The more traditional set up in the home is with a stacked washing and drying machine. These usually have the washer at the bottom and clothes have to be physically moved from the washer to the dryer above between laundering cycles. A washer dryer combo is smaller and does both washing and drying cycles within the same appliance.

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.

The machines come either as vented or ventless. A vented appliance requires the dryer exhaust to be ventilated through a vent hole which connects to an outside wall. Some kitchens already have vents through which to connect your machine.

Non vented or ventless machines dry the garments from within the drum and the extracted steam is pulled out of the drum, through a condenser leaving water which is collected in a tray. This water needs to be regularly emptied. The drying cycle of these appliances takes longer than a single dedicated vented machine.

Garments are usually loaded through the top of the machine, which is covered with a hinged lid. During the wash cycle, the outermost tub is filled up with sufficient water to suspend the garments within the basket. The motion of the agitator draws the clothing downwards in the center of the drum toward the agitator paddles.

Clothes may be taken out of the machine after the wash cycle and hung up to dry in the fresh air. If you still prefer to dry any of the garments, you just set the dryer component and begin the cycle midway along the spin cycle.

Clothes drying machines may cost anywhere from $200 to $1,400, dependent upon whether you need a full-sized machine or a compact one. Clothing and additional items do not require washing in one appliance and then taken out and put into a separate appliance for drying out.

These washer dryer combo machines are particularly favorable in launderettes as one machine takes up the space of one and so there is more space for more appliances. A drying cycle can last anywhere from one hour to up to four hours and can be a long wait for freshly dried clothes. Using two separate machines would be quicker however.

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

Clothes drying out cabinets are quite a new addition to the laundry room. As the name suggests, they allow you to air dry clothes, especially those particular clothes that cannot go within the dryer, in a lot less time than with conventional air drying. Clothes drying out racks are made of a few poles about which you can hang up your garments. These stands can be folded up when not in use and are movable, so you are able to carry them about even whilst traveling.