Steam washers and dryers

[Buckeye Princess]

We are moving and getting a new washer and dryer. I'm really interested in the steam washers and dryers but having a hard time finding information. Consumer reports for example really hasn't reviewed them yet.

If I get a steam dryer do I need a steam washer too? Can anyone better explain how the steam function differs on the washer versus on the dryer?

I don't care about aesthetics, just how the machine works. So I don't care if the set matches etc. I just want to get the best washer and the best dryer without paying for things like appearance.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I know nothing about steam washers (I'm actually not sure I've seen one... but then, I've never looked) but we have a steam dryer (a Bosch Vision 500). It's great for freshening up wrinkled clothing; I hate to iron so the steam dryer is great for us. It won't get out really set in wrinkles, but it's great for taking clothing from "iffy" to presentable". I also put my son's soft toys and stuffed animals through it every couple weeks... the steam helps get the toys cleaner and kills surface germs without having to go through the whole bother of washing them all the time.

Our steam dryer just has a hose that attaches into the cold water pipe for the washer. You need a splitter for that pipe so that it can attach to both the washer and the dryer. My DH installed it with no problems.

 

[arminnie]

I had the Whirlpool Steam Duet. I used the steam dryer a lot. Never used the washer part.

 

[teacup princess]

I just bought the Electrolux steam washer to replace my broken 15y.o. machine. My dryer still works fine so I didn't get the matching set for now. So far I like it. We wanted to go with steam because we have a farm and get alot of really fithly clothing that I wanted to try to get cleaner and more sanitized. The steam/sanitize cycle does do a great job, but it does take a long time. (It adds about 25 minutes to the cycle and takes like 2 hours for a wash on it's longest setting). As such I don't use steam on anything other than the farm clothes, and I only set it right before we go to bed so it's clean and ready for the dryer in the morning. The farm clothes are coming out amazingly cleaner, not sure if it's due to the steam or if the old washer just wasn't working well after 15 years. They never used to smell good, even after a wash. That problem has been pretty much eliminated by the sanitize cycle so I think it was worth the extra money. It also has an 18 minute quick cycle without steam that I use alot during the day for towels and not too dirty things. That cycle does a great job as well. Unless your clothes are really dirty like ours, not sure the steam washer would be beneficial.

 

[jsmla]

We have a Samsung steam washer and dryer and I only use the steam wash cycle for DH's things. He works with horses and his clothes get nasty! I use the steam dryer all to time to avoid ironing

 

[bettymae1121]

I can see steam being really useful on a dryer, but I don't think I'd want/need it on a washer. My new washer does have a sanitize cycle for those "icky" things, though! If we ever manage to have kids we plan on cloth diapering so that will come in really handy! I wish I had it when I still had my dog, I would have been able to clean up after her using real towels rather than paper towels.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have the samsung steam VRT washer and us it to sanitize items such as bed sheet, towels and wash clothes. We got ours 2 years ago at the Sears Outlet store in North Olmsted by Baby R Us store.

We got the 4.5 ccf and it does alot of clothes, king size comforter. Our water bill went down 2 ccf. We use less soap and the clothes spin really dry so they dry in about 25 minutes.

 

[TaraPA]

I have the Maytag dryer system that looks like an armoire - the bottom is a regular dryer, the top cabinet is a steam dryer. I LOVE it! DH wears suits to work & this really helps freshen them up & get the wrikles out between dry cleanings. It saves a lot of money too, things we used to have to get dry cleaned can now go in there. It's great for my delicate clothing as well, it doesn't have to go in the tumbler dryer - it uses steam or vibration/shaking or a combo of any of those. With or without heat.