Are Washer/Dryers reliable

I have a Whirlpool stackable called a ThinTwin because I live in a tiny chalet and can stand in the middle of my kitchen and reach almost everything just by turning around! LOL! When the house was new, my sister had a new one (don't know what kind), but that was in 1971 which is almost 40 years ago. We just got the current one about a year ago, and it's a refurbished one. I'm not positive, but I THINK we had the original one up until last year. Considering the house was a rental unit between the time my sister moved out and I moved in (almost 20 years), to me, that's pretty good reliability. When we were looking for the replacement unit, I did some research about them and found out that there are generally 2 different types of power available in these types of units. Where you are might be different, but here some have the regular 110 plugs and some have the 220 plugs. I know that can be said more technically, but I don't how to say it! LOL! Anyway, don't bother with the lower power units. Be sure to get one with whatever is your equivalent to our 220 plug.

I am lousy at doing laundry on a regular basis so when I do manage to do it, I usually do quite a few loads at a time. I have NO trouble running both the washer and dryer at the same time. My dryer doesn't seem to take any longer than a regular separate dryer would...even with the washer running at the same time. The thing you DO have to be very diligent about is cleaning both the filter for the washer and ESPECIALLY the filter for the dryer..between every load or at least every other load. I've used all different sizes of washers and dryers because in the past I've usually done laundry at a friend's house or in a laundromat. This is actually the first time I've ever had my own washer/dryer, and I love it! You do have to do slightly smaller washer loads and be careful about not stuffing those last few pieces of clothes in just to save doing an extra load, but mine can still take quite a bit of laundry depending, of course, on how heavy and thick they are. I haven't tried my twin comforter in it yet and tend to think it might be a bit much for it to handle, but my brother is next door so I can just take it there, and that's not something you wash all that often anyway. It definitely does a complete set of sheets without any problems.

HTH!

Yes it does Gentisong thank you.

> The thing you DO have to be very diligent about is cleaning both the filter for the washer and ESPECIALLY the filter for the dryer..

That applies manyfold if you have a washer / dryer. I've only just done my filter.

Thank you Mr Russ ... it sounds as though yours might have been slightly blocked ... was it my thread that reminded you to clean yours.

No, this is purely coincidence. I did this last night and my wash ran from midnight to 3 am this morning. (It's nearly 4:30 pm here now).

LOL ... only teasing Mr_Russ. Hope you didn't have to get up at 3 am to empty the machine.

Who was it a while back who went nuts when they got a new washer. Said she used to go in just to look at in once in awhile. That was one of the funniest things I ever read. Anyone else remember this? But if you have been without one for a long while, I guess getting one would be pretty exciting.

Cherb, as we don't have a dryer, we hang our clothes above the bath to dry!

Get you a Whirlpool and it will last for many many years. Kenmore, by Sears, was once really made by Whirlpool.....might still be.......and I know for fact, that with proper use, they will last 20 years and more. We had a set of Kenmore washer and dryer, Princess Series, that was bought in 1965 and they both lasted til the early 1990's......in fact, the dryer was still working, and we gave it to my nephew and his wife.

I lived in a small mobile home, and DID NOT have room for 2 ( washer/dryer ).
SO, I bought a used STACK- UNIT. The washer was on the bottom. I will tell you...

I LOVED IT! No bending over getting the clothes out of the dryer!
The man who I bought it from told me that it ran on 220 power. For the 110 will use too much electric. I thought hows that? He said the 220 uses less time to dry the clothes. ( The power is for USA )
Also, It was a full size tubes in both . And it depends on the family size too. There are just DH & I.

I took my BIG blankets, quilts, and pillows to the Laundry Mat. So not over stuff my unit. Took these at every other month. If you have friends who have bigger single ones maybe they can help clean those for you. My larg King Size Quilt I always take it to the Public Laundry Mat.
I would buy again IN A HEART BEAT. Now I have the single units and had to put my dryer on blocks, so I do not have to bend over so far.
Yes, you do have to watch the lint fliters, and the dryer vent in my single unit was vented outside. They do have vents you can buy that vent indoors even for the single unit dryer.
Sorry, I do not remember the company of my single unit. Google them, for some companies give the details, and have customer reviews.

GOOD LUCK
PEN

I have had a washer/dryer combo in my home for over 20 years. The energy efficient (energy star) type helps my electric bill tremendously. There is a "living green" line, which is available through Electrolux, that will wash and dry a load in less than an hour. The design is space efficient. A google search will give you more details. I wish you the best in your decision-making process.

They now have stackable apt. size washer and dryers. They are separate units so if one breaks down and can't be fixed you do not have to replace the whole unit. This happened to my sister and it was only 2 years old. I convinced her to get the apt. stackable units and she's a very happy camper. I have stackable units myself but they are not the apt. size.

I personally like the stackable as it's a great space saver. The only problem with regular size units and being stack is I need a step stool for my dryer. Guess that's one of the drawbacks of being short...............yes short.............not height challenged or any other term someone wants to place on a short person.

Sorry, Cherb but I don't know anything about a machine that washes as well as dries (seen on the telly but that doesn't coulnt LOL). Don't know what is available in the UK.
BUT I would look online for people's experiences, opinions, complaints, blogs as well as retailers that give you pics and specs (even pricing sometimes). Also, in my neck of the USA, there are "discount" stores that sell new appliances that might have a small (really small is best) dent or even a sizeable scratch which you can paint or even just wax. I did that - got a great, name-brand refrigerator for less than half the regular retail price and it was still going strong when I sold it after 15 years!
Good Luck & don't forget to ask EVERYone you know, see, or are in line with at the bus stop or market.

Cherb - just checked with my sister - who is VERY practical. She bought John Lewis's own brand and says it's great. Doesn't cost too much to run and does a great job. Good luck!

My sis had a new one in her townhouse and it never dryed anything fully. I used it and did not like it at all.

I'm not sure about the current models...but as Jaquelle has experienced my friend had one (about 15 years ago) and the dryer was pretty carp. He ended up using the washing line, airers or radiators

Just to say that my washer/dryer has just dried my washing perfectly - not in one go though as you wouldn't expect it to!

Wow thanks very much for the replies everyone ... I have been looking all afternoon and I now have specs (not spots LOL) in front of my eyes .

This is not going to be a quick decision by any stretch of the imagination and DH thought it would only take me an hour at the most ... silly man ... I am a woman.

One minute I still want a washer/dryer the next I think I will just buy a washing machine because of some of your replies and also the "I wouldn't give one house room" comment I got from one of the local shops that sells and repairs machines.

I think I will sleep on it and ponder anew tomorrow.

PONDering is always good!

Having lived in England for a while I would say that 95% of English households have a washer/dryer combo...the same for the mini-fridge instead of a full size fridge. I would talk to friends and neighbors on High Street for some info. Good luck!