Installed this unit in our condo one weeks ago and love it. I was very skeptical because you read so many mixed reviews on combo units. But so far I only have two issues that came up, both mentioned below. But for the record this washes great and completely dryers all the clothes inside in 2 hrs 20 min. At first I felt that was a bit long, but then I realized using a normal washer/dryer takes 1 hr 30 min, so really it's only 45 minutes longer. Plus you don't have to come back to move the clothes, it switches cycles and does everything by itself. Honestly after using this I don't know why these are more popular, they make a lot more sense than buying two huge dual units.
Two issues to work through
If you are putting this in a kitchen or on old hardwood floors, you may want to buy Washer Anti-Vibration and Anti-Walk Pads VIBRAFIX (sold on Amazon). I leveled the unit so it stopped shaking, but on the extra high spin it still vibrated our stove right next to it in the kitchen. It's an old condo from the 50s, so the old floors have a little movement to them. Those pads fixed the problem 100%.
The second issue is the brand new rubber smell when using high heat. Recently the rubber coming from Japan or Korean has a really strong smell that takes a while to go away. My new bicycle tires were the same way. I assume it lasts longer or something of that nature, but you have to work through it. We stopped using high heat, switched to normal and then used fabric softener. After that our clothes came out fine. Plus after about ten times using it the smell is almost gone, but they should really do that at the factory. At first we thought there was an issue with the unit, but on other sites people had the same issue and recommended those fixes unit it's broken in. It's worked for us, so it's unfortunately just a use/timing issue.
We ordered our LG WM3488HW washer/dryer at a great price without sales tax on Amazon.com's website and selected a friendly vendor, Specialized Appliances (FJS Distributors in Duluth, MN). Proprietors Jenny and Richard Mertz called us back to set up free delivery with shipping carrier, Old Dominium Freight, who delivered our LG WM3488HW promptly in perfect condition.
In December, 2016 we purchased this compact all-in-one washer/dryer LG WM3488HW (white 2016 model) in order to replace our old trustworthy LG WM3431HS (silver 2005 model) that lasted for more than 11 years. Like the 2005 model, this 2016 model is designed to be VENTLESS, so it doesn't require an exhaust hood/duct.
This new 2016 model has many very useful, modern high-technology features (listed on the LG website). As an engineer living in a NYC apartment with my family, I appreciate efficient, well-designed products, and this high-tech product is environmentally-friendly, compact and extremely quiet. It offers many advanced features, including "label-on" and impressive "smart" sensors that automatically monitor clothing and wash/dry processes, offering real performance and convenience to families.
Upon arrival of the LG WM3488HW, you FIRST must personally examine the unit carefully to ensure that it is in brand-new condition in a factory-sealed box so it can be installed properly. SECOND, this LG washer/dryer is fairly easy to install but it MUST be carefully LEVELED on your floor by a good professional who has had real previous LG installation experience and is not in a hurry. Since we had experience with our previous 2005 model, we did the delivery truck LG inspection and installation. It took about two hours and we had no problems at all.
The modern LG WM3488HW high-technology features are useful and the washer/dryer is quiet and performs flawlessly. Drying in high-tech ventless washer/dryers like this one can actually take up to 4 hours, but all our delicate clothes finish perfectly soft and dry, and we are still able to do 3 loads of laundry daily. We can first load the machine in the morning so laundry is ready when we come home from work. We can load the unit again when we come home from work so laundry is ready before we go to bed. We can also load the unit again before bed so laundry is ready in the morning.
My wife and I experimented with many high-efficiency detergents or fabric softeners. It is best to use only high-efficiency laundry detergents and fabric softeners with this LG washer/dryer, and we use a variety, mostly from Costco. We find that there are many high-technology settings, options and sensors to ensure that clothes come out soft and dry, so we have discovered that it isn't necessary to use fabric softener. As an engineer, I noticed that some common commercial high-efficiency detergents and fabric softener products have complex organic compounds which actually can cause strong laundry room "burning smells" attributed by users on websites to rubber seals used within LG's high-tech washer/dryer. Such bad smells, presumed by users to fade over time, can be caused by artifacts of high-efficiency laundry detergents and fabric softeners, and results vary depending upon manufacturer. LG washer/dryer seals are made of materials that DON'T cause this issue. To eliminate this issue as we did, try switching to other high-efficiency detergents and other fabric softeners, carefully read the labels on clothing for laundering suggestions (particularly on acrylic wash and wear items sports clothing), and carefully read the LG WM3488HW User Guide to become more familiar with its many advanced features which let you easily customize the washer/dryer to meet particular needs automatically for your clothes. In particular, closely follow simple suggestions in the User Guide about NOT trying to unnecessarily heat-dry clothing with a high "plastic" content (acrylics like nylon, rayon and drip-dry sports wear materials). Modern high-tech sports wear does NOT need to be dried with heat because it naturally drip dries and should be removed slightly damp to air dry. You can certainly choose to run a WASH and DRY cycle on any clothing with a high plastic content, but it is unnecessary and can cause the strong laundry room "burning smells" attributed by some users. After we closely followed these suggestions in the LG User Guide, any such issues disappeared and clothes came out perfectly.
You don't need to read the LG WM3488HW User Guide to use this great washer/dryer because it's really simply "plug-and-play" and completely automatic. However, this washer/dryer has amazing advanced features that are optional. Such advanced optional features allow adventurous users to program the LG WM3488HW for special needs, and it even has self-diagnostic features that can be used to troubleshoot potential problems.
After over 11 years as users of our trustworthy 2005 LG WM3431HS, we had responsive technical support and helpful customer service from LG, which offers toll-free telephone and internet support. We are confident that our new 2016 LG WM3488HW, with its smart sensors and self-diagnostic features, will serve us very well.
Second LG ventless washer/dryer we have owned and we are again very pleased with both the quality of the machine and the laundry results. Have not experienced any lingering "oil odor" when using the machine after the first couple of times using it. As to the wrinkle issues others have mentioned, I find that if the cycle is stopped with about an hour left on the timer display, the clothes are wrinkle-free and just need to be hung on hangers or a laundry rack to complete the full drying process.
My only complaint is that I have not figured out if there is a way to just use the machine with the dry cycle without first having to put it through rinse & spin; this is only an issue if you want to dry something that was either hand washed or clothing that may have gotten wet in the rain.
Works great! Just a big learning curve how to get the best wash. Also must remove clothes immediately after the drying cycle or they are a wrinkled mess, which no hanging up will resolve. Had to rewash to get the wrinkles out.
Excellent machine, Welbilt. There is a strong odor after the first few drawing Cycles. Excellent Energy savings especially if you decide to hang dry your clothes. Which is easy because the high spin pretty much leaves to close damp.
Feature Product
- Washer Dryer Combo - All-in-One
- No access to external venting? No problem. LG's all-in-one washer/dryers use ventless condensing to dry your clothes without the need for external venting. Dryer times will run about 120 minutes. Plugs into 110 Volt, hot and cold water, needs a drain. Expand the limits of your laundry room
Description
2.3 cu. ft. Large Capacity 24" Compact All-In-One Washer/Dryer Combo Plugs into 110Volt and it is Ventless
Dryer takes a long time -- but, that was info I learned in research. The loads that I do dry by machine are well dried.
One month and so far I'm very happy with this washer/dryer. This is my first front load or combo and it has lived up to expectations. I think of this machine as a compact washer with an optional dryer function; it will completely dry clothes, but you need to work within the limitations. I have not experienced any problems with the burning rubber some others have complained about.
Pros--
Clothes come out clean--have not experienced any drop off in cleaning compared to a full-sized machine
Quick, efficient washing--can be done in as little as thirty minutes.
Reasonably compact and can be mounted on a trolley for movability
Has a non-vented dryer and clothes usually come out completely dry or very slightly damp (and then quickly become dry with a little air)
Quite versatile with washing choices, drying choices, delay timers, etc.
Automatic wash + dry is incredibly convenient--put the clothes in before you leave for work and come home to clean, dry clothes!
Seems to be a solid, well-built machine
Cons--
Dryer option is limited to a maximum of half a load (more and it won't dry properly)
Drying function can take a long time--wash + dry can take up to 3 and a half hours
Not loud, but not really quiet either--at it's loudest, during the spin cycle, I clocked it at 75 dB
Drying function has an annoying, 12 second long, low frequency "shaking" every 30 seconds. I only use the dryer when I'm out of the house.
Use it in my motorhome as a full time rv'r... love it
Good solid washing machine. Works well in small spaces. Love the settings. Looks great. Fits enough clothes. I dont know what else to say about a product that meets my expectations fully! I've owned/used it since first week of January and no problems.
I've had this machine for about a month: LOVE IT!! It fits in a tiny space, which is important because my laundry room is microscopic. The top is a nice little work space. The dryer isn't important to me because I usually dry my items on a drying racks; nevertheless, the dryer works fine. I was concerned it might not hold a reasonable sized load, but not a problem. My only complaint is that access to the machine door is *low.* Researched a pedestal for it and found that LG does not make one.
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