To stack or not to stack? (washing machine + tumble dryer)

[NoIdeasForWittyNickname]

We're considering a single-storey rear extension + reconfig of other parts of the ground floor, which may give us an option for a (very modest) utility / laundry room space. It'll be big enough to house a separate washing machine and a tumble dryer on the floor level, but if they're stacked, we can have a bit more storage and add a utility sink. I've always wanted to banish washing/drying machines away from the kitchen and it's the first time I may be able to do so, which is very exciting But I'd be grateful for a bit of advice. Would you rather have (a) a modes storage upgrade + a utility sink but stacked appliances or (b) floor-level washing machine and tumble dryer but slightly more modest storage and no utility sink?

Definitely stack. Why wouldn't you? What is making you hesitate?

I've talked to a couple of friends and today and they said stacking is the last resort, too heavy on the back to load / offload the top unit

*apologies for typos, looks like bed time for me

Stacking them is ideal, drier on top. If you don't put a sink in your utility room, it's not worth having a utility room IMO.

I don't get the issue about it being too heavy on the back unless you have serious mobility issues or back pain. It's not at all, in my experience. It's the most practical option in a small space.

Stack. When it's wet, you're sorting which bit can go in the dryer so it's not heavy. When it's dry it's light. I mean it's a load of laundry, not rocks.

Too heavy on the back? What are they talking about. I put the wet stuff in a basket, hold the basket with the lip slipped on to the top of the washer, load the drier, job done.
Even without resting the bad jet uts not to heavy at all.

Definitely stack - dryer on top. Loading/unloading the washing machine won't be any different to usual, and it's easy to put the stuff into the dryer after unloading the w/machine (possibly better than before, as you won't have to lean down).

We have them stacked. It didn't even cross my mind not to as it makes far more sense space wise. I don't have back problems though and really don't mind bending down to open and close the washing machine.

Another vote for stack here. We did exactly that and put in a sink which is so incredibly useful for dozens of activities I wouldn't want to use the kitchen sink for like soaking clothes, washing wellies, scrubbing pet stuff and tipping away mop water etc etc

We are thinking of stacking as we don't have a sink in our utility room but like @DramaAlpaca says why bother having a utility room!

My only concern is where the pipe for the tumble dryer goes- I'm presuming just higher up the wall??

We are doing exactly this in our. Single story utility area, by stacking it means I can have my, much lusted after' dishwasher (in soooooo excited)

Stack. Mine have been stacked for over 10 years with no issues whatsoever

We have a tiny utility so have them stacked, tumble on top.

Not sure what's meant by the weight comment but it's caused us no issues.

I wouldn't stack if I have the space. It'll feel as if it'll fall off. Also, it's dangerous for little kids

Stack! I haven’t and regret it. Oh and definitely a sink for pets (for us cleaning cat litter trays) and muddy boots.

I’d stack but one thing I wasn’t aware of is that the universal stacking kits don’t work with washing machines with curved rather than squared off tops. So depending on your washing machine style you may need a shelf built rather than a stacking kit.

Surely the height issue is simillar to bending to hang washing on a conventional washing line...

@chukwe there are special stacking braces for it - you don't just put one on top of the other as of course the vibration would move it.
I would have thought stacking better for the back as you don't have to bend over to use the dryer.
We've had it stacked and it was fine.
I hate having a washer in the kitchen now but in my new house no room for it to be elsewhere. I'm going to stack one side and then have space for laundry basket in the empty space with shelves above (if boiler doesn't go there). In my current kitchen, the machines are side by side in a bog cupboard, so the laundry basket, brought down from bathroom, sits in the kitchen (basket has white and dark plus towels from the downstairs bathroom etc) so there's always one there cluttering up space.

I think it depends on what you imagine you'll use the space for. If you stack them and then have a sink, will you have any work top space?

I currently have them side by side with a worktop over - we have toaster on there and various other things which we'd have to find a place for, plus the worktop space is so valuable.

@Livingintheclouds I understand if you don't have the space. But if you have the space or in the position to create a space for a dryer, then I won't advice someone to stack it.

OP is in the position to create a space for it, so don't stack

I can’t weigh in on the stack/don’t stack debate as I don’t have experience of stacked. However, I’m going to be controversial and say that I don’t think you always need a sink in a utility room. We’ve had one for 10 years and it’s used so infrequently that I have to remind myself to run the tap every so often to keep water in the u-bend and prevent smells. I am seriously considering getting rid of it to make more space for our heated airer when we refit later this year (hopefully!)

Mitigating factors - we have an outside tap and sink just outside the door, so dirty boots etc don’t make it into the house and our downstairs loo is accessed from the utility room and has space for a nice a fluffy hand towel, so I tend to open the door, lean in and wash my hands in that sink. I probably soak stained clothes once a year so not worth having a sink just for this.

Get the stacking kit with the pull out shelf- sit the wet stuff/ basket there when loading the dryer and the use it for folding the dry stuff later, great if you have back problems.

Stack. 100%. If you can, near an external wall so you can have a vented drier - much cheaper and generally more efficient than condensing (even if your current one is condensing, it means you've got the option to replace with vented when it dies).

We also don't use our utility sink. Could have done without it easily.

If you stack then you have to lift every wet garment -either separately or together - from the washing machine to the dryer. Pain in the back - literally! Keeping them side by side gives you space for a big counter which is far more useful than the space saved by stacking. Counter can be used for dry/wet clothes, baskets, detergents/cans, ironing even. We chose the latter when we had the choice.

@chukwe

I wouldn't stack if I have the space. It'll feel as if it'll fall off. Also, it's dangerous for little kids

You don't just plonk one on top of the other! You get a stacking kit so that the top machine is safely anchored.