A washer-dryer combo saves a whole appliance’s worth of space. It also dries differently from a standalone dryer, and most complaints about damp clothes come from that difference, not from a fault.
The three causes we see most are a load that’s too big, a cold tap that has been turned off, and a restricted drain path. All three are free to fix. National Appliance Repairs services washer-dryer combos across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
It can’t dry what it can wash
This is the most important thing to know about a combo. The drying capacity is smaller than the washing capacity. LG’s own support guidance says so plainly, and on some LG models it puts the drying load at about half the washing load.
A machine sold as “10 kg / 6 kg” washes 10 kg and dries 6 kg. Wash a full load and dry it in one go, and there isn’t enough room in the drum for air to move through the clothes. They come out damp, and the cycle runs long.
LG’s guidance on many combos is to load only up to the “fill up to this line” mark inside the door when you plan to dry. If you washed a full load, take some out before drying, or dry it in two batches.
LG also suggests unfolding thick items before drying, because folded sections hold moisture.
Why it needs the cold tap
Many washer-dryers use cold water to dry. The warm, damp air from the drum passes over a condenser cooled by a stream of cold water, the moisture condenses out, and the water is pumped away down the drain.
LG’s guidance spells out what that means for you:
- The cold tap must be open during drying. With no cold water, nothing condenses, and the machine just tumbles warm, damp air.
- The hot and cold hoses must be connected the right way round. LG notes that if hot water is supplied where cold should be, the condensing becomes less efficient.
It’s easy to miss. Plenty of households turn the taps off between washes, or have a laundry where the hoses were swapped years ago, and the washing still works fine.
Water-free drying models
Some newer LG combos use a water-free drying system that releases steam through the drain hose. LG’s guidance for those models is that the steam needs an uninterrupted path out:
- The drain hose should run smoothly down to the floor, without bends or loops that trap water.
- Water must not sit in the hose. If it does, steam can’t escape and drying suffers.
- LG still asks owners to leave the tap open, because these models use a small amount of water to keep internal parts clear of lint.
Warm but still wet
If the clothes come out warm but damp, the machine is heating, but the moisture isn’t being removed. LG’s guidance in that case is to clean the drain pump filter, which on many models sits behind a small cover at the bottom front.
Lint that gets past the drum ends up in the drain path. When the filter is clogged, condensed water can’t leave the machine efficiently, and drying slows down.
Combo or separate dryer?
| Washer-dryer combo | Separate heat pump dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Uses water to dry | Many models, yes | No |
| Drying capacity | Smaller than its washing capacity | Matches its rated capacity |
| Drying time | Longer | Shorter |
| Space needed | One appliance | Two, or a stacking kit |
A combo that takes a couple of hours to dry a sensible load is behaving normally. If you’re used to a separate dryer, it will always feel slower.
A checklist before you call
- Is the load within the drying capacity? Check the badge and the line inside the door.
- Is the cold tap fully on?
- Are the hot and cold hoses on the right taps?
- Is the drain pump filter clean?
- On a water-free model, does the drain hose run down without loops?
- Was the final spin fast enough? A slow or skipped spin leaves more water for the dryer to deal with.
When to book
Book if clothes stay damp with a small load, the tap open, the hoses correct and the filter clean, if the drum stays cold during drying, or if the machine shows a drying error code.
Our washer-dryer combo repair service covers LG, Samsung and other brands across all five capitals, with upfront quoting and a 12-month parts warranty with a 3-month labour warranty.
Call:
- Melbourne 03 9123 0548
- Sydney 02 9621 5988
- Brisbane 07 3166 9770
- Adelaide 08 7123 4027 or
- Perth 08 9470 4450
Tell us the model and roughly how big the load was.
If you have a separate heat pump dryer, our guides to Miele dryer messages and Samsung dryer messages cover those.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my washer-dryer not drying properly?
Usually because the load is bigger than the drying capacity, the cold tap is off, or the drain path is restricted. Check those three first.
Does a washer-dryer need water to dry clothes?
Many do. LG’s guidance is that cold water is used to condense the moisture from the drying air, so the tap needs to stay on.
How much can a washer-dryer dry at once?
Less than it can wash. LG puts the drying load at about half the washing load on some models. Check the second figure on your machine’s badge.
Why are my clothes warm but still wet?
The machine is heating but not removing the moisture. LG’s guidance is to clean the drain pump filter.
Can swapped hoses stop a washer-dryer drying?
They can reduce it. LG notes that hot water where cold should be makes the condensing less efficient.
The short version
A washer-dryer dries less than it washes, uses cold water to do it, and needs a clear drain path. Load to the drying limit, keep the cold tap on, check the hoses aren’t swapped, and clean the drain pump filter.
If it still leaves clothes damp, that’s when to call. National Appliance Repairs services washer-dryer combos across five capitals with upfront quoting. Book online or call your nearest office.
Sources to link at publish: LG support, “Washer-Dryer combo: unsatisfactory drying performance” · LG support, “Not drying: washer/dryer combo unit” (use the LG Australia equivalents, confirm URLs at publish)
