Top 5 Disadvantages Of Stacking Washer And Dryer – Let’s Fix It

You may have already heard about the new laundry units that are available on the market. If you haven’t, then there are a few common units that you will want to learn about. The first one is the stacked units. This unit joins two units into one, where they share a vertical space under your roof. These units are recommended by some, but we advise to stay away from them.

Disadvantages Of Stacking Washer And Dryer

While stacked units may be a convenient space-saving option, there are several reasons why using them is not worth it. For one, they leave less room for your clothes — and if this isn’t an issue, then you’ll better off with a portable washer and dryer, which lets you move the units easily and even use them outside if you like. Another common reason that stacked units are not worth getting is that they can tip over.

1. Smaller capacity

While the capacity of compact washers is small compared to regular ones, they are designed to meet the needs of smaller households. A 2.5 cubic-foot space is adequate for a full or queen size comforter that’s used only two to four times a year. If you’re looking for something with a larger capacity, you might want to opt for a more full sized model instead.

Stackable machines tend to have smaller capacity than freestanding units. But you can find ones with up to 6 cubic feet of capacity. Just keep in mind that a larger capacity means the unit will take up more space, possibly negating the benefits of having a compact stackable machine in the first place. Stackable washers and dryers offer a compact footprint in your laundry room, but they’re not all created equal. A full-size stackable unit will still take up the same amount of space as a traditional top-load washer and dryer — it just splits in half to make it seem like you have more room.

2. Difficult Installation

As you know, the washer and dryer units have to be stacked in order to save space. However, while moving a stacked dryer onto a washer is no problem at all, moving a stacked washer onto a dryer is a whole other trouble. And, if you do manage to set it up yourself it would take a lot of hard work.

If you’re planning on purchasing a stackable dryer, be sure to consider how it will affect your laundry setup. Stacking appliances can be costly and it may take up too much space. The last thing you want is to have your heavy dryer toppling over onto your washer or vice versa.

When stacking the dryer, you will have to hire a professional to help you with the installation. It can be difficult for one person to carry the machine up the stairs, so it is necessary to enlist help. Depending on how your building works, you may want to consider buying two machines instead of one that stacks, as they are easier to move and handle.

3. Switching Clothes

Stacked washers and dryers are an apparent choice for many consumers, but many are frustrated with the inconvenience of having to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer. Stacking them takes up more room, making it harder to switch out loads easily, leading to wrinkled clothing. Stacked washers and dryers also require consumers to bend over more frequently to open or close the door, which can be exhausting after a long day’s work. Why bend over and reach your washer when you can just pick up and place it in your dryer? The same is also true in reverse. And the awkwardness of having to bend over in front of your washer to line up the connectors, or trying to fit them into a poorly designed slot means that so many people give up before they’ve even started their wash cycle.

Stacked machines are significantly harder to use than side-by-side sets. You can’t choose between the front-load and top-load washer, so you’ll never have the option of getting your clothes super clean without having to sacrifice your decision-making prowess in the process.

4. Out of Reach

As any woman will tell you, it can be incredibly frustrating when you reach for a top shelf in the kitchen only to find that your arms aren’t long enough. This can be especially troublesome when it comes to reaching the dryer’s control panel in order to switch it on and off. And in some cases, it can be downright dangerous — having to climb a ladder or balance precariously on a chair.

Stacked washers and dryers are not the perfect solutions for all customers. Stacked units can be difficult to operate, especially for people with limited mobility. Stacked units are often too tall for customers to reach their clothing at the top of the unit. You may think you’re saving space on laundry day, but stacked units actually take up more room than single units.

When you need extra washing and drying space, stacked washer and dryers is a solid and compact solution.  However, they can also be a nightmare to use: many units place the dryer’s controls and vents far above ground level, which means you’ll have to climb onto a tall stepstool or small ladder in order to monitor your laundry — and your laundry room may not even have a ladder for you to use.

5. Safety Issues

Balance is very important. A steady base will provide your machine with the support it needs to prevent any problems during the cleaning process. If you don’t get a fitting stacking kit, the machine sits on top of the dryer without any support. If these two units are knocked out of place or fall to the ground, they could get damaged and cause serious injury to anyone that might be in close proximity.

You might not have a lot of people at home or it can be difficult to get help from family members to stack the washer and dryer. Most people aren’t particularly excited about this job, as your appliances take up way too much room in your home. The best thing you can do is to find a company that offers stacking washer and dryer services .

If you stack your laundry equipment, you’ll be putting extra stress on your machine and its components, and that means shortening the lifespan of its motor, heater, and other expensive parts.