Is A Washer-Dryer Combo The Solution To Tiny House Laundry?

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Tiny WasherTop Five PIcksHow To ChooseNot All Homes

When I made the shift to tiny home life, some things were an easy transition. I like grilling in my yard and relaxing with a book in the evenings — those things were simple to do in my new space. Other things, like figuring out how to keep my clothes clean, all while fitting the necessary appliances in my space and figuring out how to power them off-grid, were a bit more of a puzzle. There are a lot of factors to consider and detangle when choosing a washer-dryer combo for a tiny home.

Hi, I’m Ryan

As a tiny-house dweller for over a decade, I’ve had to learn the best way to shrink and downsize basic household tasks and chores. Keeping up with laundry was an epic journey of trial and error, but I’ve finally got it down to a science, and I learned a thing or two about washer-dryer combos on the way.

Can You Have A Washer-Dryer Combo In A Tiny House?

My Top 5 Tiny House Washer-Dryer Combos

• GIANTEX Full Automatic Portable Washer and Spin Dryer
• LG Smart 24 Inch Washer/Dryer Combo
• Equator Compact Combo Washer Dryer
• COMFEE Washer and Dryer Combo
• GE Front Load Washer/Condenser Dryer Combo

	GIANTEX Full Auto	LG Smart 24″ Washer/Dryer	Equator Compact	Comfee Washer Dryer	GE Front Load Washer
My Ranking
Dimensions	16.5” x 16” x 29.5″	22.5” x 24” x 33.5″	22” x 23.5” x 33.5″	23.5” x 23.5” x 33.5″	33.25″ x 23.5” x 25.7”
Capacity	7.7 lbs	2.4 qts	1.6 cu. ft.	2.7 cu. ft.	2.4 cu. ft.
Voltage	120V	120V	110V	120V	120V
Why Consider	Extremely compact	High efficiency	Vented or ventless	Child lock	Ventless
Who Is It Best For	Homes of single residents with simple needs	Couples or families with moderate needs, or pets	Single or double occupancy homes	Small Families or individuals with demanding needs	Families or homes with multiple residents, pets, etc.
Price	$229	$1,379	$1,129	$981	$1,399
	BUY NOW	BUY NOW	BUY NOW	BUY NOW	BUY NOW

GIANTEX Full Automatic Portable Washer and Spin Dryer

GIANTEX Full Auto
My Ranking
Dimensions	16.5” x 16” x 29.5″
Capacity	7.7 lbs
Voltage	120V
Why Consider	Extremely compact
Who Is It Best For	Homes of single residents with simple needs
Price	$229
BUY NOW

The smallest washer-dryer combo on my list, this is a solid option for a single-dweller tiny home, a camper, RV, or for someone with a minimal need for washing. While it can’t accommodate large loads like a comforter, it will meet the daily washing needs of most minimalists. I was able to wash a set of queen-sized sheets in here though!

This mini appliance will easily fit into more spaces than a traditional-sized washer and dryer. Its small size doesn’t mean its functionality is limited, though.I It still offers the features larger models do, such as the ability to choose from three different load sizes and between wash, rinse, and spin cycles.

Weighing in at less than 38 lbs, it’s easy to move this unit. This really came in clutch when I had to move the unit around for deep cleaning and replacing my laundry room floors. One drawback to this style is that it’s top-loading, meaning you’ll have to give up any dreams of stacking storage or laundry supplies on top. The end-of-cycle signal was also a little much — I thought a semi was backing up through the laundry room.

LG WM3555HVA Smart 24 Inch Washer/Dryer Combo

LG Smart 24″ Washer/Dryer
My Ranking
Dimensions	22.5” x 24” x 33.5″
Capacity	2.4 qts
Voltage	120V
Why Consider	High efficiency
Who Is It Best For	Couples or families with moderate needs, or pets
Price	$1,379
BUY NOW

This is one of the higher-end washer-dryer combo models from a brand I have always trusted. Taking about four hours per standard load, it offers a number of features that make it an appealing choice, including smart functionality features, which are something I always like to use when available to simplify my life.

With Wi-Fi enabled, it’s possible to control it by an app, so you can use remote cycle starts as well as see the time remaining in a cycle. Built-in sensors detect the level of dryness, meaning that it operates efficiently, ending the cycle once drying is complete, with no excess energy expended. If you run your home on solar power, like me, this will no doubt come in handy.

There are 14 wash cycles to choose from, and 13 dry cycles, making it a good choice for everything from baby clothes and delicates to linens and pet bedding. My friends with pets love that this model offers specific functions to remove 95% of pet dander.

This is another front-loading model, which I find works best in a tiny home, so you can use the space above the machine. Its ventless operation means that the location in your tiny home is up to you. This one is compact enough that I know people who use it in RVs and motor homes. It’s a good all-over choice meeting the needs of many.

Equator Compact Combo Washer Dryer

Equator Compact
My Ranking
Dimensions	22” x 23.5” x 33.5″
Capacity	1.6 cu. ft.
Voltage	110V
Why Consider	Vented or ventless
Who Is It Best For	Single or double occupancy homes
Price	$1,129
BUY NOW

This is a solid, reasonably priced option for a home with one or two residents. Its capacity is on the smaller side, but it can still accommodate a load of several bath towels or bedsheets, which I think makes it a good choice for the regular needs of a home.

This is a reliable unit, also popular with RV dwellers, offering a number of cycle tweaks to meet the needs of your washing. I like to keep my cleaning routine on a regular schedule, and that’s easy with appliances like this, which include electronic perks such as the ability to schedule a wash for a time in the future, and a bar showing the progress of the wash cycle (which I loved, because I can get impatient waiting for my laundry to finish so I can move on to the next task).

This washer-dryer also has an anti-wrinkle function in the drying cycle. The unit was actually really quiet, so I was able to do laundry during the workday without it distracting me or interrupting meetings. As it’s possible to choose between vented or ventless operation, this model can be situated in various places within a tiny home.

COMFEE Washer and Dryer Combo

Comfee Washer Dryer
My Ranking
Dimensions	23.5” x 23.5” x 33.5″
Capacity	2.7 cu. ft.
Voltage	120V
Why Consider	Child lock
Who Is It Best For	Small Families or individuals with demanding needs
Price	$981
BUY NOW

This model offers the largest capacity of the ones I recommend for tiny homes. I like that it is both energy efficient and runs more quietly than others because of its brushless inverter motor. Because of this, it’s a hefty machine, at 160 lbs, meaning that this model is not as easy to move from location to location, or to clean behind. Think carefully about the location before you situate it in your space.

It offers some useful functions, like the ability to pause a load and add something you forgot, as well as special settings for different materials and functions, like washing wool clothes, or steaming items. A child lock ensures that no prying fingers interrupt a load, which is important to think about in a tiny home, where the washer is often integrated into a living space, not hidden away in a basement or dedicated laundry room.

The drying cycle can take up to 4-5 hours for the bulkiest loads (which was too long for me) so the quiet running is an important factor, since many will likely want to run a wash cycle overnight.

GE Front Load Washer/Condenser Dryer Combo

GE Front Load Washer
My Ranking
Dimensions	33″ x 23.5” x 25.7”
Capacity	2.4 cu. ft.
Voltage	120V
Why Consider	Ventless
Who Is It Best For	Families or homes with multiple residents, pets, etc.
Price	$1,399
BUY NOW

This model, similar in format to traditional home washers, is well suited to a family with regular ongoing laundry needs, or even a family with pets. The larger capacity of this model means that laundry can be done less frequently and larger items can be washed at home.

Several bells and whistles are included in the design, like the ability to program a load for a later start, to lock the machine and prevent interruption from children (although the start/pause option is very useful), and various LED indicators. There are several wash cycles to choose from, as well as a dry cycle clocking in at around 2.5 hours, which is fairly standard for these washer-dryer combo units.

Drying can be tailored for specific items and materials being washed, from no heat, to low heat, or normal heat.

Because it’s ventless, it could easily be used in a variety of locations without needing to build a duct to the outdoors, but that does mean things take a little longer to dry.

How To Choose A Tiny House Washer-Dryer Combo

When choosing a washer-dryer combo, there are a few factors to consider. I found that the color or style of an appliance just wasn’t going to matter as much as whether it actually fit into the space available, or whether my power supply could handle the load — that is, without compromising the other devices I was running at the same time. There are a lot of advantages to going off the grid — but be aware of the potential challenges first.

Consider Energy Demand

The power setup at your house might be the most important decision factor. Washer-dryer combo models often take a great deal of time to complete a cycle. If you are running one for 4-6 hours or more, is your power grid robust enough to allow you to do everything else you need to do during that time?

Consider Size And Dimensions

The dimensions of a washer-dryer combo become paramount in a tiny home. Additionally, whether the model is front-loading or top-loading is important. Depending on where you plan to situate this appliance in your home, and considering the plumbing (where it will drain) and the venting (though some models are ventless), you may want to locate something above it, which would render top-loading models unfeasible.

Consider Your Routine And How It Might Change

Not All Tiny Houses Need Washer-Dryers

I wanted to find the right model for my home, and I tried multiple options, but at the end of the day, I chose none of them.

The energy need of a washer-dryer combo proved too large a drain for the solar power setup I had at the time. I did the math and realized that, with the minimal amount of clothing and linens I owned, I could outsource the task to an external service for six years for the same price as a washer-dryer combo. Considering the average expected use life of modern appliances, this seemed worth it.

You can also use a hybrid approach, by having a smaller two-in-one washer-dryer in your home, for everyday needs, and outsourcing seasonal needs or bulkier items, like coats and comforters, to dry cleaners. After all, tiny home life is about moving away from doing what everyone else does, and figuring out what works for you.

Tiny House Washer-Dryer Combo Design Inspiration Photos

Here are some ideas how you can build in tiny house combo washer/dryers into your own tiny house design. When you’re planning your own tiny house laundry room also keep in mind the weight distribution on your trailer! Washer dryer combos can take up a lot of space, so you’ll need to be clever with how you work it into your design.

Your Turn!

• Which washer-dryer combo seems best for your unique needs?
• How can tweak your or your family’s laundry habits to minimize your washing needs?