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Washer & dryer pedestal.

Built a pedestal for my washer & dryer. No more bending down to get out the clothes. Will install it when the finish dries.

pedistal.jpg
 

EclipseRedRing

I smell like a Christmas pudding
Congratulations, it will be game changing. We have a storage drawer under the dryer and a mini washer shaped like a drawer under the washer. So much easier having things higher.

I watched a program recently on groups of people with varying degrees of mobility and health in older age. The program suggested that those who sat and slept on the floor instead of using chairs and beds were healthier and more mobile due to a lifetime of getting up and down from floor level. Likewise those whose housework required them to bend or crouch, for example crouching and using a short handled tool rather than standing and using a long handled tool, were the healthiest. Perhaps the very tools and modifications we use to make our lives easier are least healthy for us in the long term.
 
I watched a program recently on groups of people with varying degrees of mobility and health in older age. The program suggested that those who sat and slept on the floor instead of using chairs and beds were healthier and more mobile due to a lifetime of getting up and down from floor level. Likewise those whose housework required them to bend or crouch, for example crouching and using a short handled tool rather than standing and using a long handled tool, were the healthiest. Perhaps the very tools and modifications we use to make our lives easier are least healthy for us in the long term.
So, does that mean we should remodel our kitchens to have countertops 15 inches high? Lots of bending that way.

The reason washers & dryers are the usual height is just convention. I see nothing wrong with modifying it to suit a more comfortable working posture. In fact, I built a set of pedestals for mine and it gives a convenient place to store things under the appliances. I call that a win.
 

Phoenixkh

I shaved a fortune
We have a top loading washer and a front loading dryer. I do my laundry and my wife does hers, now that she’s retired.

What I don’t understand is why my back hurts so much after grocery shopping, but I can weed whack the yard and mow with a 20” powered little lawnmower and while my back hurts when weed whacking, by the time I’ve finished mowing, it’s much better. Grocery shopping kills my back for hours after I get home.
 
I watched a program recently on groups of people with varying degrees of mobility and health in older age. The program suggested that those who sat and slept on the floor instead of using chairs and beds were healthier and more mobile due to a lifetime of getting up and down from floor level. Likewise those whose housework required them to bend or crouch, for example crouching and using a short handled tool rather than standing and using a long handled tool, were the healthiest. Perhaps the very tools and modifications we use to make our lives easier are least healthy for us in the long term.
This makes sense. We are where we are and much is certainly due to our environment and choices.
 
I watched a program recently on groups of people with varying degrees of mobility and health in older age. The program suggested that those who sat and slept on the floor instead of using chairs and beds were healthier and more mobile due to a lifetime of getting up and down from floor level. Likewise those whose housework required them to bend or crouch, for example crouching and using a short handled tool rather than standing and using a long handled tool, were the healthiest. Perhaps the very tools and modifications we use to make our lives easier are least healthy for us in the long term.
As a Land Surveyor for over 40 years doing mostly construction stakeout, I spent most days bending over to drive stakes in the ground and make marks on concrete. My back issues are the opposite, too much bending for too long. Interesting thought though.
 
We have a top loading washer and a front loading dryer. I do my laundry and my wife does hers, now that she’s retired.

What I don’t understand is why my back hurts so much after grocery shopping, but I can weed whack the yard and mow with a 20” powered little lawnmower and while my back hurts when weed whacking, by the time I’ve finished mowing, it’s much better. Grocery shopping kills my back for hours after I get home.
Standing and walking on a hard (concrete) floor is a back killer as opposed to the grass which gives under your feet. This is an issue for me as well.
 
So, does that mean we should remodel our kitchens to have countertops 15 inches high? Lots of bending that way.

The reason washers & dryers are the usual height is just convention. I see nothing wrong with modifying it to suit a more comfortable working posture. In fact, I built a set of pedestals for mine and it gives a convenient place to store things under the appliances. I call that a win.
The openings under this pedestal are made to fit our clothes hampers under the machines.
 

luvmysuper

My elbows leak
Staff member
I have a septic system so I opt for a front loading HE machine as it uses a 1/3 of the water that a top loader does. Anything to take strain off the septic.
I'm on a septic too, but I really don't like front load washers, and I can't even tell you why. Just a thing. Probably habit. I've owned one front load washer (at our last home, where the wife wanted to give it a go) and just don't like them.
 
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I'm on a septic too, but I really don't like front load washers, and I can't even tell you why. Just a thing. Probably habit. I've owned one front load washer (at our last home, where the wife wanted to give it a go) and just don't like them.
Have had one myself. Requires too much maintenance in order to keep the door seal clean so it doesn't take on the stench that many owners complain about.
 
Have had one myself. Requires too much maintenance in order to keep the door seal clean so it doesn't take on the stench that many owners complain about.
That is my main concern as well. I have not purchased a washing machine in a long time but noticed how some top loaders no longer have a center agitator in order to increase load capacity (and therefore efficiency). While some models have a removable agitator. Not sure how well modern washers work, but the push for efficiency could be increasing the popularity of front loaders as a way to get clothes cleaner.

And what is with the trend of some models to have a sloped top? As if to prevent one from using it to hold clothes as they are being removed from the dryer and folded.
 
Hard to tell from the pictures but you may need to add some bracing/reinforcements. The washer can shake a platform pretty good in the spin cycle. Wishing you the best, post results/pics
Built a pedestal for my washer & dryer. No more bending down to get out the clothes. Will install it when the finish dries.


Just leave the door cracked for a bit so the tub has time to dry. Will prevent the moldy smell/stench.
Have had one myself. Requires too much maintenance in order to keep the door seal clean so it doesn't take on the stench that many owners complain about.
 
Have had front loaders since the late 90s after working in Europe and using them. Find they clean better and do not wear the clothes as much as the older style top loader agitators. Longer cycle times. More parts, more seals, more to break and maintain. And smelly if the door is kept closed over time when wet.

My understanding is the newer top loaders perform very close to on par with front loaders. Being tall, top loaders are much easier to load and unload.

Keeping the lid ajar is key. I also run a vinegar or Affresh cleaning cycle monthly. Never have mold or odor problems.
 
Top loaders use a lot less hot water (around one-half to one-third of the water). This can add up to large energy savings over time.

Less wear and tear on the clothes. Clothes last longer. More delicate items that you might have had to hand wash before can be done in the machine.

Allows you to clean bulky items like sleeping bags in the washer without damaging them.

Have had one myself. Requires too much maintenance in order to keep the door seal clean so it doesn't take on the stench that many owners complain about.

You can just leave the door open, that gives the water a chance to evaporate. Nothing to encourage mold/mildew growth that way.

You can also spray a mild vinegar+water solution around the door seal if it should begin to smell.

And what is with the trend of some models to have a sloped top? As if to prevent one from using it to hold clothes as they are being removed from the dryer and folded.

It's just like giant tailfins on cars from the 1950s. Useless styling.
 
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