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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to argue a tumble dryer is more important than a downstairs toilet

288 replies

user1471462428 · 15/02/2021 15:18

I have a three bed townhouse. Top floor has en-suite,middle floor has a family bathroom and ground floor with a small toilet. I would like to rip this out and replace with a small laundry washing machine, tumble dryer and a pulley maid. My mum thinks I will devalue the house doing this and it will be inconvenient for the kids. I’m looking to move in the next five years but don’t want to be running to the laundrette to dry clothes till then. AIBU

OP posts:
Letsgetbizzy · 15/02/2021 15:20

I'd give my eye teeth for a downstairs loo. Can you put a dryer in a garage or shed? We have ours outside.

I'm with your mum on this one

toomuchtooold · 15/02/2021 15:20

It costs about 10 quid for a basic white porcelain loo. You'd spend that on laundrette drying in about a month! I would go for it.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 15/02/2021 15:21

I think your mum is right. Could you find space for a condenser tumble dryer somewhere?

Tohaveandtohold · 15/02/2021 15:21

I would always prefer a downstairs toilet in a house. Can’t you get a shed that you can put a dryer in as I’ve seen houses where people do that pretty easily they get a powerful washer dryer so just the washing machine space needed

Comefromaway · 15/02/2021 15:22

You don;t have a tumble dryer at all?

Yes, I'd say thats pretty essential.

CaraDuneRedux · 15/02/2021 15:22

Laundry room, definitely.

I really struggle to keep on top of the drying in our house in winter.

AaronPurr · 15/02/2021 15:22

I think a downstairs toilet is a better use of the space. As well as your mum's point about it being convenient for children, it's also helpful for guest. When we're allowed people round again.

But I don't actually own a tumble dryer, so my view may be skewed.

SquirtleSquad · 15/02/2021 15:23

Which other rooms are on the ground floor?

DinosaurDiana · 15/02/2021 15:23

Definitely kept the downstairs loo for visitors and workmen/workwomen.

LouHotel · 15/02/2021 15:23

Could it fit both with a sink built into the toilet?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 15/02/2021 15:23

I would do it. It would be easy to replace the loo when you move if it turns out it’s losing you buyers.

titchy · 15/02/2021 15:23

I agree with your mum! The tumble drier can go anywhere - it doesn't need its own special place.

SeasonFinale · 15/02/2021 15:25

Downstairs loo would win every time.

To the poster who queried you not having a tumble drier - I guess you are American. It is quite normal not to have a drier in the UK.

Inpersuitofhappiness · 15/02/2021 15:25

If there's absolutely nowhere else, I guess.

I'd not want to lose the downstairs loo though.

Can you not put it in a shed outside?

DreamingInColours · 15/02/2021 15:25

Your mum is right about re sale value. We wouldn't even consider houses that didn't have a downstairs loo when recently buying.

FuckyouCovid21 · 15/02/2021 15:25

@Comefromaway

You don;t have a tumble dryer at all?

Yes, I'd say thats pretty essential.

Really? I'm 47 years old and never had a tumble dryer and manage perfectly well to get clothes dry.
TheMotherMum · 15/02/2021 15:25

If I move from my flat to a house a downstairs toilet is a must, my DD can't make it up the stairs to the toilet sometimes. I'd take that over a dryer everytime.

StrawBeretMoose · 15/02/2021 15:26

No way would I remove the downstairs loo for a tumble dryer.
Yes it would put me off the house if buying.

@toomuchtooold I would not be buying a 10 pound loo nor fitting it myself so the cost would be considerably more.

I'd look at putting the dryer elsewhere or possibly a washer dryer.

ClaudiaWankleman · 15/02/2021 15:27

I think it would be highly unusual to see a laundry room including pulley maid in a house in the UK. Is there any way to fit them all in the room, or is there capacity to put a washer driver in the cupboard under the stairs or something?

Original poster
user1471462428 · 15/02/2021 15:27

@toomuchtooold I spend £15 a month on drying at the month. House is too cold to dry here.
@Tohaveandtohold I do have a shed but I’d have to run electric to it and get rid of the bikes. It’s an option I guess
@Letsgetbizzy I don’t use the downstairs toilet at all but have a toddler who will be toilet training this summer.
@TestingTestingWonTooFree the house is very tall and thin so not actually as big as it sounds

OP posts:
randomsabreuse · 15/02/2021 15:27

Not sure you'd get building regs to remove a downstairs toilet. Building regs require all new builds to have a downstairs toilet which is accessible, even if the house plot can only be reached by using stone steps...

ElizaLaLa · 15/02/2021 15:27

I'd prefer the laundry room. Unless disabilities are involved, what's so hard about walking upstairs to use the toilet? #FuckingLazy

BashfulClam · 15/02/2021 15:27

I’ve never owned a tumble drier. Awful for the environment and my washing is hung up either outside or indoors with a dehumidifier running. I’d not give up my downstairs loo for one...ever!

TriflePudding · 15/02/2021 15:28

Keep the downstairs loo, get a condenser dryer that can go anywhere.

StanfordPines · 15/02/2021 15:30

@BashfulClam

I’ve never owned a tumble drier. Awful for the environment and my washing is hung up either outside or indoors with a dehumidifier running. I’d not give up my downstairs loo for one...ever!
Why is running a tumble dryer worse than running a dehumidifier?