Is a washer/dryer worth having?

I've had a W/D all my married life (not the same one!) and I wouldn't have been without one.

They absolutely do do both jobs well - the only place they fall down is if you want to do a wash/dry cycle with a full wash load, as they don't dry as many clothes in one load as a designated drier.

As you can't do that with separates, it's not really comparing like with like to complain that a W/D is not so good at that. I love being able to put a load in, go about my day and come back to a dry load of washing, rather than have a wet load that I have to dry at the end of the day. This was such a boon when I was out at work all day, but less of an asset now that we are stuck indoors, of course .

I have always had Bosch or Seimens models, and they have all lasted for years, including the one that saw me through two children from birth to about 15.

If you have space for it, and enough washing to make it necessary, a W/D and a separate drier would give you the best of both worlds, as you could be drying one load whilst washing the next.

I got my first one as a wedding present, and chose it because the kitchen in our first house was small, so it saved space. We have had three houses since then, all of which could easily have taken separates, but I stuck with the W/D arrangement, as they are so convenient.

I've got a couple of airers, but no shed, as I'm in a flat.

I currently have washing hanging here there and everywhere!

One of the places I work has a condenser dryer, and it's lovely.
Dries the clothes beautifully, and the water collects in a pull out tray at the front. (I suspect it was very expensive) but it has got me thinking.

Airer , not airier

No - if you really must have a drier, do get a separate small one, not a washer/drier. They are also quite expensive to run. An ordinary concertina airier which you can place in any room with windows open, will do the job, just as well.

I have one of the heated dryer racks which costs very little to run. Small things like socks and undies dry quite quickly and sheets, duvet covers and towels dry overnight. It folds flat when not in use. I've had it for about 4 years now and I wouldn't be without it.

Oops sorry didn’t see your latest postMissA

You have to take half of the washing out and then dry them in stages, DD1 had one and it never worked properly, if one bit didn’t work she couldn’t use the other part. She wouldn’t have another one.

That's what I have always thought, sparkle, and have also been told that they don't dry a full washload, too.

Yes, that's another consideration; the thought of ending up with no washer or dryer if it packs up.

I'm just struggling to keep up with the sheer volume of washing every day - it's really getting me down.

No! They don't tumble dry properly at all.

No! They do neither job properly!!

MissAdventure I have thought many times about buying one when a washing machine has needed replacing but put off when told if the motor gives up you loose both the washer and the dryer so have always had a small dryer in the shed for when I can't line dry my washing.