<p>We’re planning to put a washer dryer combo in my parents bathroom and I’m looking for recommendations. The reviews on-line seem to vary widely. We want the stacked, apartment style because of it’s small footprint. My folks don’t generate a lot of laundry so no need for a large tub. Their current w/d is in the basement and the stairs with laundry in tow is getting to be more difficult.</p>
<p>For most of my childhood, my mother had combination washer/dryers (one machine does both jobs) because of the space issue. That could work for them too. The models my mother had all were front loaders. If either of your parents have a back issue, I’m sure there would be a way to elevate one of these machines to make them more accessible.</p>
<p>We looked into a machine that does both but there is no dealer near them that sells one and they are hundreds of dollars more then the up and down combo. Neither has back issues and my Mom is short and still very flexible so that’s not a concern. I think an all-in-one is a great idea, wish they were common.</p>
<p>We have a Kenmore stackable in our beach house. Perfectly useable, although the capacity is tiny. (think 2 bath towels and maybe a hand towel). </p>
<p>Another option are high-end models from Europe that are both a washer & dryer in one machine. There was a CC thread on them in the past month.</p>
<p>Son’s current apartment has a dual machine in it but he prefers the floor coin machines. Dual machines have a very limited capacity and you have to leave room for drying- no stuffing the machine full. You also can’t do a second load while the first is drying. Be sure the washer and dryer can handle a load of bedding- it would be a pain to spend a full day just washing that with multiple loads. My childhood neighbors put the plumbing in a bedroom backing up to the bathroom for their mom’s washer and dryer when she could no longer navigate the basement stairs.</p>
<p>nj2011mom, We were talking about the all-in-one machines in the first couple of posts. They don’t sell them close to where my parents live so they’re not really an option. </p>
<p>The way my Mom is doing the laundry now is just a bit at a time because she just can’t haul a full load’s worth of stuff up and down the basement. That said, two bath towels and a hand towel seems REALLY small!</p>
<p>I think doing a little load every other day would be reasonable.</p>
<p>kathiep, no advice on brand. Just want to say that I think that they will love it! Not having to carry laundry up and down from the basement is going to be heavenly. They will wonder why they did not do this sooner! Also, I think it reduces the chances of a fall.</p>
<p>I think we have the 24" unit, but I see you are looking at the 27" unit, which has a 3.3 cf capacity. Putting that in perspective, the standard Rubbermaid hip-hugger laundry basket has a 1.5 bushel capacity, which equals 1.9 cf, so they should be OK. (the 24" unit only has a 1.5 cf capacity)</p>
<p>Thanks nj2011mom - I was really putting ratings above capacity, but now that it’s been mentioned a couple of times, I guess I was heading in the right direction. I appreciate the laundry basket comparison!</p>
<p>Yes, I too am worried about a fall. With both of them not being 100%, I don’t want to worry about anyone trying to rescue the other.</p>
<p>My son has a full-sized Bosch washer-dryer set stacked in a closet in his condo. It just barely fits, but it does fit. I liked the washer so much I bought one just like it even though I have plenty of space. (My old dryer still works, so I didn’t buy the set.)</p>
<p>Thought I would update this thread as it has a surprise ending!</p>
<p>We ended up buying a all-in-one model washer and dryer - [LG</a> WM3455HS 24" Front Load Compact Washer/Dryer Combo with 2.7 cu. ft. Capacity, 9 Wash Cycles, 6 Dry Cycles, 1300 RPM Spin Speed, LoDecibel Quiet Operation, SenseClean and Ventless: Silver](<a href=“Google Shopping - Product not found”>Google Shopping - Product not found) </p>
<p>After much researching and talking to my parents, it was decided that not having to deal with moving heavy wet clothes to the dryer was more important then having a nearby repair place. The only downside seems to be a very long wash and dry cycle and a smaller then normal tub, but my folks are both heavy sleepers and don’t need to do huge loads, so I think that will work out. They can just put in a load at night and program it to start any time they want. My husband found it at a good price on-line and it was delivered last week. Husband and son installed it over the weekend. Everyone is happy!</p>