Washing machine dry cycle recommendations

A method of treating a load of articles in a wash basket of a washing machine appliance, the method comprising:

• obtaining an image of the wash basket of the washing machine appliance and the load of articles therein;
• determining, based on the image, a load size of the load of articles in the wash basket is less than a load size maximum;
• estimating a drying time for drying the load of articles in a one-step wash and dry cycle;
• predicting a demand for the washing machine appliance during the drying time;
• determining the one-step wash and dry cycle is recommended based on the determined load size less than the load size maximum and the predicted demand for the washing machine appliance during the drying time less than a maximum demand;
• receiving a start input for the one-step wash and dry cycle;
• and
• performing the one-step wash and dry cycle in the washing machine appliance in response to the start input, wherein the one-step wash and dry cycle comprises successively washing and drying the load of articles in the wash basket of the washing machine appliance, wherein drying the load of articles in the washing machine appliance comprises rotating the wash basket within the washing machine appliance for the drying time.