What Kind of Drying Do These Machines Do?
There are two types of drying features found in washing machines:
1. Spin Drying
Most standard washing machines have a high-speed spin cycle designed to extract as much moisture as possible from your clothes. This doesn’t generate heat but uses centrifugal force to remove water—leaving your clothes significantly drier and reducing the time they’ll need on a line or in a dryer.
✅ Great for: Everyday laundry
⏱ Time-saving: Cuts drying time in half
2. Washer-Dryer Combo Units
Some front-loaders are actually washer-dryer combo machines, meaning they wash and dry clothes in one cycle. These often use condensation drying (without a vent), making them perfect for apartments or small spaces. Still, many users never explore the drying options available on their control panels.
✅ Great for: Small spaces, one-appliance homes
🧺 Tip: Don’t overload the drum—it reduces drying effectiveness.
How to Tell If Your Washer Can Dry Clothes
Look for buttons or settings labeled:
Spin Only
Air Dry
Dry
Wash & Dry
TurboWash or EcoDry
Check your machine’s manual—or look it up online using the model number. You might be surprised to find that your appliance is more capable than you realized.
Why This Matters
Energy Efficiency: Using the spin-dry function reduces energy needed by a standalone dryer.
Time Savings: Clothes dry faster on the line or drying rack.
Less Wear and Tear: Spin drying is gentler than heat drying, which can shrink or damage some fabrics.
Space Saving: Washer-dryer combos are ideal for small homes, dorms, or RVs.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to overlook features we don’t fully understand, especially when appliances come with dozens of buttons and symbols. But the next time you finish a load of laundry, take a second look at your washing machine. That “extra spin” or hidden dry cycle could be the laundry game-changer you never knew you needed.
So yes, while not every single washer dries laundry, many can help more than we give them credit for—and that alone is worth exploring
