lazybean's Full Review: LG WM3431 Front Load All-in-One Washer / Dryer
(I've owned this machine for 5 days and used it once a day. These are my early impressions, and I will update after I've had more experience with using it.)
Six months ago I moved into a cute little apartment, which was perfect for me except for one thing - there was no washer/dryer hookup. I did a LOT of research on combination washer/dryers. The concept is great for small apartments because you can hook it up to your sink, plug it into a regular outlet, and it doesn't need to be vented. Although I loved the idea, I put off buying one because of the price. I began to lug my laundry to the laundromat.
I finally broke down and decided to buy the LG WM3431. Of all of the washer-dryer combos, LGs tend to have the highest ratings. I ordered it online and it came in a little over a week. I also ordered an extended warranty and the "portability kit" that the company offered. This consisted of 4 wheels and a sink adapter. On second thought, it probably would have been cheaper to forget the wheels and buy a sink adapter from a hardware store.
Installation:
The machine was not difficult to set up. I put it in the corner of my bedroom directly next to the bathroom so that I can hook up the hoses to my bathroom sink. It drains to the sink, also - make sure you secure the drain hose so that it doesn't fly around and spray all over the place! I do have the machine on wheels and a hardwood floor. The reviews I have read have recommended placing a mat underneath the machine to help with vibrations, which I plan to do.
Instruction manual:
The machine is not that hard to use, but the instruction manual is horrible. I learned more by reading the self-service section at http://us.lgservice.com.
Washing/drying time:
This machine takes a lot longer than regular washers and dryers. I could finish two week's worth of laundry at the laundromat in an hour and a half. This machine will take at least 3 to 4 hours to do one small load. To me, the convenience of being able to do my laundry at home outweighs the extended time requirements.
Load size and balancing:
It's really important to consider the number, size, and weight of the items when you are loading the machine. If the machine is unbalanced, it will toss the clothes and won't start washing (or rinsing, or spinning) until it corrects itself. This significantly lengthens the washing time. I question how energy-efficient it will be if it's spending so much time just tossing the clothes around. The balancing problem is the most annoying during the spin cycle because the machine gets noisy as it starts and stops spinning. I'm getting better at loading the machine; I've found that smaller loads are definitely best, with a mix of large, medium, and small items. For example, right now I am washing a pair of dress pants, a button-down shirt, a camisole, a pair of underwear, and a pair of socks, without a problem so far.
Noise and vibrations:
A lot of people have complained about noise and vibrations. I live on the second floor of an old house, converted into apartments. I have the machine on wheels and a wooden floor. The machine does get loud during the spin and dry cycles. It only shakes during the spin cycle, which doesn't last for too long if the machine is balanced correctly. If I'm in the other room, I can barely hear it. Since it's in my bedroom, I wouldn't be able to run it while I was sleeping. Other than that, it's tolerable.
Cleaning and drying:
It does seem to get clothes really clean, and it dries well too. After reading reviews I was expecting the laundry to be wet or at least damp after the drying cycle, but I was pleasantly surprised. Some of them felt damp when I took them out, but once I shook them once they were immediately dry. Even my towels were completely dry.
Wrinkles:
Some clothes (for example, dress pants) do come out pretty wrinkled if you use the "normal" setting. I'm trying out the permanent press cycle right now with "low temp" drying. I'm hoping that will help with the wrinkles.
Energy efficiency:
According to the documentation that came with my machine it is supposed to cost only $17 a year (in electricity costs) to run. I'll give an update when I get my next few electric bills. The machine doesn't seem to use very much water. I pay a flat monthly utility fee to my landlady, which includes water, so I won't know if there's a significant increase in water usage unless she complains about it. I've been using high-efficiency detergent and fabric softer by Method and Seventh-Generation. You only have to use a tiny amount, which is great.
Child lock:
The machine has a child lock feature which is supposed to prevent children from opening the machine while it's running or from climbing inside the drum. When it finishes running, or when you press pause/stop, you have to wait 2 minutes before you can open the door. This is very annoying.
Aesthetics:
I think the machine looks nice, even in my bedroom. It has character; I'm a sucker for cute and I love that it lights up and chimes at me when I turn it on. Some people have complained about the chimes, but I don't find them annoying at all.
Overall, I am happy with my purchase so far. It's definitely more convenient to be able to do laundry at home, whenever I want. So far I would recommend this machine for someone who doesn't have a washer/dryer hookup and is sick of going to the laundromat.
LG WM3431W All-In-One Front Load White Washer And Dryer Combo - WM3431WH/ 2.44 Cu. Ft. Capacity/ NeveRust Stainless Steel Drum/ 1400 RPM Maximum Spin ...More at Abt Electronics
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