I have the LG WM3988HWA washer/dryer combo, which seems has been discontinued since I bought it in 2009. At the 4.2 cu ft capacity it is a full size washer (bigger than the one featured here) and I simply love it. It plugs into the 120V electricity so no electrical wiring, and it is ventless. It does take a little longer to finish the load than the traditional washer and dryer, but it is very well worth it. I find that the ventless condensing drying is much gentler on the clothes, not to mention that it is energy efficient. My model also has steam washing, which doesn't seem to be incorporated into the new models. I keep it in the kitchen next to the sink and had it hooked up to the water lines under the sink. It is perfect for condo/apartment living!

Good to know mrddarcy, thanks for sharing your knowledge & experience. Hoping others will chime in here as well Was all exited about the vac til I saw it was a Dyson product. I tend not to get bit by the same dog twice.

Not sure what your experience was with the Dyson. But I got that exact model for christmas- for my 2 bedroom condo and I LOVE it. I had a monster before, and this one is just as powerful- and so light. I dont' ever sweep anymore- just switch the floor attachment- and I'm off.

They're expensive. but worth it.

I love this! THANK YOU for the ideas, AT :-)

I second the recommendation for the LG washer/dryer combo. Ours is even older than the one mrdarcy has---we chose the smallest one they make because it fit sideways in a closet. We got a snap-on adapter that attaches it to a sink faucet.

Two caveats about ventless combo machines: (1) you may need to change your laundry habits a bit because drying takes a very long time---switch to a small load or two every day rather than a whole bunch of loads in a row, or air-dry a lot of your laundry. (2) We bought an extended warranty from Best Buy and that paid off big-time: it's been repaired a few times (in 7 years) and replaced once, all for free. I wouldn't ever get the extended warranty for a normal appliance, but I'm glad I did this time!

I did the math and it paid for itself in 9 months, vs. laundromat. Plus it's extremely energy- and water-efficient.

Thank you so much amberm and mrdarcy for your reviews of the washer/dryer combo! We have a stacked 24" washer/dryer in our condo that needs to be replaced and I've been wondering if the combo units are any good!

When you say drying takes a long time... just how long are we talking about? Our dryer currently takes at least 45 minutes.

Also, vacuum cleaners - we have the Miele Neptune canister vac and I've been very happy with its performance.

The washing and drying combined can take up to three hours (I grew up in Europe so I am used to this length for laundry). The way I understand this, and I might be wrong, is that the unit uses 120V electricity where the conventional driers use the 220V. I tend to use the "less dry" setting, which I find perfectly dries clothes without over-drying. What I find most convenient is setting the timer so that the cycle starts while I am at work and is finishing up just as I come home. That way I don't have to wait around and get to take the clothes out as soon as they are dry so they don't wrinkle. The display does show the estimated cycle time based on the settings and the weight of the load, which is a nice feature.
What I forgot to mention earlier is that there is no lint filter in this type of washer/dryer, which can be a little messy as the lint accumulates on the rubber rim of the drum. The best solution I discovered, is to use a Clorox wipe to remove the lint film from the rubber rim after every load.
The manufacturer also recommends to periodically clean the filter which filters the outgoing water, and I recommend for this to be done as lint can accumulate there as well and cause the water to back up.
The unit definitely has some positives and negatives. If I had the opportunity to get the conventional washer and drier, I am not sure what my choice would be. However the convenience of not having to rewire my electric system to the 220V, not having a vent, and saving a lot of space by having just one unit was a clear determinant for me.
I do LOVE this appliance.

Thanks mrdarcy!!

I bought a dyson expecting it to make vacuuming easier/almost pleasant however I found it to poorly navigate and the suction is almost too much, making it difficult. Made me really wish I had gotten the nilfisk my boyfriend has, so light and so powerful and quiet. The Dyson isn't bad but I never appreciated how good the Nilfisk was until I compared it to all the others. Just a thought!

We have a compact vac with a fold down handle. Its the Hoover rewind pet. I can't imagine better suction. It gets great ratings online and from CR.

I've been wanting that tiny, colorful Bodum grill for a long time, but my patio is too tiny even for that. Also, something about very low, small grills seems dangerous to me, which makes 0 sense, but I would still feel weird using one somehow.