Washing machine/tumble dryers - raising them (from an engineer’s perspective please)

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I am planning an extension and reconfiguration of our current utility room. I’d like to keep our freestanding washing g machine (Miele, 16+ years old but still going strong) and tumble dryer (Bosch, again 16+ years old but doing really well). I see photos everywhere of washing machines and dryers that don’t sit directly on the floor, some are stacked (washer on the bottom, dryer on top), some have drawers below/in between to pull out and rest a basket whilst loading and unloading, some have storage below etc.

I am practical above everything else. Much as I’d like to be able to create a pretty utility room and stack the dryer or raise the washing machine, I am unsure whether this is a good idea when you have heavy machines, as I do, and older machines, as I do, which are more likely to need easy access to repair.

Please would someone with experience of repairing machines or fixing leaks or anything like this give me their view?

I don’t want to proceed with creating something that looks great and creates more useable space of what I’m really doing is creating a problem in the short terms

We've have done this (husband an engineer and does fix them when they break) it can be a bit extra faff to get them out again because they are heaby but its such a space saver and efficient as we gave the slide out drawers too that for us its worth it.

I would think about socket placement and having enough room either side for a person to lift them /move them. Potentially you could have a little hatch if they are going against a studd wall. All depends on your design/machines.

You need to consider the floor strength and then vibration management. You’ll need a very sturdy frame and it will need to be completely level. Consider padding around the sides. Considering the age of your machines I’d worry how heavy they are. Washer goes in the bottom as it’s heaviest. Modern dryers at least aren’t that heavy so lifting one in and out shouldn’t be much of an issue for two people.

I’ve got this and when we had a washing machine repair guy out a couple of years ago he had no problem shifting them around. I think they’re very used to this arrangement. I have an absolutely bog standard Argos tumble dryer though. The retailers who sell the plastic drawer/straps connector will have guidance in the product details, eg www.miele.co.uk/product/9612041/washer-dryer-stacking-kit-wtv-500

Mine aren't stacked any more, but I had my now 24yo drier stacked on top of a washer for many many years. Mine was just a makeshift stacking with a large mdf shelf screwed to the wall and then supported as well on the washing machine. It was it a corner next to the fridge freezer and I could move the tumble drier off myself when needed.

Washing machines are much heavier, I have seen raised ones so that the access is higher, but you would need to have a really sturdy frame for that.

Food for thought, thank you. They’d ideally be stacked against a wall to the side, but I take the point about padding round the sides and a sturdy frame. I would make sure that the frames are able to take the weight of the machines and get the stacking kit.

I dropped the guy who comes to fix them (and the dishwasher, he does everything) whenever needed a message, and he said that the Miele washing machine must go directly on the floor. He said it too heavy for it to go anywhere else.

I don’t really want to replace it, we’re spending so much on other things that it makes sense to keep a perfectly functioning Miele washing machine. But having them stacking and with a drawer in between would be utility room goals. And give me enough space for a tall cupboard for the vacuum, bucket and mop, sweeping brush etc.

How do you reach the top of a tumble dryer if it’s on top of the washing machine, or get the clothes out from the back of it? I’m only 5’2 so maybe for more average height people it’s not an issue. I love the look of it but in a practical level I can’t work out how I would manage.

@lincolnsosig if you get it plumbed in so the waste water drains away without you needing to empty it manually, you won't need to reach the top (except to press the buttons, which would be fine at 5'2).

We have our stacked, in a cupboard under the stairs (at the highest point under the stairs, so that there's plenty of room). However, we've recently had to have both repaired and it has been a nightmare. Lifting the dryer down takes two people - although it's not massively heavy, it's too tall for me - a short arse! - to reach easily. And then we have to take the cupboard doors off so that the machines can be manoeuvred into the hall or other space, to be worked on.

However it is a massive space-saver, so in our view it's been worth it.

If you have the room, I'd definitely have them side-by-side, and then shelves above, to make use of the wall space.

Oh - edited to add: if you can, have a solid shelf built, so that the dryer will sit on that, rather than be stacked on top of the washing machine. In that way you can at least get the washing machine out without having to lift the dryer off first.

Mine are stacked with a stacking kit that has a pull out shelf, which I recommend.

I would not want them raised for several reasons

1. the washing machine is bloody heavy and vibrates, even on a solid floor with a vibration pad under, I can’t conceive any kind of cabinetry would stand up to that long term.

2. occasionally we have to pull the machine out, this is already tricky due to stacking and room layout and weight, being raised would add a whole extra layer of impossible

3. If I’m emptying the dryer I put a laundry basket on the pull out shelf to empty it into (very handy). I can just about reach past the basket to the back of the dryer drum. Any higher and I wouldn’t be able to. I am quite short though.

PS stacking in itself is great and space saving without too many knock on issues (IME)

Raising appliances seems to be quite common in house builds in the US, as the need to fit under a counter is less common.

If I had the space I would build a brick plinth, and place the WM and the TD next to each other, so the TD could be moved away, to give access the WM, even if you have to turn it around.

Lifting a Miele WM might be "fun" as they are usually over 95KG.

I believe Miele WMs have removable front panel for repair / access which makes it a bit easier if it's hard to move.

We have a stack, but my builder DH said the dryer had to go on top. He said a washing machine on a spin cycle is quite a hard beast to tame and it belonged on the floor! We haven't hard to repair anything yet though - but he seems relaxed about that aspect!

We stacked ours with a kit I bought off Amazon.

The drier is about 50kg so I needed someone to help lift it on but how often do you really need to move them after that?

They do vibrate a bit when the washing machine does a spin cycle but otherwise seems ok.

The kit came with a wall eyelet and cable to secure it, make sure you fit that.