Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Sep 08, 2009 2:27 am Hi all, I am hoping to reinvigorate the topic of installing 'micro laundries' in kitchens. There was a much older post which discussed putting washers and dryers behind cupboards in the kitchen which linked to some pics at this website: http://www.provincialkitchens.com.au/laundries.html I am very seriously considering extending the existing kitchen bench and building a new line of cupboards under the living room side of the kitchen bench to house a quiet front loading washing machine. This way when we are not using the machine we can close the cupboard doors and it will be hidden from view, and it will also mean we can take the current washing machine out of the main bathroom and create more space. Lastly, it will give us more storage in the other cupboards we will build along side. We are not too worried about noise in the living room as we will most likely invest in a high end machine from Europe. I am hoping anyone who has seen this done or has done something similar can give me their opinion and advice. The kitchen sink is already in the bench so supply and return waste plumbing already exists in the correct position, and i beleive we could quite easily upgrade the plumbing to accomodate the machine. I would much prefer for us to be able to close the doors on it when it is not in use rather than have it on view which is common in England. I am not sure if there might be ventilation problems in using a washing machine in an enclosed cupboard with little rear and side ventilation – we intend to leave the door open for some ‘front ventilation’ whilst it is in use. Perhaps we would need to use a semi water proof cabinet material to house it??... Does anyone own a new Miele, ASKO or AEG washing machine? Is there much moisture or condensation at the rear of the machine as a result of normal use? Thanks in advance for your advice, Tim Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 2Sep 08, 2009 5:08 pm I wouldn't want my dirty clothes especially underwear or dirty nappies anywhere near my kitchen. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 4Sep 08, 2009 5:22 pm Quote: I'm English. . . most houses I lived in in England have their washing machines in the kitchen! Were these houses hundreds of years old or new? Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 5Sep 08, 2009 5:53 pm Does anyone else have a different opinion than buildingwithhamra?? FWIW, we do not have children (so no nappies) and will be using a laundry hamper so we won’t have any problems with dirty undies. Also the building is from 1870 so yes it is an old building. Yes jodge! -When i visited England i found many kitchens also housed a visible front loading washing machine. Did you ever know of anyone hiding their washing machine behind a kitchen cupboard? Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 6Sep 08, 2009 6:16 pm Hello! I think that, until recently there just wasn't enough space in a typical English house to have a separate laundry (or utillity room), so we just had to cope with having the washer in the kitchen. . . also, the trend in houses until recently (well, probably before about 20 years ago) was to have the kitchen separate from the living areas, so you never had to try and hear what was going on on Eastenders when spin cycle was on. I did a quick google on "integrated washing machine" and here's what I found. . . http://www.productreview.com.au/category.php?cat_id=1041§ion=ITEMS&manf_id=1074 http://www.nextag.co.uk/integrated-washing-machine/zzukzB1z42--compare-html http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/integrated-washing-machines.asp http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/category/1728/Integrated-Washing-Machines http://www.asko.com.au/laundry-appliances/washing-machines/washing-machine-w6903/ Some of them are UK sites, but at least now you know that what you're looking for is available! (Also, I'd be going to a kitchen manufacturer and asking if they've done anything like it before) Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 7Sep 09, 2009 7:39 am I would never have my laundry in my kitchen... E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter run rampant in most people's washing machines and dryers, making it far too easy to contaminate surfaces that you then cook on. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 8Sep 09, 2009 7:50 am tcrosss, go for it! We lived in the States for three years and we had a washing machine & dryer in a closet in our kitchen. It was perfectly fine! So much so, that the house we are currently renovating we are doing something similar. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 9Sep 09, 2009 8:00 am Go for it, its not a problem. We lived in UK for a number of years, came back recently and the houses we lived in had laundry in kitchen. Wasnt a problem. appliances were washer/dryer combo and integrated. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 10Sep 09, 2009 8:43 am I don't think there is any hygiene problem with a laundry next to a kitchen. Not unless you throw your dirty underwear in the kitchen sink first Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 11Sep 09, 2009 2:44 pm Millions of British people haven't died from having a washing machine in their kitchen! Sometimes being too stringent about cleanliness can actually be detrimental to your family's health. . . let the children eat worms I say! Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 12Sep 09, 2009 3:59 pm We lived in England for 3 years in a modern apartment that had the washing machine in the kitchen and we had no problems - not even 1 case of salmonella or E. coli poisoning The washing machine was very quiet and you could barely hear it so no problems with noise. It was on show though so I can't help with info on having it in a cupboard. I think if you want to put it in your kitchen then go right ahead. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 13Sep 10, 2009 1:12 pm Ikea actually has some great ideas on having your washing machine in your kitchen (their display in Perth actually looks quite nice!) Maybe you could have a look at their website (or visit them if near enough) for some other ideas? I think it sounds great personally viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22766 - my build thread! Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 14Sep 10, 2009 1:35 pm Im thinking of doing the same thing ... my only other option is squeezing it into my small bathroom, and having it take up vital space .... I think under the kitchen bench, behind cupboards is a perfect solution ... its not like the kitchen BECOMES the laundry .... You bring basket to machine, and fill .... walk away ... You bring basket back, empty clean clothes into, and then hang out to dry .... Its the exact same process as if the machine was in a laundry! As long as you are not smearing food on the clothes ... ha ha ha Although my mum for some reason is slightly horrified ... Im not having a laundry sink either, because I rarely use it now, and she cant really understand that either ... I would rather use a bucket, or be slightly inconvenianced the dozen times I need to soak something, than have a large tub sitting in my bathroom for 355 days not being used!!!! ... PS - Im renovating a 2-bed apartment, with no seperate laundry, and a small-ish bathroom ... so space is at a premium! Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 15Sep 10, 2009 4:18 pm ^^ You could even have a cupboard just for your dirty clothes basket (next to the washing machine cupboard)! Would keep it all neat and tidy and out of view viewtopic.php?f=31&t=22766 - my build thread! Time waits for no man. Unless that man is Chuck Norris. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 16Sep 10, 2009 4:26 pm Jodie80 ^^ You could even have a cupboard just for your dirty clothes basket (next to the washing machine cupboard)! Would keep it all neat and tidy and out of view Yeah! We're having those in the laundry! Integrated laundry baskets . . . keeps them off the floor and makes vacuuming easier! Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 17Sep 10, 2009 4:55 pm jodge Jodie80 ^^ You could even have a cupboard just for your dirty clothes basket (next to the washing machine cupboard)! Would keep it all neat and tidy and out of view Yeah! We're having those in the laundry! Integrated laundry baskets . . . keeps them off the floor and makes vacuuming easier! OMG why didn't I think of that...I think I have space in my linen cupboard for baskets, I'll make room. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 18Sep 10, 2009 5:25 pm SuH jodge Jodie80 ^^ You could even have a cupboard just for your dirty clothes basket (next to the washing machine cupboard)! Would keep it all neat and tidy and out of view Yeah! We're having those in the laundry! Integrated laundry baskets . . . keeps them off the floor and makes vacuuming easier! OMG why didn't I think of that...I think I have space in my linen cupboard for baskets, I'll make room. Hey SuH. . . isn't this site amazing? Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 19Sep 10, 2009 9:51 pm I think it's a great idea - I'm definitely having a micro laundry put in with our renovation, but probably in the main bathroom rather than the kitchen (there is excess space in the new bathroom location, not so much in the kitchen). We barely use the laundry room except for the actual washing machine, and I'd rather use the extra space somewhere we'll appreciate it. Re: 'Micro Laundry' hidden in Kitchen 20Sep 10, 2009 10:01 pm OK, I'm weird - I love my laundry. Had a big laundry in our old house, even bigger one in this house (approx 7m x 3m). Basically that includes half of the room being tiled which has the washing machine, trough, bench cupboards, etc and the other half carpeted for an ironing/sewing room. It's a lovely room, beautiful and sunny, can't wait for it to be finished. I have two little kids so I am always doing laundry!!! On the other hand, I can certainly see the advantages in a smaller house of the integrated approach and I have no problem with it. It's just not for me !! MagicJ I finally have my own reno thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28335 The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue! Agreed. I just found out today the certifier has not given the final sign off. 2 4089 Hey all, Hoping for some inspiration for my bathroom laundry combo. The tiles are in good condition, as is the bathtub. I’ve given it a coat of white paint and added… 0 14111 Move your linen into laundry and access laundry from your present linen space 1 8007 |