washer/dryer for apt.

17 years ago

I am really desperate to do laundry (for myself, husband, and 3 kids)in my own apt. instead of in the communal co-op laundry room or sending out to the laundromat. However, I only have about 23" between refrigerator and sink to install a combo unit or stackable, or I am thinking perhaps I can install something in a closet that has access to the bathroom pipes (I know you can turn off the water through this closet, so I am assuming I'd have access to plumbing there?) Can anyone recommend a good combination unit or stackable narrow one with condensation dryer, as I can't vent it. Also, I would have to upgrade from 110V to 220V so 110V machines would be better. TIA.

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Comments (9)

oregpsnow
17 years ago
You may want to look at W/D aimed at the RV market. Some of them are 23". One that might be of interest is Edgestar. I don't know much about them but they have a few different models both vented and non-vented. Watch any non-vented dryer - they may make the communal laundry room look good after a while. VERY long dry times - 6-8 hours sometimes, and they can dry about half as much as they wash.
jamesk
17 years ago
Most of the smallest footprint Euro units are just a hair under 24" in width and depth. If all you have is 23", they probably won't work. Besides, you'll need 220 volts to operate them.

I wouldn't recommend one of the combination washer/dryers. Those are the ones that take hours to dry a half-size load. Contrary to the previous post, modern condensing (ventless) dryers will dry a full-sized load in very nearly the same time as an ordinary vented dryer. I think the previous poster is confusing a combination washer/dryer with a condensing dryer. Condensing dryers are a separate stand-alone appliance which can be stacked on top of a matching washer.

A couple of other things you probably want to check into. First, would your apartment or condominium allow you to install your own laundry appliances. Many buildings have specific rules against this. Second, assuming that they would allow a personal laundry, in addition to water supply, you also need a 2" drain standpipe. Most local building codes won't allow you to simply tap into an existing drain. You need a separate, vented standpipe or utility sink.

I can certainly understand your not wanting to deal with a communal laundry or laundromat, but installing a washer and dryer isn't just a matter of finding the space and connecting to a water supply. Do your homework before jumping into this, or you could end up with laundry appliances that you can use only as doorstops.
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Well, one could always wash their clothes in the bath tub. You would likely use more water by doing that than using a tiny portable washer. I agree. Some in building laundromats cost anywhere from 1.50 on up, and are often poorly maintained. In our building, we have had people do their business in the washers and dryers!!! Plus the bed bugs that get left in there by people putting junk in the laundry rooms. In our building, we have 1 washer and dryer for 12 apartments on each floor. People may tie them up or hog the usage of them so it is hard for everybody to use them. And with the weather getting colder, you might find somebody sneaking in to find a warm place to stay and since these laundry rooms are not being used at night they sleep in there. I honestly if I owned a building like this, I would allow them to have the washers but no dryers as those can be a fire hazard. But if any caused a flood in their apartment, I would revoke that individual's right to have the washer. In answer to nctrnl, there are mini portables that are about 26"X14"X29" that are very lightweight and can be placed in the bathtub or shower. They do not have wheels on them, they have a tub for washing (agitator is a small spinner on the bottom of the machine. Then there is the spinner side where you put half the load you just washed into the spinner, put the little plastic disk on top to scrunch the clothes down, close the lid, and it spins the clothes out. You can look this up online and see the many brands that are available out there. I kid you not, these little machines are small enough for you to either place on your shower bench or to sit them down inside the bathtub. You just cannot place as many clothes in a load to wash. Plus, you can reused your tub of rinse water as the next load's wash water. I had one of these kind about 40 years ago and that's how I did it. They have the newer lighter models now. I would never suggest you use one in the kitchen as there is always a danger of flooding. To avoid plugging up the drains, place a knee-high nylon over the end of the drain hose so it catches whatever lint the machine throws out.
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It is often a case of you get what you pay for. Off brands are often harder to get serviced, stacked one piece units tend to be low end small units that cost more than their comparable side by sides. When needing to make room for a freezer I opted instead to go with a set of stackable front loaders in the form of the Whirlpool Duet Sport, it is not the cheapest front loader on the market, but is far from the most expensive, I paid around $1350 for the set on sale, someone online says Best Buy has them listed at $999 for the Black Friday sale after thanksgiving. Sure it is more money than the one piece units, but it is money that buys you quality, and features doing a quick web search the cheapest one piece stack set at Sears.com is on sale for $719, and the cheapest at Lowes is $898 so it really is not that much more, and in the long run the savings on water, power and being gentler on your clothes will likely make up for the higher up front expense.
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Or, could you build an opened cabinet for the washer, tall enough to hold a counter, then place the dryer onto the counter. Then they operate separate. The cabinet for the counter would have to be strong enough to hold the weight, but if you used a laminate product I would think that would hold a dryer, they aren't that heavy. Something I had considered several years ago when I was planning my remodel.
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lee676
17 years ago
All currently available condensation dryers require 208V or 240V power (except for washer/dryer combo units, which usually run on 120V).
wolfie1812
17 years ago
There are condensation dryers on the market? I was not aware of this. I was looking at the combo washer/dryers as an option as I will have difficutly getting a dryer vent put in. What manufactures make them? I looked through the postings and it could be that I am blind and just missed it.

Thanks!
aprince
17 years ago
Look at Asko for a condensing dryer. T712C and T741. these are small but very nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Asko
oregpsnow
17 years ago
Just for fun I looked up the Asko T712C. Nowhere does Asko say what the capacity is in real numbers (they do say it has a large drying chamber ???) and the only price I could find online was $1200. Good grief.
lee676
17 years ago
The new Bosch ventless dryer (WTE86300US) looks interesting - 4 cu.ft. capacity makes it the largest available that I know of - most are only 3.6 cu.ft. I also like the window in the door.
jamesk
17 years ago
For stand-alone condensing dryers you're pretty much limited to the Euro brands. Miele (Touchtronic), Asko and Bosch Axxis.

Here is a link that might be useful: Miele Touchtronic Condensing Dryer
wolfie1812
17 years ago
Thanks very much for the information. I will have to look into it and see if DH is wanting to take a look at these over the combo units.

washer/dryer for apt.

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oregpsnow

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