How to Winterize an RV Washer Dryer Combo? | Protect Your Rig This Winter

Whether you own a Splendide or a Whirlpool — and if you’re still shopping for your rig, the best combo washer dryers for RVs breaks down which models handle winter storage best — the question of how to winterize an RV washer dryer combo comes down to a straightforward 20-minute procedure that costs less than five dollars in supplies. The manufacturer-approved methods below cover both the standard drum-pour and the optional fresh-water line feed.

You need exactly one specialty item: pink RV antifreeze made with propylene glycol. Never use automotive antifreeze — it is toxic and will contaminate your potable water system. A funnel, a towel, and basic pliers for hose disconnection round out the tool list.

What Do You Need To Winterize An RV Washer-Dryer?

The supply list is short. Pick up a gallon of pink RV antifreeze from any Walmart, Camping World, or Amazon — a gallon costs around five dollars and handles multiple winterizations.

You also need access to the water shut-off valves behind the machine and a small container to catch drips when you disconnect the inlet hoses. That is the full setup — no special tools, no plumbing experience required.

Winterizing an RV Washer-Dryer: The Official Half-Quart Procedure

Splendide’s official service documentation specifies ½ quart (roughly 0.47 liters) of RV antifreeze and a SPIN cycle to distribute it through the internal pump and drain lines. This is the standard method for the WFL1300XD, WFL2000, and WFL2100 models and works for most integrated RV washer-dryer combos.

1. Turn the machine power OFF.
2. Pour ½ quart (about one standard water bottle’s worth) of pink RV antifreeze directly into the drum.
3. Close the door and turn the Program Selector knob to the SPIN position.
4. Press the ON/OFF button to start. Let it run for 1–2 minutes — the antifreeze slings through the pump and drain hose, coating every internal surface water normally touches.
5. Press the ON/OFF button again to stop the cycle.
6. Unplug the unit from the power outlet or flip the breaker.
7. Turn both hot and cold water supply faucets OFF.
8. Disconnect the inlet hoses from the faucets. Drain any remaining water from the hoses into a bucket or towel.

The when you finish the SPIN cycle, a small amount of pink antifreeze should be visible in the drain hose or the drain pump filter area. If the drain fluid still looks clear, the antifreeze has not reached the pump — stop and repeat the spin cycle.

Whirlpool RV Washer Winterization: The 1-Quart Route

Whirlpool’s RV washers require a slightly larger volume — 1 full quart (1 liter) of RV antifreeze — but the procedure is nearly identical. The key difference is the cycle selection.

1. Pour 1 quart of pink RV antifreeze into the drum.
2. Run the washer on a DRAIN or SPIN cycle only — never a full wash cycle. A wash cycle would attempt to fill with water and dilute the antifreeze below safe concentration.
3. Let the cycle run for 2–3 minutes until you hear the pump begin to drain.
4. Unplug the washer or disconnect power.
5. Shut off both water supply faucets.
6. Disconnect the inlet hoses and drain any residual water from them.

The success cue is the same for both brands: pink antifreeze visible in the drain line means the pump and internal tubing are protected.

The Fresh-Water System Method (For Rigs With Antifreeze Pumps)

Some RVs are plumbed with a dedicated antifreeze inlet and pump that feeds the whole water system, including the washer. Splendide’s optional procedure pumps antifreeze through the machine’s internal water lines instead of pouring it into the drum. This method uses a full quart of antifreeze and follows a specific hot-and-cold wash sequence. Only use this route if your RV is already set up to pump antifreeze through the entire plumbing system — the standard drum-pour method is simpler and equally effective.

1. Power OFF. Set WASH TEMP to HOT.
2. Turn the Program Selector to REGULAR (Cotton Heavy Duty).
3. Press ON/OFF to start. Let the machine fill until pink antifreeze enters the drum and the machine advances to the wash stage.
4. Set the selector to RESET and wait 5 seconds — the Status/Door Lock LED will blink.
5. Set the selector to SPIN and let the antifreeze drain out.
6. Set selector to RESET again and wait 5 seconds.
7. Change WASH TEMP to COLD and set selector to REGULAR.
8. Let it fill with antifreeze again until visible in the drum, then RESET and SPIN to drain.
9. Press ON/OFF to stop. Unplug the unit.

The antifreeze exits the drain hose during both the hot and cold spin stages. If only one temperature cycle produces pink discharge, repeat the missing step.

Common Mistakes That Ruin RV Washers

Three errors account for nearly all winterization failures in RV washer-dryer combos. Getting any of them wrong can cost you the machine.

How Do You Dewinterize An RV Washer-Dryer In Spring?

Dewinterizing is simpler than winterizing. Splendide’s official protocol requires an EXPRESS cycle with a small dose of detergent to flush the antifreeze out of the internal system safely.

1. Flush the RV’s water pipes by running each faucet for 30 seconds before connecting the washer.
2. Reconnect the inlet hoses to the HOT and COLD faucets. Turn both faucets ON.
3. Plug the unit back into the power outlet.
4. Add ½ tablespoon of powder detergent (or the liquid equivalent) to the Detergent compartment.
5. Select the EXPRESS cycle on the Program Selector.
6. Press ON/OFF to start and let the complete cycle run. The detergent breaks down any residual antifreeze film inside the drum and lines.

The success cue is clear: the drain discharge runs colorless with no pink tint. If the first few seconds still look pink, run a second EXPRESS cycle with detergent before using the washer for laundry.

Winterizing Checklist For Freezing Weather

1. Confirm you have pink RV antifreeze — at least ½ quart per machine.
2. Pour the correct volume into the drum (½ quart for Splendide, 1 quart for Whirlpool).
3. Run a SPIN or DRAIN cycle for 1–2 minutes.
4. Unplug the washer from power.
5. Shut off both water supply faucets and disconnect the inlet hoses.
6. Drain any residual water from the disconnected hoses.

Run through these six steps before any hard freeze.