I first learned about combo washer/dryers in 1999 in Manhattan, while checking out a potential sublet. I wound up in another apartment, but the idea of the tiny all-in-one machine that washes then dries clothes always came to mind whenever I endured vying for washers and dryers at the laundromat or dropped $15 to $20 per load at the wash and fold around the corner.
What makes combo washers so special is they don’t require hookups or the exhaust vent common to standard dryers. Instead, combo washer/dryers spin clothes at a super high speed, wringing most of the water away so the dry cycle has an easier time drying the load. Which brings up the top two minuses I’d read about when researching combo washer/dryers: A very long drying cycle and very wrinkled clothes.
Since my usual attire is a tee-shirt and jeans or shorts, the wrinkled part wasn’t a big deal, however the long drying cycle might be annoying.
So I was surprised and excited when the new home I moved into was outfitted with a combo washer/dryer, the LG WM3431HW. While the LG can be mounted on wheels and moved near a sink to tap into a faucet for water and the drain cycle, this one was neatly situated beneath the bathroom counter and hooked up to hidden hot and cold water taps in back.
The on/off switch bears the international symbol familiar to computers and other devices, and the Start/Pause button activates and pauses the machine at any point in the cycle. A twirl of the big know selects wash and dry cycles, which include Sanitary, Cotton/Towels, Normal, Perm Press, Delicates, Wool/Silk, Hand Wash and Speed Wash. Other buttons enable options like Extra Wash, Extra Rinse, Rinse + Spin, and Dry.
I tossed in a few towels, poured half a cap of detergent into the dispenser (with two additional slots for bleach and fabric softener), hit Start and through the front porthole window watched as the machine did its thing.
All was well during the 30-minute Speed Wash cycle – then all hell broke loose when the spin cycle kicked in. The LG shook and rocked like R2D2 in shock therapy, vibrating so violently it actually hammered itself halfway out from under the counter before I reached it and hit Stop.
I checked the manual, which states the machine must be on a level surface in order to function. It also mentioned four shipping bolts around back must be removed before operating the machine, but I didn’t worry about those since the thing was already installed and presumably operated by the prior tenants.
I adjusted and tightened the four feet, turned the machine on, and chose the Drain + Spin option. No luck. The LD did the same as before, rocking so wildly that using it was out of the question.
For the heck of it I pulled the machine out from under the counter to confirm that those shipping bolts had been removed when the machine was installed – and discovered they had not.
I unscrewed the bolts, pushed the unit back under the bathroom counter, and tried again – and this time the machine worked flawlessly, spinning the laundry at an incredibly high speed with practically zero vibration. I was amazed by how well it rung away the water, and doubly amazed when the estimated time for the dry cycle went from 2 hours and 30 minutes to less than an hour, thanks to an auto-sensor that adjusts accordingly.
The clothes came out somewhat wrinkled and very slightly damp but not wet, per se. A few shakes took away the wrinkles, and setting the clothes and towels out for a little while did away with the slight moisture. A More Dry option offers better drying, however the summer sun and a clothing rack on the porch have taken over that job, and my satisfaction with the LG WM3431HW has me absolutely beaming.
My verdict? I highly recommended the LG WM3431HW for solo occupants in small spaces where outside venting isn’t an option.
Just be sure to remove the shipping bolts before you hit Start.
I have one of the babies in my new apartment. Do I need to use a special kind of detergent? I’m assuming that because of the steam drying I can do away with dryer sheets.
I can’t wait to try it!
I use ordinary detergent (the sensitive skin/unscented kind) and as instructed in the manual I uses only half the amount and everything comes out smelling rosy – actually, smelling like nothing but clean. :-) These little suckers are awesome! -Joe
Thanks for the tips about the LG and shipping bolts, we didn’t take them out at first, and nearly knocked our granite countertop right off…that thing danced like no appliance I’ve ever seen! It works wonderfully now, and is such a space and energy saver.
You’re welcome. It’s crazy, right? I wish they put a big red poster on the front with ties to the back so you have to notice the bolts before you even set it up. My little guy is humming away as I type this, that Speed Wash feature is the best! And though you may be tempted to use usual amount of detergent you really only need half the usual amount – and if concentrated type, only a 1/4 at that. Enjoy your washer and dryer!
hi
I also have an LG waher/dryer in my condo;
I will double check for the bolts, but it doesnt shake that badly
however, I don’t have a Speed Wash, which would be nice
Mine is about 3 years old and cost about $1800. I’m wondering if it’s an older (or newer) model
I only wilsh there was a speed dry
Pamela
Do you have any dope about lint buildup? I hear it’s an issue with these machines. THX
I do encounter some lint buildup but it’s generally easy to wipe out of the rubber ring that front’s the inside. Never been much of a big deal for me, but maybe others can comment as well.
I was wondering if there is any need for dryers sheet and would you recommend this for a family of 5,two of which are young teenage boys?
Hey, Maryann. Never tried dryer sheets and that’s a good idea. Can say this is not the right choice for a family of five, particularly with two teenage boys. It’s really ideal for one person or, at most, a couple that doesn’t generate a lot of laundry. I for instance wear shorts and tee shirts throughout the summer so there’s not much laundry, and in the winter I wear tee shirts and over shirts and jeans but even then I don’t generate much laundry. I do haul my mom’s laundry over twice a week to do hers as well, so in total I’m doing laundry for two, a couple days a week, and that’s about as much as I’d recommend to anyone considering one of these. Joe
I’ve been interested in getting one of these machines for a couple years. I have no problem with the long dry cycle because I prefer to hang laundry outdoors when I can. I love the space-saving 24″ size, and the “all-in-one” feature.
The thing that is holding me back is that I live in a 110 year old house that has settled over the years. It was encouraging to hear that once you took the bolts out there was almost no vibration – I was imagining the walls cracking more with each load of laundry.
Here’s my question: How hard it is to level the floor and do you think the floor would have to be reinforced as well?
Thanks,
Judy
Thinking about purchasing a LG WM3431HW All-In-One Washer and Dryer just concerned that it will not hold enough. For an example how many towels could you put in at once?
hello, joe.
thanks so much for this review.
1. i’m sort of in the same boat as judy – i’d like to buy a home and the many that are currently available/affordable are older homes. like you, i’d like to put the machine in an upstairs bathroom, if that’s the design of the home i buy (or in the kitchen near the dishwasher for a 1-level home). this decision is also based on my recent abdominal surgery and recurring bursitis in knees, as well as my need for less clutter. would an inspection alone determine if this set-up is viable or should i have a (shake test) done by an (engineer)?
2. ditto, john. i currently have a large capacity front-load washer in the basement and hate the thought of moving it. also, along with my (large) son who still lives at home, i love small, efficient, and environmentally friendly consumer products. with this machine, i’m looking at throwing stuff in there every day to prevent back-up loads (clutter). i recently learned that my first front-load washer was a (kitchen aid) 1.9ft3 model and i had no problems with large items (3-4 pairs of 32×32 jeans or 3-4 body+3-4 hand towels+wash/dish cloths). considering you also do your mom’s laundry, what’s the bulkiest load you’ve done? did you combine your mom’s stuff with yours (more efficient) or did keep them separate just because you could? i ask this because i think you underestimate the ability of this machine.
3. i’m about to try purex’s new complete 3-in-1 laundry sheets because i find the overall value is good for the environment. does this machine work with dryer sheets? do you use anything at all to soften or reduce static? you didn’t say in a previous response.
thanks again.
-k
Hi,
I wanted to chime in on the vibrations. I have a different model than reviewed and have had it for 3 years. When I first got it I had the same vibration issue as Joe mentioned. I live in an older building as well so the floor had settled and was not quite level.
The solution: you can get little feet to put on the bottom to make the machine level and use a rubber floor mat. The floor mat is about 2 inches thick. You can get these at ranch supply stores or a really good hardware store. My downstairs neighbors don’t even notice when I do my laundry.
We bought this thing back in July and it’s performed quite well. Wrinkling being the only nuisance. Odd thing, tho: I never paid any attention to it much until recently. It does seem to use a lot of water. In your own unit, do you see any water level at all?
We’re trying to figure out if this is a problem…or a feature!
Also, we’re starting to run into drying issues. I think this may be related to that hose that gets plugged up once-in-a-while. We’ll have to have it cleaned out.
Thanks.
Uh oh. I meant to say it does NET seem to use a lot of water. Sorry.
johnnygeneric
NOT! NOT! NOT! Someone please help me!! I can’t type worth a hoot!
it is so loud and drying takes a long time. loads have to be small so your always washing. on its spin cycle it vibrates so much the whole apartment shakes i really feel bad for the people under me. it is load never wash while u sleeping. good side it is enery rated
Are you sure you removed the shipping bolts? Mine was a nightmare the first time I used it, rocking so wildly I thought it was going to bring down the house. Then I read the warning about removing the shipping bolts – low and behold, the installer hadn’t done so, and once I removed the bolts the machine worked beautifully. Double check?
We found one in a condo we rented for a week -”complete with washer and dryer.”. I was totally dismayed to find that the washer and dryer were not separate items but the LG combo! Since there are five of us and we brought only three sets of clothes each inorder to save packing space, planning on doing a load of laundry each morning / night, the LG is NOT appreciated! If it would even go from wash to dry automatically it would help, but it does it’s wash cycle while we’re out for the day, then we have to set it to dry when we return. I’m going to have to find a laundromat today just so I won’t have to spent all day sitting here watching the LG being inefficient!
Had mine for 6 months, worked pretty well but now I have drying problems. It stops short of a normal drying time and leaves clothes very damp. In fact as a test I tossed in one dry t-shirt and after 10 minutes of Drying it came out damp. From what I read I think the drain hose or parts in the machine are clogged. but you can only get to it by opening up the machine, which is crazy. But I can’t even do that because I can’t find a service manual anywhere. Any one else solve this problem or find a service manual?