You may have seen claims that every washing machine can dry clothes if you just use the “right setting.” That’s not entirely true.
Most standard washing machines—especially basic or semi-automatic models—do not have a true drying function.
What they do have is a spin cycle, which removes excess water by spinning clothes at high speed. This can make your laundry damp instead of soaking wet, but it doesn’t fully dry it.
Only specific machines, known as washer-dryer combos, are designed to both wash and dry clothes in one unit. These machines use heat and airflow to actually dry fabrics, similar to a separate dryer.
That said, you can make better use of your regular machine:
Use the highest safe spin setting to remove more water
Avoid overloading, so clothes spin properly
Shake out clothes after washing to help them air-dry faster