended to be used at full drum capacity.
As we tried to explain both sides of this 2-in-1 appliance, we hope that you are now closer to deciding on whether a combined washing machine is the right choice for your home.
Do Combined Washing Machines Use a Lot of Electricity?
Power consumption varies from model to model and depends on many factors. As it's certainly recommended that when buying appliances you choose the more energy efficient ones, you must pay attention to the energy efficiency class. It’s also important to know the energy label, because it contains data on the amount of water and energy that a particular model consumes during operation. Machines with a higher energy class consume less energy compared to those that are not so highly rated.
Do Combined Washing Machines Destroy Fabric?
If you are worried about what the combined washing machine will do to your wardrobe, there’s no need to worry. It's important to choose the appropriate programs in relation to the type of fabric, as well as to follow the instructions for both the use of the machine and the maintenance guidelines for your wardrobe.
Do Combined Washing Machines Wrinkle Clothes?
Not necessarily. Again, it depends on the material and the program you choose, not only when drying, but also when washing. A higher number of spins means better-squeezed laundry, but also more wrinkled fabric. There are also some programs that make ironing easier. For clothes that need to be ironed, choose the drying level that suits that purpose.
Find a Model of a Combined Washing Machine That Fit Your Needs
If you want to avoid air drying your laundry and save time, a dryer is an excellent solution. With great options and technologies implemented in combo washer/dryers, there is no reason not to enjoy all the benefits of machine-dried soft laundry due to a lack of space. Remember that if you do choose to air dry in small spaces, it can raise the humidity of the air indoors, causing other problems.
Combo washer/dryers are an excellent solution that will save you space and time, so your favorite piece of clothing can be ready to wear whenever you need it. With Town Appliance being the biggest retailer in the tri-state area, we can offer you a huge variety of combo washer/dryers for any budget, available at Town Appliance.
