Does Your Laundry have Limited Storage Space?
Every home has a limited amount of space available to work with, and it’s often the laundry that we try to squeeze the most out of.
Stacking your washer and dryer is a good use of vertical space.
If you buy your washing machine and dryer from the same brand, they can often sell you a stacking kit. It’s is an accessory that fits between a front load washing machine and a dryer to ensure that the two appliances are safely fixed together. The kit is designed to evenly distribute the weight of the dryer on top of the washing machine, and to absorb vibrations from both appliances while they’re running, holding them in place and not allowing the dryer to move and/or fall.
It’s important to check which washing machines and dryers are compatible with each stacking kit before you make your purchase.
What if I can’t find an appropriate stacking kit?
You can use a simple rubber mat sold by appliance retailers, to absorb any vibrations between your washing machine and dryer. Even if you have a washing machine and dryer from different brands, you can still stack them and save space in your laundry. They also work under your fridge to reduce noise and add some extra stability on an uneven floor. Especially on gently sloped designed to allow water to flow towards a drain.
PLEASE NOTE: Rubber mats are designed for use with a VENTED dryer and front-load washer. Stacking a CONDENSER dryer on a front-loading washer without a stacking kit is dangerous, so for your own safety we don’t recommend this.
Which way can I stack my washing machine and dryer?
In most cases, you can stack any dryer on top of a washing machine if the width and depth measurements are equal, or if the dryer's width and depth are smaller than the washing machine.
You cannot stack a bigger dryer on top of a smaller washer it’s unsafe!
The best way to be sure is to check with the retailer or manufacturer prior to purchase.
Can I stack my washing machine on top of a dryer?
No. Washing machines are too heavy, especially when full of water and wet clothes. The vibration during the spin cycle also increases the risk of movement.
Stacking Checklist
Check and measure the space you have allocated for your washing machine and dryer.
Calculate the combined height, width and depth of the washing machine, the stacking kit or rubber mat and the dryer to understand the total dimensions of your appliances.
Allow a few centimetres on either side of the appliances for ventilation and a few centimetres at the back for the hoses and plumbing.
Check that the dimensions of the dryer are the same or slightly smaller than the washing machine. Consider stacking appliances of the same brand together. Brands specifically design stacking kits to their brand-specific dimensions.
Don't try and work alone. Organise at least two or more people to lift the dryer up and into place it onto the stacking kit. Condenser dryers can weigh upwards of 50kg.
Most retailers offer installation services for an additional fee. Having your washer and dryer stacked by a professional installation service is a worthwhile investment. Find a service that delivers and installs the appliances at the same time. They can also run a cycle to test the stacked appliances to ensure the structure is stable and safe, to give you that added peace of mind.
Can I stack my washing machine and dryer without a stacking kit OR rubber mat?
We don’t recommend it. Even though a dryer doesn’t vibrate as much as a washer while in use, there’s still a risk that if it jumps around while running it could fall off the top of your washing machine and land on the floor!
I have a top-loading washer.
Obviously, stacking only works for front-opening washing machines and dryers, because your top-loading washer needs a minimum lid clearance to open and use.
Is there an alternative to stacking a washer and dryer?
An option is to use a bracket to attach your dryer to a wall, it’s an efficient use of vertical space and will work if you have a top-loading washing machine.
Two important things to remember when it comes to wall mounting a dryer:
You can only wall-mount vented dryers, which blast out the moisture they remove from your clothes in the form of hot steam. Condenser dryers, which collect the moisture in a tank of condensed water, are too heavy to wall-mount safely, though they can be stacked.
Many vented dryer models can actually be wall-mounted upside down, which has the advantage of keeping their controls within easy reach without needing a stepladder. Models that can do this typically include a set of stickers or decals that can help to re-label the controls so you don’t have to stand on your head to understand what you’re doing. To confirm if a dryer can be wall-mounted upside down, check with the retailer or manufacturer before purchase.
Also, keep in mind that wall-mounting a clothes dryer does require a bit of work in the laundry, and if you’re a renter, your real estate and/or landlord may not approve of you drilling holes for a wall-mounting bracket without their permission.
Aside from stacking kits, you may be able to purchase a pedestal. It’s a raised platform that sits underneath a washing machine or dryer. It lifts the appliance up to a more accessible height, and some come with storage drawers. Each specific brand is generally only compatible with its own models.
Please note: you can only place one appliance on a single pedestal.