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Where Should You Put Laundry Appliances?
Your laundry appliances are used a lot. From cleaning work and school uniforms to drying bedding and towels, these appliances keep your home running smoothly. With laundry being such an important task, you deserve to have your washing machine and tumble dryer (or washer dryer) in the best location possible. But where is that?
Most people in the UK, and a few other countries, usually keep their laundry appliances in the kitchen. This is quite normal for us, however others find this location weird, or even disgusting!
In this article we’ll discuss the pros and cons of possible locations for your laundry appliances, including the kitchen. Ultimately, the decision is yours.
Where should you put laundry appliances?
There are a few options of where you could put your laundry appliances, depending on a couple of factors. This will depend on the type of appliance you’re fitting. For example, a condenser dryer can be fitted anywhere there is a plug nearby. Whereas a vented tumble dryer needs to be positioned next to an external wall so the warm air can be expelled outside of your home via a vent. Let’s talk through the options and discuss the pros and cons of each room.
Kitchen
Pros
Cons
Bathroom
Pros
Cons
Utility Room
Pros
Cons
Garage
Pros
Cons
Is a washing machine a kitchen appliance?
Kitchens are known for being a place to store and prepare food, so it can be difficult to see a non-food appliance as a kitchen appliance. However, because they’re most commonly found in the kitchen, at least in the UK, they are classified as a kitchen appliance.
To answer this question further though, we’ll address some common questions regarding washing machines in the kitchen.
Where should I put my washing machine?
The best place to put your washing machine will depend on personal preference and the layout of your home. For example, you may prefer to have your washing machine in a dedicated laundry room. But if you don’t have this space, the next best place may be your kitchen.
To decide which place is the best for you, you should first weigh the pros and cons of each potential room. From here you can figure out which would be the best for you.
Many countries, such as Germany, put their washing machine in the bathroom. This does actually make a lot of sense. Plumbing is readily available, you can throw your dirty clothes straight in after a shower, and it saves space elsewhere in the home. But this often isn’t practical in the UK.
In the UK, electrical sockets must be at least 3 metres away from a water source. This makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to connect a washing machine in the bathroom. Furthermore, even if this wasn’t the case, bathrooms here are often quite small, leaving little space for such a large appliance.
Garages and cupboards are a few other options for setting up a washing machine. However, they do come with quite a few cons. For example, it’s likely that neither of these spaces are set up to accommodate a washing machine. Therefore plumbing and electrical work would need to be done just to get it working. And then once it is set up, there are practicality issues when it comes to accessing your washing machine, ensuring proper ventilation, and other issues that make it just a little less convenient.
Why is the kitchen the best room for a washing machine?
Most people in the UK have their washing machine in the kitchen. If they don’t have it in the kitchen it’s usually because they have a separate utility room. It would be very uncommon to find a washing machine in any other room.
Because of the issues with other rooms, keeping your washing machine in either your kitchen or utility room simply makes sense here in the UK. And with a lot of homes not having a utility room, or many people needing to use their utility room for storage or other purposes, the kitchen naturally becomes the go to location.
There are still some downsides to keeping your washing machine in the kitchen. For example, they can be quite noisy which can be disruptive whilst you’re cooking or conversing. They can also produce unpleasant odours if they are not cleaned properly. And finally, some find it gross or unsanitary to keep it in the same room that food is prepared. It’s possible that food could fall into your clean laundry, or dirty washing could be left on your kitchen side.
However, there are solutions to minimise these problems. For example, you can purchase a machine with a certified Quiet Mark to keep noise pollution to a minimum. You can also purchase an integrated washing machine, so that you’re able to conceal it behind a door and further reduce the noise and spread of smells. Finally, with good cleaning practices and organisation, you can minimise the risk of cross-contamination between your laundry and your food.
What should I consider before installing my tumble dryer?
This will depend on which type of tumble dryer you have. Vented tumble dryers expel the warm air outside of your home via a vent. This means you need to position your tumble dryer directly next to an external wall. It is also important to install a vented tumble dryer in a well ventilated space to minimise the risk of a fire hazard.
According to AEG, its also recommended that you install a tumble dryer in a room where the temperature is at least 10°C or above. This is because heat pump and condenser dryers won’t work in colder climates. For this reason we wouldn’t advise installing a tumble dryer in a garage or outbuilding.
Another consideration is the flooring in the room you want to use. You can install a tumble dryer on hard surfaces including vinyl, tiled and laminate flooring. We do not advise installing a tumble dryer in a carpeted room. This can cause a potential fire risk when the appliance gets hot.
Where should you put a tumble dryer?
If space allows it, the best place to install your tumble dryer is in a utility room. you could even stack your washing machine and tumble dryer on top of each other to save space. Keeping your laundry appliances in a separate dedicated room means you can keep noise to a minimum elsewhere in the house. If, however you do not have a utility room the next best place to put your tumble dryer is in the kitchen. Your kitchen should have the right ventilation and flooring to accommodate your tumble dryer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best place to put your laundry appliances depends on your personal preferences as well as the layout of your home. It is important to consider the type of laundry appliance you have. In some cases, this will determine where your appliance is positioned. The kitchen is a popular choice in the UK due to practicality and plumbing considerations. However other rooms like the bathroom, utility room, or even a cupboard or garage may also be options.
We’re always more than happy to help with any laundry appliance questions you may have. Call our team of experts on 0115 965 1937.
