+63 votes
by (1.6k points)
Has anyone found a hack to announce when the washer or dryer are done? I love my “dumb” washer and dryer but I always forget to swap the loads.  
Has anyone found a hack to announce when the washer or dryer are done?

47 Answers

+5 votes
by (820 points)
 
Best answer
Set a timer on your cell phone, google home or alexia devices
by (1.1k points)
It's not 'smart' but this is the quickest, easiest, and cheapest option. Even if its still subject to human error.  
by (820 points)
@haemo252 true. I read her post wrong I thought she was seeking a quick easy solution.  
by (410 points)
It's also prone to human error. I've been known to underestimate the time by as much as 30 minutes, and I often forget to set the timer by the time I get back to my room.  
by (1.1k points)
@haug77 Correct. The more likely error though is that you just forget to set the timer. But I still dont think its a bad option. Set a timer based on the number the unit spits out, and if its not done yet. snooze it for 20 minutes and go again. Beyond that there are a number of more expensive smart options that have been mentioned here.  
by (410 points)
It's the best option we've got, so it's what I use. At one point, I also set up a webcam pointing at the machine dial so I could visually confirm if it's done.  
+12 votes
by (1.3k points)
Wemo insight monitors electric pull. Ifttt text when below a threshold.  
+23 votes
by (890 points)
I saw on another forum that someone used a smart plug which would send a signal when power consumption had dropped
by (1.6k points)
@sailer that’s not a bad idea.  
by (360 points)
@bestride thats the only possible one for now, creating automation based on device load to send custom notification
by (4.2k points)
You better make sure your smart plug can handle that type of load.  
+22 votes
by (4.8k points)
I have a power-metering smart plug (Zooz ZEN15) on my washing machine, then I have an automation built around monitoring its power consumption to infer when it's done (spin cylces tend ot get pretty high usage). My drier is 220V and I didn't feel like doing anything for that, but the drier does has a status LED, so I'm using a HomeSeer Flex Sensor with the light attachment (HS-FS100-L) to tell when that turns off. Both require a reasonably featured Z-Wave hub to pull this off, like Hubitat (my choice), SmartThings, Home Assistant with Z-Wave, or similar. Without that, there are probably various cloud-centric, hubless solutions you can use like the one I see above.  
by (4.2k points)
I have two of the Zooz ZEN15 plugs. Those are awesome.  
+35 votes
by (750 points)
Vibration sensor on ur washer. When it stops vibration for a few minutes alert you.  
+18 votes
by (1.3k points)
I use a power monitoring outlet on the washing machine. Then the dryer I just stuck an open/close sensor on the dryer knob.  
+19 votes
by (980 points)
I use sense for the dryer, the washer sends alert between each cycle. Need to try ifttt to add delay
+29 votes
by (1.4k points)
Dont they have an audible alert?  
+27 votes
by (2.4k points)
Open it up, find the buzzer contacts or speaker contacts, wire them to a smart I/O, then trigger and action.  
+9 votes
by (1.3k points)
Smart dry
+41 votes
by (1.7k points)
I use an Amazon Echo in my laundry room to set a timer as I leave (my machines estimate the number of minutes remaining on their displays), and I use IFTTT to change lights upstairs when the timer goes off. It's very helpful, especially when I remember to use it.  
by (2.5k points)
@pelpel Webb sounds good I have an echo not far away. Now, I'm somewhere else in the house possibly changing rooms or housecleaning when the timer goes off. Will I be notified on another device?  
by (1.7k points)
@timeous, IFTTT blinks my lights three times in two rooms, but it can also turn on a light to a specific color if I want it to and leave it like that so I'll see it when I walk by. Then I can just turn it off via echo as I go to the laundry room. Without a hub I have yet to find a way to make an audible indication on any echo or Google Home speaker except the one on which I made the timer. That's how I investigated to find out I can use IFTTT to blink my smart lights.  
by (2.5k points)
@pelpel Webb I have hubs but still cant have the notification happen somewhere else. I do not see how that is so difficult. Alexa play on xxx echo or show. Done
+43 votes
by (5.2k points)
Just ask google to set a timer as you put it in
+48 votes
by (920 points)
Couldn't you just set a timer on google for same time the wash or dry cycle is
by (410 points)
1. That time is a guess at best 2. The timer is local, so you have to remember to set it once you get to wherever you'll be waiting
+32 votes
by (660 points)
I have 2 SmartThings multisensors on mine. they detect vibration
by (410 points)
@verdha How do you have it set up? I've tried this, but my (older) washer/dryer didn't vibrate enough I guess.  
by (660 points)
@monotony54360 I use a custom device handler. I have the washer sensor sitting on the back of the washer and the one for the dryer is on the exhaust tube.  
+32 votes
by (1.9k points)
I’ve see several things: - the vibration sensor - the current sensor - tapping into the board on your units and wiring up a micro controller probably some combination of those would be best.  
+21 votes
by (710 points)
Ummm, (this is assuming you have an Alexa device), ask Alexa to set a timer. (? )
by (1.7k points)
But she wants a notification in other parts of her home beyond the where she can hear the timer.  
by (380 points)
I can’t understand why Amazon hasn’t figured how to set an alarm on a different device or set an alarm in a group.  
+8 votes
by (890 points)
If you go down the power socket sensor make sure it is load rated correctly for a wash dryer as they pull more power than you think.  
by (4.2k points)
Plus most are not rated for electric motors.  
+31 votes
by (5.2k points)
Also using a crappy wemo insight but it does the job most of the time. You can set what current threshold it notifies you so it only notifies when finished, not when paused between cycles
+27 votes
by (690 points)
I remember reading somewhere someone used a vibration sensor. Created a rule so if vibration for more that 1 minute, and stops for 5 minutes throw virtual switch.  
+29 votes
by (1k points)
Sure, but where's the fun in just setting a timer? There is a small system called SmartDry at Amazon that, from what I've seen, works pretty well. It's about $50. For the washer, you could use a voltage-monitoring smart plug and something like IFTTT to check it when the voltage drops below a certain level. Just a couple of ideas.  
+35 votes
by (620 points)
I'm going to eventually get around to something. Thinking a PiZero with light sensors. Both my washer and dryer have a cycle complete light that will light up when they are done. Going to stick the sensors on them and then setup a trigger to send an alert of some type like a SMS or push. Maybe a way to alert a Google home device. Shouldn't be too complicated just need to find the time to write the code.  
by (1.7k points)
That's what I'm interested in. Something that will either alert me thru my ceiling speakers throughout my house that washer is done, or beep. Or thru an alexa or google home device. I'd rather it be sent to my speakers.  
+42 votes
by (1.6k points)
I measure the wattage. When there is no more draw for three minutes, it sends the wife and I a text message.  
by (390 points)
@haemo252 Waselkow intrigued how you’ve done this, any links?  
by (1.6k points)
What system are you using? I use home assistant and created a template binary sensor. If you use HA I’ll post the yaml.  
by (390 points)
@haemo252 Waselkow no I’m not, but I will check it out. Thanks.  
by (420 points)
@haemo252 Waselkow what do you use to measure the wattage? WiFi outlet?  
by (1.6k points)
@cletacleti I used a SmartThings outlet and then built a template binary sensor in HA for it so it only indicates when the power drops for three minutes.  
by (4.2k points)
What do you use for your dryer?  
by (1.6k points)
@mariandi56178 I don’t use anything. My dryer is so loud and obnoxious that there is no doubt when it goes off. Also, it’s not as big of a deal if we don’t attend to clothes in the dryer right away.  
+31 votes
by (670 points)
Many over kills here just buy a smart plugg that shows the watt and make a routin
+22 votes
by (620 points)
Yep, Smart Dry works great for our gas dryer. For my washing machine I monitor votage with ZooZ heavy duty cord and use Home Assistant for the automation. Smart Dry and Home Assistant both send Alexa announcements. Works well. Wife loves it.  
+5 votes
by (1.3k points)
Wemo Insight for the washer plug, once voltage goes up X then it's running. Once it returns to X then it stopped. Insight wont work on Dryer because it pulls closer to 20 amps and the plug is only rated at 15 amps.  
+41 votes
by (11.6k points)
I have my washer and dryer on an aeotec smart strip and I use webcore pistons to monitor the power usage and announce when either is done (on Alexa devices and push notifications to both my phone and my wife's phone). It's completely automated and works great.  
by (4.2k points)
Is your dryer gas?  
by (11.6k points)
+6 votes
by (3.2k points)
I'm about to combine the lg tv popup node in node red with some kind of device thats connected to the machines. cause what are you doing while you do laundry? watching tv. be nice to have a pop up on screen notification when the washer or dryer is finished.  
+26 votes
by (1.7k points)
Gas drier or electric?  
by (2.5k points)
@fort3 Hartley didn't even know gas ones existed
by (1.7k points)
@excrescence they do, and the drum motor runs off a standard wall outlet so any smart plug with power monitoring would work. Electric drier on the other hand would be difficult to find a 220v solution
by (4.2k points)
@fort3 Hartley not entirely true. Most smart plugs aren't made to handle electric motors long term. Could work forever, but might burn up too.  
+28 votes
by (970 points)
Amateurs. I wired a 12 v battery to a relay wired to the seat of the chair . when I remotely trip the relay the missus goes beserk and storms off into the kitchen! From that point I just yell “well you’re in there is the washer finished dear?! ”  
+20 votes
by (2.5k points)
My washing machine is so loud the whole town knows it's finished. No tech required.  
+47 votes
by (650 points)
Mine smart
+25 votes
by (640 points)
Mine texts me when it's done. I'm boujee like that.  
+21 votes
by (4.9k points)
I have a pair of Sonoff S31s, flashed with Tasmota, on the washer and dryer, measuring current. They send the current values to my Home Assistant hub which uses them to determine when a cycle ended, and texts my wife and I when they are done. It can also announce via Alexa units.  
by (4.2k points)
Is your dryer gas?  
by (4.9k points)
Yes. With an electric dryer, you can't use an S31, but there are similair ways to do it with other current measuring devices.  
+24 votes
by (12.1k points)
I have a SmartThings sensor on my dryer that measures vibrations. With a WebCoRE piston , Alexa announces when the dryer is finished and a push notification is sent to the ST app. Washers can be done with a plug that measures power
+14 votes
by (830 points)
I monitor power usage. When it hits <2 watts it’s done.  
+41 votes
by (570 points)
If you have a light indicator on your washer and dryer, and the light goes out when the cycle if finished, you could use this device from Homeseer, HomeSeer HS-FS100-L Z-Wave Indicator Light Sensor. Worth checking out.  
+40 votes
by (2.2k points)
Just bought a new LG washer with WiFi. Will that work with ST?  
+23 votes
by (1.2k points)
I just simply turn on the washer and at the same moment say "Alexa set timer for an hour" not an exact science but it gets me to swap the loads
+23 votes
by (1.1k points)
I set a timer on my watch.  
0 votes
by (220 points)
“Alexa, remind me in 40 minute about. ”  
+45 votes
by (2.7k points)
We use smartdry.  
https://youtu.be/HxTecbcgSgQ
+38 votes
by (590 points)
I just ask Alexa to remind me to check in 45 minutes or whatever the time is. That is one of the great features of Alexa
+27 votes
by (380 points)
I brought myself two cheap tuya compatible power plugs that also report load. Plugged into washing machine and dryer. Hooked them into Smart life app and created a ‘start’ automation that when power load starts it enables a ‘stop’ automation. The ‘stop’ automation waits for no power load draw then sends notification to phone and disables the stop automation. The reason I disable the ‘stop’ automation is that otherwise it will keep alerting me. Crude but effective.  
+50 votes
by (410 points)
Why not a Smarthings Multi purpose sensor? When vibration stops, do something.  
+38 votes
by (440 points)
Egg timer.  
+11 votes
by (8.6k points)
There are loads of ways to do this but you need to choose a method that works well for each application or appliance. I've connected a lot of appliances in my smart home and the options for sensing usage are described here:  
https://smartisant.com/research/app...e.php
+59 votes
by (360 points)
I use a simple Powerdetector/measure device and if power goes down, the washer/dryer are done :)
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