Does front load washers dry clothes? (Revealed!)

A few models of front load washers can dry clothes completely. As a result, you might wear them instantly after the washing cycle. But, all front load washer doesn’t contain the 100% drying feature.

Few of the front-load washers that thoroughly dry clothes are called washers & dryers. 

So, if the drying feature is one of your primary preferences, you should choose those specific “washer and dryer” models from several brands.

How to know whether a washer can 100% dry your clothes or not? 

The “DRY” section around the function knob or any “DRY” button on the dashboard could be a clear indication. It assures that the washer can completely dry clothes using hot air flow and sophisticated technology.

All the front load washers contain a “spin only” or “rinse+spin” function that squeezes out water from the clothes using centrifugal force. But they can’t completely dry wet clothes.

Additionally, around the dashboard of the water, the cleaning capacity and drying capacities remain clearly mentioned. 

For example, on the dashboard of the LG F4V5VGP2T front load washer and dryer, you will find a note like “Direct Drive 9/6 KG.” It explains that the machine can wash 9KG of clothes and dry 6 KGs of clothes. 

The drying capacity always remains lower than the washing limit.

Two-Step Drying Procedure of Front Load Washer and Dryer

Understanding these drying procedure steps will help you know the fact more clearly.

Step1: Squeezing out water through spinning

In this step, the front load washer drum spins at a very high speed, like 400 to 1400 RPM. The spinning rate depends on your preferred settings, so you can increase or decrease it according to necessity.

High RPM spin creates a centrifugal force that separates the water from the clothes and throws it out through the drain line.

As a result, you won’t find any dripping water from those clothes, but you can’t wear them as they remain still wet.

All front loader washer has this feature, but not the second one, which is the hot air dry.

Step 2: Hot Air Dry Feature

A heater starts blowing hot air through the washer drum in this step. Famous brands use PTC heating elements for hot air drying procedures, which is almost similar to your portable forced air space heater. 

On this cycle, the washer drum spins slowly to shuffle your clothes and spread hot air thoroughly. 

After this drying cycle, you will find entirely dry clothes which are ready to wear.

But, only a few advanced, sophisticated front load washers contain this feature.

Can you “dry only” clothes using a front-load washer?

Yes, you can if you have the front loader washer and dryer.

The dry-only procedure depends on different models. But here’s the general step.

Firstly you need to twist the knob towards the “DRY” section or touch on the “DRY” button. 

On the washer and dryer of LG, Haier, and Samsung, the “DRY” function remains on the touch panel, and on Media, you will find it around the knob. 

After selecting the DRY mode, you need to set up the time according to the number of clothes. Or you might choose the auto-dry mode so the machine can set the timer. 

Though I prefer to preset it manually cause, on the auto-dry mode, the machine takes a longer duration which increases my electric bill.

How many clothes can a front-load washer dry?

The few washer models offering drying features can wash 2.3 cubic feet or 9 KG (19.84 Ibs) of dry clothes. However, they can dry around 1.2 cubic feet or 6 KG (13.22 Ibs) of wet clothes.

Unfortunately, more oversized front loader washers like 4.5 cubic feet or more don’t come with a drying feature. So, you don’t have a wider choice.

For easier understanding, you can dry 6 Shirts/T-Shirts and 4 Pants together. Or a similar amount of clothes like five shirts and two heavy towels. 

But, I never dry more than six clothes in total. Cause increasing the number of clothes extends the drying duration and power consumption. 

So, if it’s not a rainy day or you won’t have an urgency, I won’t suggest you dry more than 4-6 clothes at once.

What type of clothes can you dry in the front load washer?

You can dry almost anything with a front load washer and dryer except the heavy clothes that absorb too much water, like comforters or blankets. 

But, drying light clothes like shirts, trousers, pajamas, and underwear is easier than heavy clothes like jeans, pants, jackets, and heavy towels. 

When I put my shirts in for drying, sometimes, I find the collar portion a little wet. The same thing happens to the jeans pants waist. But a longer duration can solve this issue.

Will the drying procedure damage my clothes?

No, it doesn’t. I’ve tried cotton, polyester, wool, and several different types of clothes and never experienced any damage due to drying.

But I won’t suggest drying silk or synthetic cloths, which are heat sensitive. Though those won’t get damaged, you might find a few wrinkles, so staying risk-free is better. 

But sometimes over-drying might be hard on your clothes like towels and similar fabrics.

How long does the front load washer take to dry clothes?

The duration depends on the number and the type of clothes. 

Drying two light clothes (1 T-Shirt + 1 Trousers) takes 30 minutes. 

4-5 light clothes take 1 hour, and 6-8 dresses or heavy jeans take 1.5 hours to dry completely. 

Though you can set up “Dry” functionality between 30 minutes to 5 hours, I won’t suggest you dry such a massive amount of dresses that take more than 1.5 hours.

Should you keep the water valve OPEN during the drying procedure?

Yes, of course. Even you can’t run the washer unless the water valve remains open.

During the drying cycle, the front load washer sucks a small amount of water to keep the drum temperature balanced. Otherways the drum could be overheated, and your clothes might get burnt.

Do you need a vent for the front load washer & dryer?

No, you do not need it. 

Due to the drying feature, I’ve never seen any front-load “washer & dryer” that requires a vent. 

Instead, the hot air producer heating components remain connected with a water condenser. During the drying cycle, the washer forcefully bypasses excess hot air and wastewater through the drain line.

Will drying clothes ruin my washer?

No, it won’t. 

Front loader washers and dryers are being manufactured to serve washing and drying purposes. So, drying clothes won’t ruin your washer.

But, like other appliances, excessive use might pressure the electrical equipment. So if you avoid overuse, the lifespan will be longer than expected.

Are the front loader, washer, and dryer worth it?

Yes, they are worthy!!!

First of all, different brands manufacture very few models of washer and dryer combo. However, the only available sizes of those models are not larger than 2.3 to 2.4 cubic feet (8 to 9 KG).

This is more than sufficient for a modern family, even if you need to clean too many baby clothes. 

The price of a 2.3 cubic feet advanced washer without dryer remains around $800 to $1000 (depending on the brand). Also, a dryer itself costs almost the same. 

While you will easily get a washer & dryer type of front loader machine within $1000 to $1200, even some brands like media offer a lower range.

So, instead of choosing a washer and a dryer separately, choosing a 2-in-1 combo is cost-saving. 

But, In case you require a larger washer, you don’t have a choice of a 2-in-1 combo.

Final Thoughts

Now, it’s clear to you whether a front load washer can dry clothes or not. 

Yes, a few 2.3 cubic feet front load washers can dry clothes entirely, and there are no similar larger washer and dryer 2-in-1 models. 

I am using one personally. I am delighted with the drying performance. Please email me on the contact pages if you have any further questions.