Washer & Dryer Stacking Kits: Everything You Need to Know
Washers and dryers take up a lot of space in any home, especially when they’re placed side-by-side. Stacked washers and dryers, by contrast, free up loads of valuable floor space, which can be used for extra storage or to create a more clutter-free look and feel. Whether you’re in a sprawling detached house or a small one-bedroom condo, tucking a stacked washer and dryer set into a closet or corner of the basement is one of the best ways to optimize your home’s laundry area.
If you’re thinking about stacking your old washer and dryer set, or stacking a pair of new laundry appliances, you’ll need a compatible stacking kit. A stacking kit maximizes stability and ensures the dryer won’t accidentally slip off the washer.
Can Any Washer and Dryer Be Stacked?
No. Only certain models that have been specifically designed to work with a stacking kit can be stacked. Both the washer and dryer need to be roughly the same dimensions, especially their width and depth. For accessibility reasons, only front-loading washers and front-loading dryers can be stacked together. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean all front-loading units can be safely stacked.
If you’re unsure whether your front-loading washer and dryer can be stacked with each other, consult the manufacturer’s website or instruction manuals for clarification.
Brand-Specific Stacking Kits vs. Universal Stacking Kits
Your washer and dryer may require a brand-specific stacking kit as opposed to a universal one. Again, be sure to check with the manufacturer or your washer and dryer instruction manuals for clarification. It’s always best to follow the suggestions of the manufacturer, so even if you think a universal stacking kit will work, err on the side of caution. When required or recommended, brand- and model-specific stacking kits are the safest option.
Tips for How to Safely Stack a Washer and Dryer
When it comes time to stack your washer and your dryer, follow these tips to ensure a safe and successful installation.
Measure Your Space
Washers and dryers come in all shapes and sizes. Just because the footprint of your old set fit in your laundry closet doesn’t mean your new one will, so be sure to measure first. Take special care to measure the height your stacked washer and dryer will be once placed. Also remember to leave room at the back of each unit for the dryer hose and washing machine hoses.
Stack the Dryer on Top
When stacking a washing machine and dryer together, always place the dryer on top. Washing machines are heavier than dryers, especially when they’re loaded with water. They also tend to vibrate more than dryers. As such, washing machines should always be placed firmly on the ground.
Lose the Pedestals
Laundry pedestals are helpful additions to any laundry room, providing much-needed extra storage space for things like detergent and fabric softener. Unfortunately, they can’t safely support the weight of a stacked washer and dryer set. In all likelihood, they’ll also make your dryer’s controls too high to reach.
Make Sure You Can Open the Doors
When stacking a washer and dryer, one of the most overlooked aspects is how the doors will open.
The easiest things to overlook when you’re planning to stack a washer and dryer are the doors. Specifically, how much room will you have to open them? If you’re placing them in a closet, for instance, you may have less clearance to each side. You may need to select a washer and dryer with reversible hinges, so you can change the direction each door opens.