In reply to:

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As a Brit, what I can't understand in the US is the continued exclusive use of separate washers and dryers. Europe has shifted to a combined unit - I can't remember the last time I saw separates in the UK (outside of a laundromat that is).

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My Mum and Dad recently upgraded their washing machine and were going to get a combined unit. That was until my Dad came across some rather worrying figures about house fires involving combined washer/dryer units. Apparently it's something to do with lint traps and ventilation or something.

Anyway, they ended up with separate units, washer in the house and dryer in garage. That way if the dryer did catch fire, only my dads workmate, powerdrill and assorted nails and screws would be lost!

I think they also had friends who had a load of washing burnt by their combi unit. I got their old washer for nothing so it was a result for me!