Most modern automatic washing machines can do more than just wash clothes, but whether they can dry laundry depends on the type of machine.
- Standard washing machines: They use a high-speed spin cycle to remove a large amount of water from clothes. This makes clothes much less wet, but they are not completely dry. They still need to be air-dried or placed in a separate dryer.
- Washer-dryer combo machines: These machines have a built-in drying function. After washing, you can select the drying program, and the machine uses heat to dry the clothes so they are ready to wear or fold.
Many people are unaware of how to use the drying-related features correctly. Here are some useful details:
- Spin speed matters: Selecting a higher spin speed (such as 1200–1400 RPM) removes more water, reducing drying time afterward.
- Drying mode (washer-dryer combos only): You can choose options like cupboard dry, iron dry, or timed drying, depending on how dry you want the clothes.
- Load size: Most washer-dryer combos can dry a smaller load than they can wash. For example, a machine that washes 8 kg may only dry 5 kg at a time.
- Fabric care: Delicate fabrics, wool, and some synthetic materials may not be suitable for heat drying. Always check the garment care label.
- Energy use: The drying function uses much more electricity than washing alone.
So, it is not true that every washing machine can fully dry laundry. Every washing machine can reduce the amount of water in clothes through spinning, but only machines with a built-in drying feature can completely dry clothes.