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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:
EarringsandLipstick · 15/02/2021 15:31

Do not get rid of downstairs toilet. You will be very grateful come the summer & your toilet-training toddler.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/02/2021 15:31

I would much prefer a laundry room. However, one of my pet hates is houses that have more toilets than bedrooms.. No idea why it annoys me so much!

I think two toilets is ample so a laundry room would be a priority for me. A friend of mine has a tiny kitchen but has a downstairs loo and it baffles me.

Nettleskeins · 15/02/2021 15:31

Completely mad to rip out downstairs loo!
Dryer can go where DW is for example.
I didnt have a dryer OR a downstairs loo. Dried things on washing line and rads, but tbh the lack of loo with 3 kids was infuriating. No room under stairs in our house cos of the angle of staircase, layout.
I grew up without a drier but we always had a downstairs loo.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/02/2021 15:32

Also, when looking at houses, I have discounted any that have a downstairs toilet but the other downstairs rooms are small. I wouldn't want to spend the extra money to fix it.

Alternista · 15/02/2021 15:32

Get a condenser dryer and put it upstairs. I really wouldn’t rip out the bathroom.

CounsellorTroi · 15/02/2021 15:32

Another person without a tumble drier. We did have a washer drier once but when it broke we just replaced it with a washing machine. We manage perfectly well without.

OddBoots · 15/02/2021 15:33

There are other clothes drying options like retractable or fold out sets of lines that with a dehumidifier would work in some places or the heated drying stands you could buy. It might be that you could use one of those options in the downstairs toilet so you can't use it while you are actually drying but can use it at other times and will be there when you move.

notacooldad · 15/02/2021 15:35

I'd rather have a tumble than a downstairs loo.
I guess you could always reinstate the loo if and when you come to sell.

IndecentFeminist · 15/02/2021 15:36

I'm not fussed by a downstairs loo personally, buy love a tumble dryer in the winter. Do you have outside drying space too?

dementedpixie · 15/02/2021 15:36

I've never had a tumble dryer and wouldn't get rid of a toilet for one either

parietal · 15/02/2021 15:38

we have a tumble drier but very rarely use it. a drying rack near a radiator (or a heated drying rack) does fine.

on the other hand, having a laundry room to get the noisy washing machine out of the kitchen is v v useful.

can you fit the washing machine in an upstairs bathroom? that can be more convenient for kids clothes & sheets?

CuntasarusRex · 15/02/2021 15:38

Definitely keep the toilet, I'd kill for a downstairs toilet. My dryer is in the garage. I've got family members who have had to put dryers in their bedroom and on their landing due to space, could that work?

FolkyFoxFace · 15/02/2021 15:39

I have a downstairs loo and no tumble drier. The clothes go on a maiden and are dry by the evening if I wash them in the morning, even in the winter. I love having a downstairs loo. No faffing if someone is using the upstairs bathroom.

bingoitsadingo · 15/02/2021 15:39

downstairs loo is definitely more important. I don't think building regs will let you take it out either.

Could the tumble drier go upstairs in the bathroom?

WolfHunter · 15/02/2021 15:39

You wouldn't need planning regs for this kind of internal alteration unless your property is listed. Or if you'd be changing the external at all.

I have no idea if this is possible. But could you just cap everything off so you can revert it back to a WC when moving or at least show the potential to a buyer in the future?

Downstairs toilet is great for us as I have a little one just out of nappies but a lot of the time they choose to go upstairs. I hated living in a property with external washroom.

It down to personal preference I guess. #nothelpful

TheWitchersWife · 15/02/2021 15:39

I couldn't be without my dryer, but I have a 2 and 3 year old and it would be sk much easier to have a toilet downstairs with toilet training and general every day life (we only have one).
Couldn't you get a washer dryer combo or find somewhere else for the dryer? Mines in the cupboard under the stairs.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 15/02/2021 15:40

Do you have space for both?

When I was growing up, our first house had a small downstairs toilet off the utility room, which housed the washing machine/dryer and was also used as a storage area for things like wellies, spare shoes, tennis rackets etc.

It wasn't very big (one washer, one dryer and a cupboard) but lots of wall space for storage. I wish we had space for one in my current house!

TitusPullo · 15/02/2021 15:40

I don’t have a tumble dryer or a downstairs toilet, deprived I know. I am always bemoaning the lack of a downstairs loo. Yes I am lazy but I would also like one for guests/tradespeople to use. I have not had much issue drying clothes using the clothes horse and the washing line. If the sun is shining the clothes go outside. Tumble dryers are also terrible for the environment.

Adancewithdragons · 15/02/2021 15:41

Nope it would put me off if there is no downstairs loo. Small potty training children it’s a non negotiable for a house IMO

Coughsyrupsucks · 15/02/2021 15:41

I have a small under stairs cupboard (1930s house), and it could either be a toilet or a mini laundry room. I went mini laundry room. EVERYONE who viewed my view wanted it to be a loo. I don’t have a garage so it’s going to have to stay as it is. So if you’re selling anytime soon, keep the loo.

redcandlelight · 15/02/2021 15:41

yabu
a tumble dryer you can put anywhere, even in a bedroom if needed.
but a downstairs toilet is absolutely essential imo.
sorry, your mum is right Wink

LST · 15/02/2021 15:41

I have my washer and tumble dryer in my downstairs loo. I take it that isn't an option? I've had my tumble dryer in my bedroom before when I lived in a flat and had no where else to put it.

I couldn't get rid of my downstairs loo as I have mobility issues and going up and downstairs would murder my knees. It would put me off a house if it didn't have one.

namechangetheworld · 15/02/2021 15:41

I've done toilet training with two children. It would have been a complete pain in the arse without a downstairs loo. It might affect the resale of your house too, especially if it's the kind of property that would attract young families.

We do have a tumble dryer but never use it. I think it makes everything smell weird! Don't you have radiators or an airing cupboard to hang stuff up?

HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst · 15/02/2021 15:41

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn on request of the poster.

DaphneDuBois · 15/02/2021 15:42

Is a combined washer/dryer not an option? We had a superb Miele one when we didn’t have room for a separate dryer.