Monthly Archives: October 2014

How Washers and Dryers Have Changed over the Years

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Household laundry has changed over the years as technology has improved. Depending on how old you are, you might remember your parents or grandparents washing clothes in large archaic tubs with exposed gears, wringing attachments, and other components, and then hanging the clothes outside on a clothesline to dry. These early washing machines meant spending hours of manual labor to wash and rinse clothes. It required heating water in a big pot on a stove top to fill the machine, draining the washing drum, and refilling it with cold water to rinse the clothes. Fortunately, today, you have it much easier with a wide range of laundry appliance options, including the new combination washer dryer, stand-alone washer dryers, and stackable washer dryers.

Even with the invention of semi-automatic and automatic washing machines, during the late 1940s, people were far from being able to load the washer, select a cycle, and walk away. Many of these early models required user interaction at various cycle stages, such as adding detergent during the wash cycle or remembering to add fabric softener at the right time. Some models even required moving clothes from the washing tub to a rinsing tub. Many of these early models remained fairly unchanged and were on the market until well into the 1970s.

In the 1970s, technology started to change as computer technology was advancing. Washer and dryer manufacturers could now offer fully automated models to allow people to select cycles and walk away, while the machines ran without any user interaction. As personal computers became popular in the 1980s, laundry manufacturers realized the potential microprocessors and computer chips would have if they were incorporated into washer and dryer designs. However, it was not until the 1990s that this technology first started being incorporated into new washers and dryers.

Thanks to the advancements in technology, people today have access to energy-efficient laundry solutions for their home, to make their lives easier and simpler. To learn more about combination washer dryer models, or other modern machines, feel free to contact us at 800-875-1533.

How to Install a Washer Dryer in One in Your Kitchen

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For homes without a central laundry room, one suggested installation location for a washer dryer in one is in your kitchen underneath your countertop. Installing the washer dryer combo is not difficult if you are capable of performing do-it-yourself tasks on your own. Otherwise, it is recommended you hire a qualified contractor to do the work.

  1. Measure the width of the all-in-one washer dryer and select a location where a cabinet is at least two inches wider — ideally next to the sink base cabinet.
  2. Carefully remove the countertop above the cabinet and remove the cabinet.
  3. Tap hot and cold water lines, and the drain pipe underneath the sink. Cut holes in the side of the sink base cabinet to run the hose connections from the appliance to underneath the sink, and attach them to the newly tapped lines.
  4. Slide the appliance in place, making sure there is at least one inch of clearance on both sides and sufficient clearance in the back.
  5. Connect the discharge hose and water hoses to the washer dryer in one. Turn on the water and check for leaks.
  6. Plug the all-in-one washer dryer into a standard 3-prong household outlet, such as the same one your garbage disposal plugs into under the sink. If you have to plug it into a wall outlet, carefully cut a groove into the back of the countertop in the right location.
  7. Reinstall the countertop.

After installation, you are ready to start doing laundry. There is no need to worry about installing a dryer vent since the combination washer dryer uses ventless drying.

Order your new washer and dryer in one today by visiting our online store, or by calling us at 800-875-1533.