Alex will wash 18 + 12 + 17 + 13 = <<18+12+17+13=60>>60 items.

With 20 items per wash cycle, Alex will wash the clothes in 60 / 15 = 4 cycles.

With 45 minutes per cycle, the washing machine will take 45 * 4 = <<45*4=180>>180 minutes to wash the clothes.

As 1 hour has 60 minutes, the washing machine will take 180 / 60 = <<180/60=3>>3 hours to wash the clothes.

# Answer

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<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Alex has not washed his clothes for a month; 18 shirts, 12 pants, 17 sweaters, and 13 jeans are waiting to be washed. Alex's washing machine can wash a maximum of 15 items per cycle. Each cycle takes 45 minutes. How many hours will it take the washing machine to wash all the clothes?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
3
Alex has not washed his clothes for a month; 18 shirts, 12 pants, 17 sweaters, and 13 jeans are waiting to be washed. Alex's washing machine can wash a maximum of 15 items per cycle. Each cycle takes 45 minutes. How many hours will it take the washing machine to wash all the clothes?
train