Should You Replace Both Washer And Dryer? What Are Pros And Cons?

Washers and dryers go hand-in-hand, but what happens when one of them stops working?

Should you replace it alone, or should you replace both the washer and the dryer together?

While it may seem counterintuitive at first, when one appliance dies, you should replace both of them together.

You should replace both the washer and dryer together because the odds are that when one stops working, the other one will soon become faulty as well. Remember: you bought them both together (or around the same time), and you use them one after the other every time you do laundry. So, it’s safe to assume that they’ll experience wear and tear equally.

In this article, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about replacing your washer and dryer together as a set.

We’ll go through the pros and cons, as well as other options you may want to consider along the way.

Pros and cons of replacing both washer and dryer

So, why is it a good idea to replace both your washer and dryer together?

Matching designs

For many people, it’s important that their electrical appliances match in design. It’s not just about matching colors and styles, either. 

When you buy a washer and dryer from the same brand and product line, even their settings and controls will be the same.

That way, using both machines to do your daily laundry will be much simpler.

Better performance

When you buy a washer and dryer from the same company (and at the same time), you’ll find that they’ll have features that complement each other.

As a result, you’ll find that they work well together as a team. 

One common example is when it comes to capacities. Whenever you wash a full load of laundry in the washer, you can rest assured that your dryer can fit the same amount of clothes as well, keeping your entire laundry session very efficient.

Some brands also build complementary functions in both their washers and dryers, too.

For example, you can find brands’ product lines that include washers and dryers both using steam as a key element.

Your washer will give you the stain-busting benefits of steam, while your dryer will use steam to cut down on how many wrinkles you’ll see on your fabrics!

Easier maintenance and repairs

All home appliances need maintenance from time to time, including your washer and dryer.

If you replace them together as a set, you can keep them on a matching maintenance schedule.

Keeping them in good working order will be less of a hassle when you’re taking care of both of them at the same time.

Plus, fixing them up when they run into trouble will also be much more straightforward.

The chances are that matching washers and dryers will also use similar spare parts, or at the very least, you can get all the parts you need from the same source.

Warranties

Replacing both your washer and dryer together will also help you out when it comes to warranties.

Firstly, their warranty coverage should last the same amount of time, especially since that coverage begins on the day you buy both of those appliances.

Plus, if you run into any issues or faults covered by that warranty, you’ll only have to call one company regardless of whether it’s your washer or dryer that’s affected.

Cons of replacing your washer and dryer together

Of course, replacing your washer and dryer at the same time isn’t without its challenges.

When you’re asking, “Should I replace both washer and dryer?” the answer should also consider these factors:

Higher upfront costs

Buying a matching washer and dryer together might be more efficient in the long run.

No matter what promotions or discounts you might find yourself entitled to, the fact remains that you’ll be paying for two appliances at the same time.

For some people, that might not be easy to do, or at the very least you’ll need to save up first.

Learning curve

New appliances always involve a little bit of a learning curve, especially if you’ve grown used to using the ones you had before.

If you’re the type that needs to read the instruction manual and practice for a bit, it’ll be a bit challenging to adjust to not just one brand new appliance, but two at the same time.

Miss out on certain advantages

Some people have very specific preferences. To them, one company might make better washers, while others make better dryers.

When you choose to replace them with matching appliances rather than different ones, you might miss out on certain advantages offered by different brands.

Of course, this is a trade-off or a sacrifice that you might make in exchange for the many benefits mentioned earlier.

When is it time to replace the washing machine and dryer?

Now that we know the pros and cons involved in changing your washer and dryer at the same time, we come to our next question: when should you replace these machines? 

Firstly, you should consider the age of your appliances. If they’re still relatively new and are covered by their warranties, you might not want to change both of them just yet. It’s still worth it to get them fixed if they’re facing any problems.

But if they’re old and no longer fall under the warranty, then here are some clear-cut signs hat you should replace your washing machine and dryer.

Water is leaking onto the floor

Washers and dryers both deal with a lot of water and moisture. So, if they’re leaking water onto the floor, that’s a good sign that it’s time to say goodbye to them.

When water leaks from any of these two machines, it could be a sign that some gaskets or rubber seals are worn out.

Worse still, it could be a hole caused by rust over an extended period.

Water no longer fills the drum

As mentioned before, leaks are bad. But if it comes to a point where water can’t even fill up the drum to full, then you know that the machine has become completely useless.

What good is a washing machine if you can’t even get water in it to wash your clothes?

Excessive noise during a cycle

The drums inside washers and dryers spin when they’re in operation.

However, there are parts inside that ensure that spinning happens smoothly and without too much noise.

If there is an unusual amount of noise coming from the machine, that could be another sign that the parts supporting the drum have gotten worn out. That’s a clear sign that you should replace the machine.

Violent shaking or movement during a cycle

Excessive noise is one thing, but if your washer or dryer starts shaking violently during a cycle, it’s time to unplug it and get a new machine.

Washers and dryers both involve spinning a drum for one or more cycles, but excessive shaking or movement during a cycle can be quite dangerous.

It could mean that the parts holding that drum securely in the machine have worn out, and you’re putting yourself in danger by continuing to use the machine.

Is it cheaper to buy washer and dryer together?

Yes and no. But let me tell you what I mean by that.

When you buy a washer and dryer together, you could save some money.

You see, washer and dryer manufacturers and the stores that sell these machines, they understand that many people often buy both of them together at the same time.

So, they might offer you promotions or discounts to entice you into buying their appliances. Heck, you might even get stores that offer you a few freebies to sweeten the deal!

But as mentioned earlier, you have to remember that you’re still buying two appliances at the same time.

So, you’ll still pay a high upfront cost to buy your washer and dryer together. For some people, buying both machines simultaneously could be a little too challenging for their cashflow.

But for those who do have the cash on hand, sure, they could find it cheaper overall to buy both machines together and benefit from whatever discounts are on offer.

Do washer dryer combos work?

As you shop around for new washers and dryers, you might feel tempted to invest in a washer dryer combo.

These machines seem like common sense innovations; since you’re going to wash and dry your clothes back-to-back, why not get one machine that does both?

Well, hold your horses. As tempting as it might be, washer dryer combos are not the solution to your problems.

To put it simply, washers are specially-designed to wash, and dryers are made to dry.

Every part of each machine is designed to specialize in its one overall function. But when get a machine that tries to multitask and juggle both roles, it ends up doing a less-effective job at both.

When it comes to washers and dryers, it’s best to get one specialized machine for each function.

Each machine will do what they do best, and as a result, your clothes can also do their job: making you look your best each and every day.