Positive washer-dryer experiences
For some people, a washer-dryer is ideal. For many consumers, the advantage of the non-stop function is that you can wash and dry all their laundry in one go. This not only saves you a lot of work, but also a lot of time. In the morning you put all your laundry in the machine and when you come home in the evening it’s all washed and dried. However, you should be aware that not every washer/dryer combination has the option of a non stop program, and not every program can run non-stop. Often only the cotton program can use this feature.
Saving space
Another positive experience that many people mention is that you can save a lot of space with a washer-dryer. Two separate appliances obviously take up a lot more space than one single appliance, leaving you with space to spare.
This is especially useful if you don’t have a lot of room and still like to be able to wash and dry.
Connections
When you have two separate appliances, you also need twice as many connections. Both the washer and the dryer need to be connected to a power supply, and on top of that, for a dryer you also often need a drain hose to the outside to drain the water.
With a washer-dryer combo, you only need one power supply and the water drains into a catch basin, so you also don’t have to worry about a drain hose that can go outside.
Negative washer-dryer experiences
Of course, there are also consumers who have purchased a washer-dryer and have negative experiences afterwards. Below is a summary of the negative features that are most frequently mentioned:
The maximum fill weight for washing is greater than for drying
When buying a washer-dryer, you should always consider that you can wash more laundry than you can dry. For example, the maximum load for washing can be 8kg and for drying only 5kg. This means that you will always have to dry part of your laundry in a different way.
You can choose to dry part of it on a rack, or you can run an extra drying programme on the washer-dryer. It is also possible to wash only 5kg of laundry to dry it all, but then you are not using the full capacity, which wastes a lot of water and electricity.
A separate washer and dryer is more energy efficient
Wash-dryers are not known for being very energy efficient. Most models have an energy label C or D, because the process of drying uses a lot of energy.
In some cases, this means it may be cheaper to buy a separate washer and dryer. A stand-alone washing machine with energy label A and a dryer with a heat pump can be hundreds of euros cheaper than a washer and dryer.
When buying, always consider how often you will use the washer and dryer and what energy costs will be associated with it. If you do not use the drying function very often, for example only for bedding and towels, a combined washer and dryer may be more economical.
Not as clean and dry
Some consumers mention in their experiences that the quality of washing and drying is not the same as with a separate washer and dryer. The washing is generally considered fine, but the drying sometimes leaves much to be desired.
According to these experiences, a wash-dry combination should be seen as a compromise. You can enjoy the benefits, but you have to accept that certain features don’t work as well.
Please note that some of these consumers may put more laundry in the drum than the maximum fill weight can handle. This means there is not enough room for the hot air to pass through the drum and not completely dry the laundry.
No lint filter
A normal dryer has a lint filter that traps all the dust from your laundry as it dries. A washer-dryer does not have a filter, so all the lint gets caught in the rubber between the door and the drum. You have to remove it by hand, otherwise it risks being washed away with the next wash. This is a small effort, but if you forget it can have serious consequences.
You can’t wash and dry at the same time
Even if you have a large household it is nice to be able to wash and dry at the same time. Once your first load is washed, you put it in the dryer and then put another load in your washing machine. If you have a washer and dryer, it will take you about 1.5 hours to wash and at most another 2 hours to dry your laundry. A combined washer and dryer will take much longer. On average, a single program takes about 4 hours, but if you want to wash and dry nonstop, it can take up to 10 hours.
When to buy a separate washer and dryer
Whether to buy a washer, dryer, or washer-dryer combination depends on your laundry needs. Two separate units are a better choice if you have a lot of laundry and want to dry more than 5kg.
Also if you are looking for an energy efficient option, in some cases it is better to get a separate washer and dryer with heat pump. These two separate appliances together use less energy than a single washer-dryer.
If, on the other hand, you value saving space more, a washer-dryer combo can be a good outcome. You can wash and dry with one appliance, without having to free up any extra space.
Don’t mind that it takes a bit longer to get all your laundry clean and dry, but do you like the fact that you can do everything in one cycle? If so, a combined washer and dryer is the right choice for you.