Many people believe that every washing machine can dry laundry just like a tumble dryer, and some viral articles make this claim sound like a “hidden function” built into all machines. However, that’s not entirely true. Standard washing machines do not fully dry clothes like a dedicated dryer does, but many do include features that reduce moisture or perform a limited drying function.
In fact, what some people call a “drying function” in a washing machine usually refers to either a very high-speed spin cycle that extracts water or a washer-dryer combo unit that can both wash and dry within a single appliance.
The “Spin Only” Drying Everyone Has
Every modern automatic washing machine — whether front-loading or top-loading — uses a spin cycle at the end of the wash to remove as much water as possible from your laundry. This is done by spinning the drum at very high speed, which forces water out of the fabric through centrifugal force. This doesn’t truly dry clothes, but it does make them significantly less wet — often 70–90 % dry — depending on spin speed and garment type:
- Lower RPM (revolutions per minute) → clothes still quite damp
- Higher RPM (e.g., 1200–1600) → clothes come out much drier and need only short air-drying or line drying to be wearable
- This “spin-dry” function is likely what the linked article is referring to when it claims “10 out of 10 washing machines can dry clothes.” But it’s not a full drying cycle like a tumble dryer provides — it just removes moisture through spinning.
True Drying: Washer-Dryer Combos That Can Dry Clothes
There are machines that can wash and dry clothes in one unit — washer-dryer combos. These are designed so that after washing, the machine moves into a drying mode that uses heat and/or air circulation to evaporate moisture.
How They Work
- The machine washes, rinses, and spins like a normal washer.
- After the spin, wet clothes are tumbled with heated air inside the drum.
- Moisture evaporates and is either condensed and drained or vented, depending on model type.
This drying function is real, but it has important limits compared to a separate dryer:
Capacity Limits
Washer-dryer combos cannot usually dry the full wash load — often only about half of the washing capacity — because there’s less space for airflow.
Time and Efficiency
Drying cycles in combos can take far longer than standalone dryers — sometimes several hours — and may use water in the condensation process.
Not All Washing Machines Have It
Only specific models labelled as “washer-dryer combo” or machines specifically marketed with a drying cycle will have this feature. If yours doesn’t show “Dry” or a similar setting, it likely cannot fully dry clothes on its own.
Why the Confusion Happens
Some online articles exaggerate the idea of “10 out of 10 machines can dry clothes” by pointing to the spin cycle as if it were a true dryer. But what the spin does is just remove water, not fully dry in the sense of heat-based moisture removal like a tumble dryer does. If you want full drying without a separate appliance, look for a washer-dryer combo unit — but understand that even those are not as fast or capacious as separate machines.
Practical Tips
If you want drier clothes after washing:
- Run a high-speed spin cycle (often labelled spin, extra spin, or dry spin).
- Remove clothes promptly after the cycle to prevent wrinkles and allow quick air drying.
Conclusion
The claim that “10 out of 10 washing machines can dry clothes” is only partly true and often misunderstood. While nearly all modern washing machines include a powerful spin cycle that removes a large amount of water and leaves clothes much less damp, this is not the same as true drying. Real drying requires heat and airflow to evaporate moisture, which only washer-dryer combo machines or separate tumble dryers can provide. The confusion comes from viral articles presenting moisture extraction as a hidden drying feature. In reality, standard washing machines help clothes dry faster afterward, but they do not fully dry them on their own unless they are specifically designed to do so.
