Washer driers - anyone a good word to say

I have one due to lack of space in my kitchen. It doesn't have the same capacity as separate washing machines and tumble dryers. However it's 7 years old and hasn't caused any issues so far. There is only me to consider though

Mine is brilliant, it both washes and dries very well, and it’s never had a problem. It’s a Bosch Serie 4. I don’t know if they still make them, mine was bought during lockdown so it’s nearly 6 years old now.

Like grandmavbatty said, the don't hold as much if you want to do a wash/dry cycle in one. I had 2 over the years because of having small kitchens at the time. It was great to put the wash on a timer to come on during the old economy 7 night rate and wake to a dry load. Although putting electricals on overnight is now not recommended. Mine were both indesit and each lasted well over 10 years. They were a godsend during the winter.

machines that are dual and part breaks both have to be hauled to shop ie tv that plays dvd tv breaks cant use the dvd player etc

We're very happy with ours. Living in a flat I don't know how we'd manage otherwise. It's now 13 years old and still working fine.

I don’t have a washer/drier but yesterday I had a new washer delivered.

When in the shop purchasing it we noticed there weren’t many driers on display and commented on this to the friendly man who delivered it. He said not many people buy them these days as the drier tends to go before the washer.

We've had combo ones all our married life (45 years), and they have been great. In our first house there wasn't space for separate machines, and after that we were used to the convenience of being able to put a load in in the morning and come back from work to find it dry. I think the ideal would be to have a combi and a separate dryer, as the downsides are that the dryer in the combi is smaller than a separate one, and obviously you can't be washing another load if the dryer is being used. That is not an issue now it's just the two of us, but would have been handy when there was a house full.

We also use Bosch, and have found them very reliable.

They are probably the answer if there's not enough space for two machines, but there are disadvantages; the main one being that a full wash load normally has to be taken out, sorted and reduced to then allow the drier to do the job of properly drying and in a reasonable time. Extra effort for those thinking that dirty clothes to dry clean clothes 'in one easy programme' can be achieved in a reasonable time. However, if there's space, a washing machine and separate drier can be used independently or at the same time and get through the laundry much more quickly. For families used to small loads and perhaps more frequent use of a washer/dryer one combined machine would work well. So, horses for courses, I think, OP.

Can you just put them on dryer setting or do they just automatically dry after a wash? I’ve always had a separate washer and dryer.

In my experience they do neither job well

My son was desperate for a washer/dryer for the flat he lives in. I did a lot of research and found Samsung seemed reasonably priced and had good reviews,
He has been very happy with it, it can be used just as a washer which he wants for sports gear.

MayBee70

Can you just put them on dryer setting or do they just automatically dry after a wash? I’ve always had a separate washer and dryer.

You can do either. If you want to wash a full load, you can, and if you want to just wash or just dry you can do that, as well as being able to put in a load and wash and dry it. If you do that, you just put in slightly less as the drying capacity is smaller than the washing one. There is no need to sort half way through the cycle unless you want to.

The only downsides I've found are the ones I said above. They wash and dry perfectly well - we've always been happy with them.

Sago

In my experience they do neither job well

Just this.

I probably shouldn’t tempt fate by saying this, but we’ve had one in our rental flat for over 10 years now. There was a problem with very noisy spinning a while ago, but an engineer fixed it.

My engineer says they take ages to dry.
If you have space I would definitely go for separate heat pump dryer, Bosch 6. You are snookered if W/D breaks down.

Mine washes 8kg, and dries 5kg, which suits me. I don’t dry anything like sports tops, or items with elastic or elastane in the dryer anyway, so it meets my needs. I wash the towels separately, and just put 5kg in, and do the full wash/dry cycle. I do have room for a washer and dryer, but having one machine meant I could have a worktop for sorting, and allows me to fit my dog’s crate where it doesn’t get in the way!

I have a Haier which is fine.
I only use the dryer bit for towels and sheets in the winter.
Mine can run a short cycle so I can have my coverless duvet washed and dried in about 2 hours.
Combined machines don't last as long as single ones as they are doing more work.

I'd prefer separate machines but don't have space.

My son had a Bosch washer/dryer, it washed fine, but the dryer was dreadful. Everything came out creased to death and it took an age to dry anything (and yes he did halve the wash before drying, so there was lots of room for the clothes to tumble, made no difference!). Maybe other makes/models are better, but his was awful.

We've always had washer/dryers. Only on 3rd in 40+ years. However, we don't use dryer much, as dry outside when weather permits and have pulley line in kitchen, used in winter. Current one is Miele- washes fine. I think it would take quite long to dry a full load - I usually only put in a few items.

I have o e due to lack of space I don't use it all the time but it comes in handy when I need something in a hurry

I have one - it’s great on these wet days - clothes come out as you dry as you want it - iron ready (slightly damp) , bone dry (wardrobe-ready) or ready to hang out on the line

Mine is an Indesit, cheap and cheerful

These are good for quicker drying and less creases. Wool dryer balls

www.amazon.co.uk/Eco-Friendly-Softener-Wrinkles-Reusable-Unscented/dp/B0C37H85BJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1JYE9MJWQNW8R&keywords=woolen%2Bdryer%2Bballs%2Buk&sprefix=Woolen%2Bdr%2Caps%2C123&th=1&dib_tag=se&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&tag=gransnetforum-21&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zcLJ9SipmrA4KQCMhe9A4r7zxXgdZPQgxxjVN8ZHN0huRgAS2gmI6l2SsoshofCgoNq7BsujU5p-Tdf2O3pdmP5fg4yB0idPanKJMGXs91uPgrhZqvZsCX4XAWFV2gzQlUswkfrHzlW1QyJpStSaO8BlbBEaNFv6vHG1C6DhxtXATEN3VFsQDklrDm01AKCylFcWRfm1gVIz5tP-PHhFOlrdw6w63PWE820GNx2HXkots1oQ8BfOGNicHBXi203tGx6j3YRX5_ckrzVY3Qd3bkw5NR7mX16zivFL0mGoHak.6iFhlhSJ5MirGo5HZ2Y8MWImhb-Qb2W8BWI__2qJ1FI&qid=1770151558&sr=8-2-spons&aref=PyTSP0X7Pp

Many thanks. Lots of food for thought here