Pros and Cons of a Washer/Dryer Combo
If you’ve ever lived in a small apartment or dreamed of streamlining your laundry routine, you’ve probably come across the washer/dryer combo. These all-in-one units seem like the perfect solution, especially when space is at a premium — or, let’s be honest, you’re guilty of forgetting to change laundry loads and letting the clothes sit in a wet stinky clump in the washing machine. But what are the pros and cons of a washer/dryer combo and are these all-in-one units worth the hype?
We’ve had ours close to six months now, so let’s dive into the pros and cons of a washer/dryer combo, and what went into our decision process.
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Pros of a Washer/Dryer Combo
Washer/dryer combos have a lot to offer, particularly for people living in small spaces. Here are some of the ventless washer dryer combo advantages we’ve found:
- Space-Saving: Ok, this might be the best advantage of a combo unit. Washer/dryer all-in-ones are obviously just one appliance, not two, so if you live in a small apartment, RV, or even a tiny house with a small laundry room, these units can be a game changer. No more dedicating an entire room to laundry—just one machine that fits neatly into a small space. Personally, we were able to add a whole storage cabinet in the space where the washer used to be which has been so helpful.
- Convenience: This was the biggest advantage for us – no more forgetting to change the load and coming back to musty old sheets! You can put your clothes in the machine, press a few buttons, and come back hours later to clean, dry laundry.
- No Need for Venting: Many washer/dryer combos are ventless, meaning they don’t need an external vent to expel hot air like traditional dryers do. This makes installation easier and more flexible, which is one of the major ventless washer dryer combo advantages. You can place them almost anywhere with a water hookup and a standard outlet.
- Energy Efficiency: Although they can take longer to dry clothes, some models are actually quite efficient when it comes to energy consumption, especially compared to a traditional washer and dryer setup. This can be particularly true if you’re mindful of using smaller loads.
Drawbacks of Washer/Dryer Combos
Of course, as with anything, there are also drawbacks of washer dryer combos that should be considered:
- Longer Cycle Times: One of the biggest downsides to these units is the time it takes to finish a load. Because washing and drying are all done in one machine, a single load can take three or four hours from start to finish. If you have a large family or do a lot of laundry, this may be a dealbreaker. It was one of the biggest considerations we had has forced us to rethink how we do laundry; ie smaller loads and laundry most days.
- Drying Performance: All-in-one laundry units often fall short compared to traditional dryers in thoroughly drying bulky items (bedding, towels, etc). Many models have smaller drum capacities for drying, meaning clothes may need extra drying time.
- Cost: Of course, there’s a wide price range, but all-in-one combo machines tend to be a little pricier.
Who Should Buy a Washer/Dryer Combo?
So, who should buy a washer dryer combo? Let’s weigh the pros and cons of a washer/dryer combo to see who benefits most from this type of appliance.
- People With Limited Laundry Room Space: If space is limited and you don’t have access to a dedicated laundry room, a washer/dryer combo can be a great option. These machines work well in small apartments, especially when you don’t have a lot of laundry to do at once.
- Families with Busy Schedules: The idea of setting and forgetting a load, rather than moving wet clothes from one machine to another, is very appealing for those with a busy lifestyle. *Checks notes: like us*
Washer/Dryer Combo Maintenance and Usage Tips
If you decide that a washer/dryer combo is right for you, proper maintenance is key to keeping it running smoothly. Here are some washer dryer combo maintenance tips:
- Avoid Overloading: These machines are not meant for heavy loads, and overloading can lead to poor washing or drying results. Stick to smaller loads for the best performance.
- Clean the Filter Regularly: Lint buildup can affect the drying performance of all-in-one laundry units, so cleaning the lint filter regularly is important.
- Run a Cleaning Cycle: Once a month, run an empty hot wash with a bit of vinegar to prevent mold and mildew from building up inside the drum, like with any machine. *We need to be better about this, too.*
Why We Prefer a All-in-one Washer Dryer
We have the LG WM6998HBA Ventless Washer/Dryer Combo LG WashCombo, which was gifted as part of a paid partnership with LG earlier this year but this post isn’t sponsored.
More than anything, we love the set-it-and-forget-it functionality of an all-in-one unit. No more arguments about whose responsibility it was to switch the load (just us?). But also, having just the one appliance allowed us to reimagine our laundry space and add sooooo much necessary storage. Which, as a family, you can never have enough of.
Now, if any of you have tips to stop your kids dirtying yourself and your sh*t so you don’t have to do so much laundry, we’re all ears.
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