We're thinking of going for a combined front loading washer/dryer to save some space. This will enable us to put a bench in the laundry.
Has anyone had any experience with these combined units?
Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 26, 2007 8:42 pm We're thinking of going for a combined front loading washer/dryer to save some space. This will enable us to put a bench in the laundry.
Has anyone had any experience with these combined units? Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 2Sep 26, 2007 8:50 pm NO…. but I want the one that steams as well, good choice Mark! Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 3Sep 26, 2007 10:03 pm Michelle NO…. but I want the one that steams as well, good choice Mark! Yep.. we're looking at the steaming ones. This model in particular has caught our eye.. http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/WD1256RD.html Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 4Sep 26, 2007 10:07 pm VERY NICE!!!
Its a bit too nice to hide in the laundry…..do you think you could find a spot where everyone can admire it? LG good brand….you buy one, let me know how it is! Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 6Sep 27, 2007 9:22 am They look good. But it would be great to get some real world feedback on them before I outlay that sort of cash for one. Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 7Sep 27, 2007 9:53 am Hey there Cookie, there are a couple of problems I see with these sorts of machines (I knew my bacheloring days would haunt me).
It is a 10 kg front loading washing machine first and foremost, fantastic save on water and all. We have a front loader and it is great. The two problems I see is that it is only a 6 kg dryer, so you have to take out another 4 kg of clothes to dry them. Leaving two drying cycles per load of washing..... The other is I/we nearly always have two wash cycles in a row to do on the Saturday morning or when they are done, only a 7.5kg washer at our place. If you wife is going to have a big wash day, eg 2 loads. and wants to use dryer as well. she is buggered...20kg washed = 3.5 loads to dry + wait time +unhappy misses if she is doing the washing... And don't forget that a front loader takes a lot longer for their washing cycles than a top loader... Great machine but I think unpractical. seperate washing machine and seperated dryer is the way to go.... In my opinion..... Gav & Vanessa Building In Melbourne (Sth East Suburbs) http://www.arkraider.blogspot.com/ Rawdon Hill Construction - Canterbury Heritage Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 8Sep 27, 2007 10:12 am Thank you very much! You raise some good points. I'll let the wife know since this is ultimately her decision (sounds sexist but she wouldn't trust me doing the washing ) Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 9Sep 27, 2007 10:30 am I definitely agree that in theory a combined unit is good, but I'm not sure that I'd get one.
As mentioned, you can't be washing and drying at the same time (as in first load is in the dryer while the second is in the washer). And the difference in weights for wash vs dry - which means if you were going to do a continuous cycle, you would be using the 10kg washer for only a 6kg load so maybe it's not as water wise afterall. Just my opinion. ~Ray. Second Time 'Round Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 10Sep 27, 2007 10:33 am P.S I have no problems with Matt doing our washing! What is there to get wrong - you chuck the clothes in, put in the powder and press a couple of buttons...
In fact I don't think I mind him doing any of the household chores - dishes, ironing, etc... (Matt my other half - not Matt AVD although if he really wanted to...) ~Ray. Second Time 'Round Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 11Sep 27, 2007 10:59 am The problem with me doing the washing is that I'd just forget to do it.. and then we'd be wearing our undies inside-out. Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 12Sep 27, 2007 11:21 am I agree with arkraider and ray, I really think it would be impractical for the reasons that they have listed and also because if it broke down you would be without a washer and a dryer. Our dryer gave up last year but at least I could still use the washing machine and clothesline. Love front loaders though - we've had one for years. Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 13Sep 27, 2007 11:33 am This is not really about combined washer/dryer, more about front loading washer, if anyone was thinking of switching from top loader.
I've never had a top loader myself, since I'm from Europe, but lived with my sister-in-law for a year who had a top loader, as most Aussies do. The positives I could see were that you were always able to chuck in that forgotten sock after the wash has started, which you can't do with the front loader, and of course it took a lot less time to get a load washed. Other than that, front loaders win everywhere else: less water used, less damage to clothes, no annoying lint every time you wash your navy T-shirt with a white towel, etc. One more thing I noticed here in Oz - there's no good fabric conditioner to use for a front loader, which is just as well I suppose, since they're no good for anything. And not such as big selection of washing powders either. Whinge, whinge. Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 14Sep 27, 2007 3:23 pm We are looking at a front loader when we move into the new house. I like the idea of a steam wash. It sounds really great as it's supposed to stretch out the fibres, and get a cleaner result - similar effect to dry cleaning. Does anyone know if LG are the only ones on the market with a steam wash option? Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 15Sep 27, 2007 4:07 pm Can anyone please kindly explain why top loaders "took a lot less time to get a load washed"?? Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 16Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm Allan, we were advised (by the shop assistant) that when we do buy a front loader to wash on the quick wash cycle 90% of the time and it would be fine. Only use the specialist cycles when absolutely necessary????
So why have the long cycles then??????????????? Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 17Sep 27, 2007 4:48 pm Found this -
"Front load washers take longer Yes they do because.....consider how they work. We have a bowl that takes very little water per fill. (I call these water saturation machines as apposed to water immersion machines) The amount of detergent required to produce a soap saturated solution in this little amount of water is very small. So we are saving heaps on soap. This solution concentrated with soap tumbles around back and forth in a polished stainless steel bowl. Machines with the right bowl design will lift the garments up and drop them down from the top to the bottom of the bowl. This action causes a squeezing effect on the load as if we placed our hand on the clothes and gently pushed down, so forcing the dirt out of the fabric. Now another important fact is the necessity to release the enzymes in the soap to allow the removal of greases.....what grease you might say, I haven't changed the oil in the car lately. OK....but ....what about our oils and greases in the form of body fat that we all excrete form our skin and deposit into the fabrics that we wear. The expert chemists say the the enzymes in detergent need to be heated to 50degrees c for twenty minutes to be effective at grease removal. Preferably start with cold water and allow this water to be 'warmed up' to 50 degrees c over a period of time to gain more cleaning effectiveness through a range of temperatures. NB I get good results at 40 degrees c so I favour this temp.( Some stains (blood) need to be released in cold water so use cold water first) After this washing for some time, then we need a thorough rinse. Because of the small amount of water per fill a few rinses are necessary and one with warming to thoroughly release all of the soap from our garments. Many people who blame certain brands of soap for there skin conditions are simply not getting a thorough rinse from their washer and so they are wearing clothing with soap trapped in the fibres. The bottom line is; ask yourself if you are prepared to sacrifice this wonderful thorough washing for a quicker less hygienic, more water wasteful, more soap wasteful, more energy wasteful way of washing. Form your own conclusion." http://users.bigpond.net.au/fixit/help_ ... e%20longer Ray. Oops I knew I pressed ctrl V twice... Second Time 'Round Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 18Sep 27, 2007 5:07 pm Well arkraider, that has made me make my mind up NOT to get one.
Your point about washing and drying separately is spot on! Another thing that really puts me off is the FRONT LOAD, I don’t like them…don’t ask why, not sure just don’t want one. I guess I have just seen them on TV and thought oooo, now that’s a good idea! I’m sure if it came down the crunch of buying one, the gloves would be off, and it would get the look-over from hell! Thanks for the input….now I can just concentrate on another 7.5…..not bad for just 2 of us…….. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 19Sep 27, 2007 5:16 pm Our front loader does a 40 degree wash in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, wool wash in about half an hour. The 95 degree wash takes two hours and 30 minutes, but you can only use that one for white cottons, linen, sheets, towels - a long one but hygienically washed.
I don't think the majority of Aussies will switch, like Michelle says, it's what you're used to. BTW, there are front loaders that actually open up the top, not sure if they're available in AUS though. Re: Combined Washer/Dryer 20Sep 27, 2007 5:18 pm Mek…..wouldn’t that be a top load, if it opens at the top??? Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com |