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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - washing machine in bathroom -tedious post

116 replies

Rosevi · 05/03/2018 15:45

We have a massive bathroom which I think we could put our washing machine in. Husband is mortified at the suggestion. When I lived in London it was a common sight in studio flats and I think it makes sense. I have no objections to it being in the kitchen but for me it would make more sense to have dirty clothes in the bathroom than near a food preparation area. Does anyone out there have a washing machine in their bathroom?
AIBU to think that this is no big deal?

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 07/03/2018 16:40

Well, they do put three-pin plugs on them....... Grin

windchimesabotage · 07/03/2018 16:40

YANBU that seems like a excellent idea! Much cleaner to have dirty clothing in the bathroom that the kitchen. And if the bathroom is big enough so the sockets wont be too near water then why not?

Isetan · 07/03/2018 16:46

A three pin plug doesn’t render a washing machine unsuitable for a bathroom.

Shutupanddance1 · 07/03/2018 16:47

I live abroad and in our old flat we had them in the bathroom, behind the shower. Perfect position and meant that we didn’t have clothes everywhere..

In this house it’s even better as we have a separate room altogether, the washing machine and dryer fit in snugly side by side. It’s small but you can close the door and keep all your dirty laundry out of sight! If I ever get around to owing/renovating my own house I’ll defo sacrifice the space for the same set up

tortelliniforever · 07/03/2018 16:47

I have a washing machine and a dryer in the bathroom.

tortelliniforever · 07/03/2018 16:51

To comply with these protocols, the bathroom must be large enough to place the washing machine a minimum of 3m away from the nearest edge of the bath or shower."

3 metres seems a really huge gap - ours is about 10 cm!

oldbirdy · 07/03/2018 18:42

Isetan
It doesn't matter what I think about whether they make special machines for the UK market does it. What matters is that for the building regulations approval the machine needs to specify that it is suitable for use in bathrooms. The machine manufacturers selling to the UK don't make that specification. I assume it is because if there were ever an accident and the machine was not specified as safe for a bathroom the company would not be liable in a way it would in the UK if the company had specified they are safe for this zone.

Is it actually any more unsafe than that same machine in a German bathroom? Of course not. However the UK rules are stricter and therefore the same machine breaks the rules.

redastherose · 07/03/2018 18:49

It makes perfect sense to put it there if that's where the space is available. I rented a house with a utility room upstairs next to the bedrooms. It was fantastic! Saved so much time and was so convenient.

NotCitrus · 07/03/2018 19:02

I've lived in countries with the washer in the bathroom, or in a utility room, but the best arrangement was a chute in the bathroom cabinet which went to a laundry room in the basement. No chugging in a room next to you.
ATM the washer and dryer are in our kitchen as the bathroom is only 5x8', but eventually may put them in the loft bathroom.

Original poster
Rosevi · 07/03/2018 22:38

A chute in the bathroom cabinet is an excellent idea!

Husband is reluctant with the idea of putting it in the bathroom because it might put people off. No plans to sell the house in the near future so i’m not sure what that debate is all about!

OP posts:
ariettyspaghetti · 07/03/2018 22:44

great idea (if no utility). i hate washing machines in kitchens if really makes no sense and that space is valuable.

speakout · 08/03/2018 06:29

I wouldn't like it. I line dry outdoors all year, even winter and I don't want to be carrying damp clothes downstairs to take outside. Even if you tumble you will be carrying heavy damp clothes downstairs.
Also my bathroom is a room to relax and indulge. I have things that are pleasing to the eye, nice prints, candles.
Having a bath is a little bit of therapy away from the demands of everyday life. I don't want to be staring at a washing machine when I am trying to switch off for half an hour.

Bumbledumb · 08/03/2018 07:36

Building regs for England state:

Regulation 701.55 restricts the type of fixed and permanently connected current-using equipment that can be installed in zone 1. Washing machines and tumble dryers may be installed in a bathroom provided they are:

supplied from a switched fused flex outlet installed outside the zones (socket outlets are only allowed 3 m horizontally from the boundary of zone 1);
protected by a 30 mA RCD; and
permitted for such installation by the manufacturer.

So they do not have to be 3m from the bath. If they are plugged in to a socket in the bathroom, that socket must be 3m from the bath.

KC225 · 08/03/2018 07:47

I have a my washing machine and dryer next to each other upstairs in the side hallway, off the main landing so it's not the first thing you see when you go up the stairs. There is a pulley maid (Victorian pulleymaid.co.uk) above it and a matching shelf to the side for washing powder, conditioner and stain removals etc. It is almost opposite my bathroom and I love having the wash upstairs. So much easier to sort and to pack away.

MrsJoshDun · 08/03/2018 07:56

I dint think building regs are enforced in existing houses? Unless doing building work/extension.

Saw a house renovation programme the other day where the building inspector came round and made them swap the bedroom doors to fire doors as the kitchen/downstairs was open plan. Our house doesn’t have fire doors and we’re open plan downstairs. First I’d heard of it.

Manchestermanchester · 01/02/2020 12:50

Wow I didn’t realise this was legal!

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