With such hectic and busy schedules, finding ways to cut down on chores to give ourselves more time to do things we enjoy is the dream. Washing and drying clothes is top on the list of extremely mundane tasks that nobody wants to do. So imagine if you could chuck your dirty clothes into the machine, and have them washed and dried all in one go.

Well, the truth is, you can! A two-for-one sounds right up most homeowners’ streets. However, is a washer dryer combo actually worth it, and does it actually do what it says on the tin? We’ll be delving into the world of washer dryers to help you decide.

How Does a Washer Dryer Work?

Just as labeled in the name, combination washer dryers work by doing two jobs in one. A washer dryer will both wash and dry your clothes in one single appliance, meaning there’s no need to stop to drag out your clothing and load it into another drum. Washer dryers are the same size as a regular washing machine, making them great for saving space by keeping things compact and organized.

There are two types wash washer dryer, that both work in slightly different ways:

Vented

Vented washer dryer units work in a similar way to if you were to use a traditional washing machine and follow it up with a regular dryer. The washing cycle will tumble the clothing with a mixture of water and clothes detergent until they are clean, before spinning them to remove any excess water.  Once spun, the machine brings in air from the surrounding area, heating it to the set temperature. The clothes are then spun again, with the heated air until fully dry. Steam from the heated unit and the damp clothes is expelled through a vent to the exterior of the home.

Ventless

A ventless system has a very similar wash cycle, however, the main difference with these units is the drying mechanism. With a ventless washer dryer unit, there is a cool condensing chamber constructed of either plastic or metal. The air inside the drum, where the wet clothes are located, is heated. Once it is heated to a sufficient temperature, the heated air circulates the moisture from the wet clothes as steam. This steam reaches the condensing chamber and quickly cools, where it leaves through the water drainage tube as a liquid. Once the moisture is removed, the dry, hot air is reused and recirculated into the unit to repeat the process.

Ventless units don’t need to be placed by a window or wall, like vented systems do. Making them more suitable for the majority of home layouts.

Pros of a Washer Dryer Combo

When deciding on investing in a washer dryer unit, it’s vital we know the specs to weigh out the pros versus the cons. Before investing in a model, make sure you check out some washer and dryer reviews to get the best bang for your buck. Some important pros of a washer dryer are:

• No unloading of wet clothes

With washer dryer combos, unloading and reloading is a thing of the past. No one enjoys dragging a mound of soggy clothing out of one unit and loading it into another. Washer dryer combos save time and effort, allowing you to put time into other areas of your life.

• A lower carbon footprint

Due to it only being one appliance rather than two, washer dryer combos actually have half the carbon footprint of your regular stand-alone washer and dryer.

• Two separate appliances in one

With a washer dryer combo unit, you don’t always have to use the washer and dryer functions together. This allows you to wash your clothes like a regular washing machine would, and choose to use the dryer whenever it suits you.

Cons of a Washer Dryer Combo

Some important cons of a washer dryer are:

• One appliance instead of two

Although it may seem like a great idea, it may not be the best choice for larger families or those who do multiple wash cycles in a row. It’s definitely a space saver, but only having one appliance means that you’ll have to wait around for your clothes to dry before you can load another wash.

• You can’t dry as much as you can wash

If you’re a fan of loading up your washing machine to the brim, take note that this won’t work when it comes to drying. Dryers require a lot more space to spin your clothes than washers do. So if you’ve crammed everything you own into the washer, you’ll have to remove half of it and put on two dry cycles.

• They tend to use a lot of water

We can’t say this for all brands and models, but washer-dryer combos have a reputation of using up a lot of water to wash and dry clothes. Always do some research before investing, if you’re worried about your water bill.