apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Another example of why AT DC needs its own site - this topic is ages old to NYC people...

or another example while all these ridiculous "city" sites should be combined into one, to avoid the constant repetition of content.

We bought the LG model two years ago when we moved into our condo. I do NOT recommend it. Even though it saves space and is energy efficient, I've ruined lots of clothes "learning" how to use it.

The washer works great -- the dryer is the problem. It drys clothes by heating them up and wicking off the steam which can be a nightmare with some clothes. Many wrinkles!

Also it's not good at removing lint. If I'm not careful I end up with more lint on my clothes after they've been washed and dried. This is because it doesn't have a lint trap.

The first year we had it, the water hose broke and flooded our condo. It had sprung several leaks. It was repaired for free since it was still under warranty. The second year the heater broke for the dryer and it required several head-scratching trips from the repairman to fix. If you buy one be sure to spring for the extended warranty.

As for me, I'm just using it until our warranty runs out.

I think these are standard throughout the UK and Europe. My husband (a Brit) thinks they're great. I (being an American) don't know how I'd ever fit a blanket bigger than a throw in the wash.

My best friend in Austin, TX had one that came with her apartment...it was crammed under the sing vanity. I washed (rather tried to wash ) a load of clothes and it was a horrible experience. These things are not much bigger in size than a large microwave. You can only do very small loads at a time and it takes forever to dry. Have fun with your washer and dryer in one....i'd rather cart my crap to the laundry mat if i have to do laundry....it will get done faster.

I had one in my Hamburg (Germany) apartment. The dryer part used waaaaay too much power. I ended up hang-drying my clothing. The washer part worked great. Siemens, was the company, if memory serves.

These are a nightmare. The person who pointed out the lint problem is right. They're made to be ventless, which is a huge problem for your clothes.

NancyA, sorry the LG unit has been a problem for you. I haven't had any problems and absolutely love my LG washer/dryer. As for the unit taking longer, I load the washer, set the timer to coincide with completing the dry cycle when I get home from work and pull the clothes out immediately. Small loads do better with less wrinkles but I suppose it depends on what clothes you wear too. As a guy most of my clothing consistes of jeans, t-shirts etc. which dry wrinkle free most times unless I overload it. I replaced my hoses immediately after buying it too with the nonburst type hoses.

I bought the washer/dryer because my home doesn't have 220 power for an elec. dryer, there is no way to get a gas line for a gas dryer and building code prevents venting a dryer more than a certain amount of feet horizontally which meant I couldn't vent it outside. Plus I would have had to tear out my floor or ceiling to do so.

What about just getting a washer and then hanging your clothes to dry? That's what we do. (We don't have a dryer.)

One more thing. I replaced my previous Equator washer/dryer with the LG. The Equator took a very very long time to dry and clothes still came out damp. Also it held less than half the capacity of the LG. Parts were very difficult to find also (I looked for a replacemnt gasket for the front loading door). I haven't had to look for parts yet for the LG, but at least the brand is more popular in the US than Equator which is actually made by Phillips.

I remember these as using too much energy and water. Maybe that has changed, but the older machines were severely compromised as dryers, heating the clothes against the hot washing drum, fanning away the steam to be condensed in a stream of tap water flowing somewhere in the machine.

The hot drum could melt synthetics, and the whole process was rather wasteful.

Also, they handle 5 kg of laundry when washing, but only half that when drying. So either wash half loads, or empty the machine and dry in two batches.

The LG unit I purchased is Energystar rated. I can typically wash and dry a full load no problem unless I am washing heavier items like jeans or towels. In that case I do pull some items out and line dry them.

When I buy clothing that I intend to shrink (shrink to fit jeans etc.) to the size I want I typically have to go to a laundromat because it can take several cycles to shrink in the LG unit.

I have one of the smaller LG units and love it. I bought it to replace an old stackable Kenmore unit. The washer is great. It's just your typical front loader when it comes to washing. I got rebates from my gas and electric utilities for $125 when I bought it.

The dryer takes a little getting used to. I find that it takes a little longer and clothes feel damp when I pull them out but by the time I've finished folding them. I also find that they aren't wrinkled too badly if I pull them out once the dry cycle is over. If I leave them, they're a wrinkled mess.

Lint is an issue since I have dogs. I usually vacuum out the machine every few weeks. That seems to make a big difference.

wow this is so timely for me right now! my equator combo that came with my new combo has been leaking since i moved in (and probably prior!) so i have some work ahead of me in replacing water damaged walls (the unit is upstairs of my living room). anyway i ordered a new pump online and it SHOULD be here next week if the Sears website is correct that is in stock. we'll see. if i cannot get it repaired, i was looking at other brands, like LG or whirlpool.
i dont mind the dry time, since my condo wouldn't work with a vented dryer. i just hang the clothes up on a rack and save on my energy bills!

My apartment came with an older Equator model that I hated, but not because of the way it worked, but because it was on wheels and would roll all over my uneven floor during spin cycles. When it died, I got the LG, which I LOVE. It does take longer than usual to dry (the clothes are drier than with the Equator), but I find it's a lot less hard on the clothes than traditional dryers.

Growing up, we did all our laundry on Sunday nights. That obviously doesn't work with this type of machine. During the week, I just pop a load in every other day before I go to bed (or earlier if I want to hang dry). Then I wake up in the morning to clean clothes.

i had one of these Equators for a couple of years and would not purchase one again. as has already been posted, the dryer takes forever. i mean like dryer 3 cycles to get the clothes almost dry (they were always still a little damp when they came out) and the wrinkles are insanity. unless you want to spend all your free time re-setting the dryer and ironing your clothes, i would completely forget about this idea.

best to just get a front load energy efficient washer and hang your clothes to dry on small racks or on hangers off your shower curtain rod (if you don't have outdoor space), which is what i do now.

oh, and the water pump on my machine broke several times while i had it. i was on a first name basis with the repair man.

i have an LG. it came with my apartment. while it isn't my favorite thing in the world ( i would LOVE to have the space for a seperate washer and dryer) i like it because i don't have to lug my laundry up and down 3 flights of stairs. if you do the wash a lot and in small loads it is just fine. there is a lot of wrinkling but i'd rather iron every now and then than hit the stairs with a bundle of laundry. maybe some day i will have more space.... but probably not!

The Miele is supposed to be the state of the art in these. And, yes it does have a lint filter.

http://www.johnlewis.com/230223657/Product.aspx?source=22564

I have the Asko model and I love it. It does take some getting used to but it is completely worth is for the space that I save not having a separate dryer. When the weather cooperates I hang-dry my clothes but otherwise I start it in the morning before I go to work and it is done when I get home. So it really doesn't matter that it takes longer (and I don't have to be there to switch it to the dryer). Also, the Asko is energystar rated.

I love my LG WM3431HS. Capacity is larger than others I researched. It's pricey but if you shop around, you can find one that's similar in cost to a full w/d set. I think its worth it since it replaced a ugly white stackable unit that took up precious kitchen cabinet and countertop space. My LG fits perfectly under my new kitchen countertop and blends in just fine with all my stainless steel appliances.

Wrinkles are a given when drying, but lots of fabric softener and removing immediately prevents them from setting in. I prefer air drying my clothes (keeps colors vibrant longer and prevents shrinkage), so its only ever an issue with sheets.

I have used the Mielle unit at a friend's apartment while visiting in Australia. I had never seen a washer/dryer before, and had no idea they existed - but they are common there as someone said before. It was a little complicated but it did great at washing a pretty packed load for me. some of the heavy items came out damp, but they really did dry right away when folding. The washer/drier definitely left a good impression on me and contributes to my super advanced & futuristic opinion of Melbourne (awesome city).

Air drying is better for your clothes anyhow, so the wrinkle aspect doesn't bother me - I'd only use the full dry cycle on sheets, towels, undies and the like. I toss shirts and pants into the dryer just for a minute, to heat them and remove the biggest wrinkles, before hanging them on plastic hangers to dry. My clothes last FOREVER as a result, and I save a ton of energy in the process - it also saves me having to iron. Stuff doesn't come out completely wrinkle-free and crisp this way, but after wearing things a couple of hours you can't really tell the difference (unless you're using starch - ick!).

I looked into these combo units when I was considering a kitchen remodel in an apartment I was renting (splitting the cost with the landlard). I think they're a great idea, but some models are clearly better than others.

Stop guzzling energy and buy a clothes maiden to dry your clothes!
I have a washer dryer but have never in my life dried clothes in a machine - why would you when you can just hang them up somewhere to dry.

we've had a ventless dryer for 18 years, and have never had a problem with wrinkling, so would hypothesize that the problem is not a ventless system per se (maybe just in that particular make it is...).

I have used these combo units, and have friends who have them, and they are desperate to get a dedicated dryer. To do one load of laundry takes 5 hours, and when you switch from wash to dry, you must remove half the clothes.

As to air drying clothes, when you live in a small apartment with no balcony, you wind up having clothes drying all over your 800 square foot living space -- not much fun. And even less fun when you have 2 children, and often do 2 loads a day.

(another friend with 2 kids has to truck everything down to the neighborhood laundromat, an interesting experience as the local hookers tend to do their laundry at the same time)

Either dry them on a rack, or get a seperate dryer. Those combo-machines are nothing but trouble, according to the people I know. I went with two machines, and only uses the dryer for linens, towels, and so forth - especially not the stuff I want to keep "for ever".

My wife and I just bought one a few weeks ago as our old machine was in really bad shape (and started ripping our clothes). We bought the Ariston ARMXXL 129 and it's fantastic.

We hang dry our clothes but plan to use the drying function more as winter creeps in and hang drying becomes a little more difficult.

We've already tried out the dryer and it works great, the important thing is that you get a machine with a good centrifuge and the clothes come out almost-dry right after the wash cycle, then the drying can be done quite easily.

PS: A dedicated (and ventilated) tumble dryer is better, but that means you need space for one more machine (or stack them) and a few extra $$$. The all-in-one is a smart choice for small apartments.

a friend had one of these, he called it the "hot & wet," because that's all it did to his clothes, make them hot and wet.

Mixed emotions. Many models are ungodly slow and lock up so if you made a mistake with putting something in that shouldn't be... you are pretty much SOL. I seemed to experience about 4 hour wash/dry time. Nice not to have to swap loads for drying but nontheless, I'd rather lose a bit more space and have a stackable unit as we do now from ASKO.

We were thinking about buying one of these, but were warned off them by a friend. They had theirs for a year and it was nothing but trouble (I think it was an Indesit). The biggest problem was that it took forever to finish a cycle, so if you're like me and leave all your washing til the weekend you will be spending the ENTIRE weekend just doing washing. Also, I never leave the house with the dryer on, so I would always be paranoid that I would get home to a house of ashes.

In the end we bought a cheap dryer and a 7kg Indesit washer. Although our unit is only 500sq feet we have managed to fit these easily by wall mounting the dryer. It makes for a much more flexible set up. And before you ask why I don't hang the washing out, We have to traipse all the way around the front of the house to get to the backyard and we have very close, very NOSY neighbours, a wire rack is out of the question as we simply have no room.

If you suffer from paranoia, don't bother with an all in one.

would NOT recommend! I have an equator and as said before, it takes forever to dry. to me, the dryer is useless since it takes forever and is never fully dry and seems easier, faster and def cheaper if i just hang it. then it'll be dry by morning and my electric bill isn't ridiculous.

also, the handle on mine has broken twice and although easy enough to repair i've been waiting A YEAR for the company handling parts to get it. finally got it but the parts are impossible to get should you need it. and you WILL need a new handle inevitably. equators are awful.

save your money, get a regular unit or just hang dry stuff. the combo units i would not recommend.

I have had the LG and Miele installed in smaller space condos that I have worked on. The Miele has gotten better reviews that the LG.

i just wished they made them more energy efficient- I have serious 'green-guilt' with them.

I have the smaller LG and I love it (considering the alternatives). If you do your homework. Know what you are getting and what to expect you will be very pleased with the LG. ALL OTHERS SUCK! (excluding Miele which I have not much info on). Do not shop by price. Read the reviews. Make sure you get the extended warranty.

A washer dryer is never as good as a separate washer and dryer. I had one - it broke down after three years, and I think that's about the standard. It is really hot too - it will shrink things if you aren't careful.

So From all the reviews I have read elsewhere and here, the combined units are bad, especially after a while.. I could do seperate units but I can't vent out.. Anyone know a compact front loader and washer that can vent in. When I was growing up we had one in the 70's. dryer can be gas?

I've been looking at these since it seems like Europe has had these forever and seem to work for them. Some of you have said you had problems with lint because there isn't a vent, do you think a lint trap will work? When I lived in Savannah, I had to use one because our standard dryer didn't have a vent. This worked great. Easy to install. You just have to make sure you have water for your lint to plop into. Since I've never seem a combo unit in person, I don't know if this would work or not. Worth checking out. I have cats and wash to rid myself of cat hair. Let me know if you think it will work.

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(0lubvq55ccb3sj55okghh555)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=45332

I hated mine--took two hours to dry a couple of towels. It was better than nothing.