Stackable washing machine and dryer units usually have the washer on the bottom and a dryer at the top. It necessitates users to physically move clothes from the washing machine to the dryer between the washing cycles. An all-in-one unit is a lot smaller, doing both laundering and drying out cycles within the same machine.

These combination appliances are great for areas where space is a premium. As both the washer and dryer are located within the single machine they require much less room than two machines sat side by side or stacked on top of each other.

Appliances come either as vented or ventless. With a vented machine the dryer exhaust outflow must be connected through the ceiling vent-hole already in-situ within the bathroom or laundry if that's where you intend to put your machine. A lot of kitchens also have vents to allow connection of your appliance.

Ventless appliances by condensing the steam produced from the washing from inside the drum. This produces water which is collected in a tray within the machine. The water in this tray needs to emptied on a regular basis. The drying cycle with a combo machine takes longer than with a separate dryer.

Items of clothing are normally loaded into the top of the appliance and is covered by a locking hinged lid. During the washing phase, the garments are drawn towards the centre of the drum and down into the machine. At the centre the clothes are further agitated with central paddles.

After the washing cycle has finished, the clothes can be removed, as normal and hung up to dry. If you prefer, you can set the machine to dry and it will usually go onto the drying cycle automatically after the wash has finished.

Dryers can cost anywhere from two hundred to fifteen hundred dollars depending on the size of the machine. Any clothing and additional garments do not need washing in one machine and then being transferred to another separate machine.

These appliances are very popular in commercial launderettes as the combo machine takes up the space of two machines which allows more machines to be installed in the business. It does take longer, anywhere from one to four hours to extract clean dry clothes. Using two separate machines does make the whole process quicker though.

A clothes drying rack or clothes horse is a good alternative to a separate dryer or combo machine. They are very effective and extremely cost efficient. They can also be quite easily to build yourself and it is possible to be quite imaginative with the design

A relatively new addition to the laundry room is the drying out cabinet. They allow you to air dry clothes which is good if you have clothes that cannot be put into a dryer. You can put your newly made drying out rack in it as well and then fold it and store it away afterwards.