The dream of tiny living often involves freedom, travel, and financial independence. It usually doesn't involve hauling a heavy bag of dirty clothes to a coin laundry in the rain.
Luxury is having clean sheets without leaving the house.
When I was designing the interior layout for our latest build, the biggest debate was: Do we sacrifice kitchen storage for a washing machine?
In a tiny house, you don't have room for a separate washer and dryer. You barely have room for one machine. This leaves you with a unique appliance category: the All-in-One Washer-Dryer Combo. These units wash your clothes and then immediately dry them in the same drum. But they have a reputation for taking forever to dry and shaking the whole trailer.
Today, we are comparing the three best options on the market to see which one actually handles the tiny house lifestyle.
1. The Gold Standard: LG All-in-One (Ventless)
If you have the budget and the power (usually requires a standard 120V outlet but draws significant amps), the LG units are the most "house-like" experience you can get.
How it works: It uses condensation drying. It heats the air, pulls moisture from clothes, turns that moisture into water, and drains it out. This means no vent hole needs to be cut into your siding (a huge plus).
The Drawback: It takes time. A full cycle can take 3 to 4 hours. You have to change your laundry habits—put a load in before you leave for work, and it's done when you get home.
2. The RV Workhorse: Splendide (Vented)
Ask anyone who lives in a standard RV, and they know the name Splendide. These units are built specifically to bounce down the highway without breaking.
Unlike the LG, the vented Splendide pumps hot, humid air outside (just like a normal dryer). This dries clothes much faster, but it means you have to drill a 4-inch hole in your wall. In a tiny house where insulation is key, that's literally a hole in your thermal envelope.
3. The Budget/Off-Grid Choice: Portable Washers
What if you don't have plumbing for a washer? Portable "twin tub" washers are the answer. They sit in your shower pan when in use and stow away in a closet when finished.
You manually fill them with a shower hose. They use very little power and water, making them perfect for boondocking. However, they don't truly "dry" clothes—they spin them mostly dry, and you have to hang-dry them the rest of the way.
Head-to-Head: Tiny Laundry Specs
| Feature | LG All-in-One | Splendide Vented | Portable Twin-Tub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venting | Ventless (Condensing) | Vented (Needs Hole) | None (Hang Dry) |
| Cycle Time | 3-4 Hours | 1.5 - 2 Hours | 20 Mins (Wash only) |
| Water Usage | Moderate (12-15 gal) | High (15+ gal) | Very Low (Manual) |
| Best For | Parked Tiny Homes | Heavy Duty Users | Off-Grid / Budget |
For most tiny house dwellers, the inability to cut a vent hole makes the ventless LG the winner. It runs quietly, it looks great in a kitchen, and if you plan your day right, the long cycle time doesn't matter.
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