You'll always need a stacking kit when you put your dryer on your washing machine.
Aside from stacking kits, another accessory that can come in handy in the laundry is the pedestal. This raised platform sits underneath a washer or dryer, lifting the appliance to a more accessible height, so it can be loaded or unloaded without you having to bend over or crouch down.
You may be asking yourself if you truly need a stacking kit to stack your front load dryer and washer. While you can stack your units without them, it is not recommended!
Can I put a washer on top of a dryer? No, you should only stack your dryer on top. Because they can get very heavy when filled with water, washing machines should stay on the floor. Washers also have high spin speeds, which increases the risk of accidents when stacked.
Although some washer and dryer units are connected permanently, many stackable sets are a separate front load washer and dryer, and they can be used stacked or unstacked. Stackable washer and dryer sets are secured safely with a stacking kit.
One of the main downsides to stacking a washer and dryer is the reduced loading capacity compared to their standalone counterparts. Due to the compact design, stackable units have smaller drums, limiting the amount of laundry you can wash or dry at once.
For easy stacking, a stacking kit is a great choice. It usually consists of a frame and fixing elements like screws. The frame creates a small space between your appliances, distributing the weight of your dryer and absorbing vibrations.
You should not stack a washer and dryer unless they are compatible with stacking. Even if your appliances are made by the same manufacturer, it does not guarantee that they are stackable.
The short answer is yes, you can stack your laundry appliances so that the tumble dryer sits on top of a washing machine.
When compared to a heat pump dryer, a condenser dryer can be costly and is less energy efficient. Using a closed-loop heat exchange system, heat pump tumble dryers dry clothes at a lower temperature, keeping energy usage low and providing better protection for your laundry.
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.
Materials shall be stacked on well-drained, flat and unyielding surface. Material stacks shall not impose any undue stresses on walls or other structures. Materials shall be separated according to kind, size and length and placed in neat, orderly piles.
Appliance manufactures design their laundry machines to be compatible with each other, and this compatibility extends to stacking possibilities. While there will be some interchangeability in washer and dryer models across the same brand, you will not be able to stack laundry units from two different brands.
In our tests, most front-loaders can be stacked with a matching dryer on top. (You might have to buy the stacking kit separately.) But that's not always the case; some washer-dryer pairs can't be stacked. (Check under “Specs” in our ratings before making a purchase.)
Can you run a stacked washer and dryer at the same time? Yes, you can run both the washer and dryer in a stackable unit at the same time. This allows for efficient multitasking, as you can wash one load while drying another, saving you time.
You'll always need a stacking kit when you put your dryer on your washing machine. In addition to being safe, a stacking kit is also useful, especially if you have an stacking kit with a worktop. You can use the worktop to set place your laundry basket on, or to fold your clothes neatly.
Generally, stackable units might have a smaller capacity than some side-by-side models, making them potentially less suitable for large families or those with significant laundry needs. The bottom unit (usually the washer) might require bending down to load or unload, which can be tough on the back.
Wall-mountable or stackable dryers
Only vented dryers can be wall mounted – condenser and heat pump condenser dryers are too heavy and will need to be put on the floor or stacked on top of a washer.
The short answer is yes, you can stack most dryers on top of washing machines. As to the question of whether you should do it, it all depends on how you want to organize your laundry space. The single yet impressive advantage of stacking your washer and dryer is that it saves space.
It's important to remember that you can only stack front-load laundry appliances. This may seem strange, but there are many examples of people buying top-loading machines only to discover that they can't put another appliance on top of them! It's also fairly standard practice to stack dryers on top of washers.
Washers and dryers cannot be stacked with a pedestal beneath. A pedestal cannot support the weight of stacked units. Some stacking kits include added features such as a pull-out shelf for resting or folding laundry. Stacked dryers may be inaccessible to people in wheelchairs.
If you don't use a stacking kit, you run the risk of your tumble dryer falling.
Stackable units often come with a higher purchase price due to their space-saving design and the technology needed to securely stack one appliance on top of the other. However, these units can be a smart investment for people living in smaller spaces, such as apartments or condos, where square footage is at a premium.
Stacked Washer-Dryer
They're ideal for apartment or condo living, or if you're short on space for a dedicated laundry area. They're generally quieter than side-by-side models and use electricity rather than gas, which means you don't need to vent your dryer.