Everyday tasks like laundry have been made easier with advancements in modern technology and inventions like the washing machine. Purportedly, newer models have an added feature, a built-in dryer but do they really work?
Advancements in Features
A washing machine serves an important role in the everyday upkeep of a home. Thankfully, the modern-day laundry wizard has numerous features like a sanitary cycle to help keep your clothes and linens fresh and clean. Interestingly, the newest models boast another fascinating feature. The new machines are being advertised as a washer-dryer combo, “aiming to provide a seamless experience.”
How Does the Washing Machine Dry Clothes?
The washer-dryer combo purportedly has both functions in a cycle. First, you run the clothes in the washing machine on the desired cycle. Then, the unit goes into the spin cycle, removing excess water. Lastly, the part of the cycle when clothes are dried.
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Final Step of Drying Clothes in the Washing Machine
The next step will depend on what kind of washing machine you have. For instance, a fully automatic unit will continue to the next cycle, spinning and drying clothes. Meanwhile, a semi-automatic machine will require you to physically move the clothes from one part of the machine to another for the drying cycle. The dry cycle will spin excess water and remove moisture by adding warm air to speed up evaporation.
Furthermore, some modern-day washing machines and dryer combos house an added heating element to warm the inside.
Downsides of a Washing Machine and Dryer Combo
Although the washing machine that doubles as a dryer is a great idea, particularly for those with limited space, there are a few downsides.
Sadly, the washer-dryer combo doesn’t work as well as a stand-alone dryer. Therefore, clothes may come out damp and must be hung or spun again to dry fully. Ironing the remaining moisture may help remove dampness more quickly.
Other Factors Apply
Meanwhile, a stand-alone dryer has better airflow and ventilation. Therefore, it dries clothes quicker than a washing machine with a built-in drying component. Additionally, factors like fabric type, machine settings, and load size play a role in how well the unit dries laundry.
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Appliances with Additional Features
So in short, the washing machine may not be the most effective option for drying clothes, but some offer the feature and in certain situations, it can be helpful. Moreover, the washing machine isn’t the only appliance with additional features.
For example, some dishwashers have bottle spouts that spray water directly into bottles and glasses to ensure they’re cleaned properly. Meanwhile, microwaves made after 2023 have “a two-step process for opening microwave doors to help mitigate the risk of children being burned or scalded by cooked food,” according to Underwriters Laboratories.
Ovens with Hidden Features
Another helpful hidden feature is removable doors. While not all ovens, washers, and dryers have this option, some have removable and reversible doors to easily clean them to switch sides. Namely, if they’re installed with the doors facing back to back, rather than open to make transferring easier. Lastly, some ovens have a steam cleaning option to help easily and quickly remove caked-on and burnt foods.
History of the Washing Machine
The modern-day unit has come a long way since its early days, significantly different from the first models. The first models were washing tubs with a handle attached to a circular disk, resembling a broom. They were most popular in London in the mid to late 1700s and an early model for a 19th-century version. Later, a portable mill was invented. In its place, a washing machine was patented by John Turnbull decades later, in 1843. By the early 1900s, Louis Goldenberg, an engineer at Ford Motor Company, had invented the first electric unit.
The unit was a “drum-type” unit with an electric motor but the motor wasn’t protected and frequently shorted out. However, the washing machine was introduced again in 1911 by Whirlpool Corporation, formerly Upton Machine Co. It has since undergone design transformations and has new features added including the dryer feature that some new models boast.
Read More: This thrifty dad bought a washing machine and was stunned by the surprise he found inside
Sources
- “7 Cool Features Hiding in Your Household Appliances.” Interesting Facts
- “The Washing Machine.” Inventions Handbook
- “Do washing machines dry clothes completely?” Unboxed. Karthekayan Iyer. June 27, 2024