Washing machine in the dressing room: pros and cons

Tee in the bathroom.
Tee in the bathroom between the machine mixer. The position of the electrical outlet is also a point that should be taken into account: it is better if it is placed next to the machine. If it is not there, you should consider installing it. The use of an extension cord is not advisable due to the dangerous proximity of water.

Socket next to the washing machine.

Advantages and disadvantages

When considering the issue of installing a washing machine in the dressing room, people are faced with doubts and prejudices, the pros and cons of the idea. It is worth highlighting the main advantages of this solution:

Such a design will free up extra space in the bathroom or kitchen.
Installing the device in a storage room saves time, because you can sort through, store and rinse clothes in one room. Here the washed items are hung on hangers and dried.
The washing machine can be installed in a special cabinet with a spacious lower compartment. This will complement the design of the dressing room and save space.

Despite significant advantages, this layout option has its disadvantages:

During installation of the machine, owners may encounter technical difficulties. This includes the availability of outlets, ventilation and suitable space.
A large washing machine in a dressing room can damage the floor covering, so it is better to install it on concrete tiles.
If the dressing room is located at a large distance from the sewer pipe, there may be a problem with pumping out soapy and dirty water.

Installing a washing machine in a storage room is an original and profitable idea. However, before implementing it, it is worth weighing all the pros and cons in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Pump application

It is also possible to install a system consisting of an electric pressure pump and a water tank (for example, a barrel). This method is optimal in terms of cost and efficiency.

The pump will move liquid under pressure from the reservoir into the apparatus compartment. But without automation, you need to turn the pump on and off manually, while simultaneously monitoring the water level in the machine.

Pump application

Required spare parts for manufacturing the system:

Pumping device.
A barrel or other container for liquid.
Set of gaskets and clamps.
Set of flow filters.
Silicone based sealant.

A couple of meters of hose for the pipeline.
A tee valve for shutting off the flow of water from the tank.
Tools for measurements and installation.
To automate the washing process, you will also need either an electromagnetic relay or reed switches.

Expert opinion

I work in the household appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in restoring washing machines and dishwashers.

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For greater compatibility, it is advisable to buy a pump of the same brand as the washing machine itself. A lid is also required to protect against accidental splashes.

Let's consider assembling the pumping system and connecting it to the washing machine:

Let's choose a place to install the device. A flat, concrete surface if possible is required; the socket must be within reach of the wire.
Place a container of the required volume nearby, preferably with a lid for convenience.
Do you wash your shoes in the machine?
Oh yes! No
To improve performance, you can make a stand for a barrel, about a meter high.
Make a hole of the required diameter on the bottom wall of the tank for a tee tap and fix it.
Connect the pressure hose to the tap, and connect the other end to the pump.
Using an adapter, attach the discharge hose to the inlet hose of the washing machine.

Now you need to remove the top cover of the machine and find the solenoid valve. Let's remove the seals from it to improve water flow and install a flow filter in front of it. All that remains is to test the operation of the system.

Design Features

Before installing the equipment, you need to inspect the selected room and determine the most advantageous place for washing. Owners should consider the following points in such cases:

You shouldn’t immediately gouge the walls to identify a new outlet. Initially, it is worth assessing the chosen location for compliance with the protruding elements, height and width.
In addition to the main size of the device, it is worth retreating about 10 cm, since hoses will be located on the back side of it.
When a place has been allocated, you will need to check the strength of the floor. If the apartment is old and the flooring leaves much to be desired, it is better to fill the allocated space with concrete or lay tiles on it. Wooden pop can cause the body to collapse. The floor structure must support up to 90 kg of weight.
If the floor in the apartment is uneven, then there is no need to worry. You can adjust the stability of the equipment using a building level.
It is also worth choosing a place that is located near a sewer pipe. If it is located at a distance of more than 3 meters from the washing machine, dirty water will be difficult to drain, which will lead to subsequent breakdowns.
Before installation, you need to inspect the hose from the washing machine. Usually it has a length of up to 1.5 m. If this size is not enough, it is worth changing the hose to a longer one.

Once all the parts are prepared, you can begin the installation process.

Laundry outside the city

Many summer cottages do not have running water, so various devices are used:

Portable ultrasound devices.

This method is convenient for small amounts of laundry and washing delicate items. The most famous ultrasonic device is Retona.

retona

Semi-automatic machine

When using, you must manually fill and drain water. It is small in size and weight, which allows you to place it without any problems. The lack of some functions is compensated by low price and high maintainability.

Semi-automatic washing machine

Handwash

For this method, you only need a water container, a washboard and a cleaning product of your choice. The downside is the time and amount of physical labor.

It should be noted that quality is very dependent on temperature. And with heating there may be difficulties. In addition, you need quite a lot of rinsing water to remove the foam.

Installation of equipment

Before starting the process, you should prepare for the fact that owners will face additional material costs. Their level depends on the characteristics of the room and equipment. What does the preparatory process look like:

The first step is to provide the necessary ventilation for the dressing room. Constant washing causes dampness, which leads to the formation of fungus and mold. Constant air circulation will solve problems and eliminate unnecessary inconvenience. Many residents skip this point and hope for a constantly open door. However, this brings constant inconvenience and leads to air pressure.
Now you need to think about connecting the equipment to the water supply and sewer pipes. Previously, the procedure was carried out using special taps and rubber hoses. Today, such techniques are already outdated. Because the drain and inlet hoses are already installed in the equipment.
When installing adapters, it is better to rely on the shut-off valve. It allows you to shut off the water after the end of the cycle and during repair work.
Now you need to cut a special recess to install the tee. Tools for work are selected depending on the material of the main pipe.
Next, connect the equipment to the sewer. Here residents may encounter difficulties, so if they do not have the proper experience, it is better to contact an experienced master.
Now comes the turn of the sockets. They are rarely found in the dressing room. Therefore, they must be done near the washing machine. If there is an old outlet in the room, it is better to replace it. Sufficient power is required for stable operation of the equipment. Old sockets will not be able to provide this. This will lead to equipment failure or fire. It is worth noting that connecting equipment to the network using extension cords is prohibited. It is best to provide direct access to the network.
To install the socket, you should focus on parts with a moisture-resistant housing; they are characterized by a long service life and reliability.
They make a place for the electrical network at the same level as the washing machine. Before starting the process, you will need to turn off the power supply to the apartment.
Now you can make the markup. The optimal distance is up to 100 cm from the floor. You need to mark the measurements using a simple pencil.
Next, you need to determine what size wiring is needed to lay the path from the equipment to the junction box. It is better to measure out the extra 30 cm in case of repairs or changes in design.
Select a drill attachment suitable for a specific wall and drill holes. If you don’t have a variety of attachments at home, it is recommended to use the standard one. All actions are performed using a respirator and gloves.
Next, based on the markings provided, you need to drill a small hole for the future outlet.
Using a grinder, make a 4 cm groove.
Thoroughly clean the resulting holes from dust and dirt, fix the socket box in the hole made.
Place the wire under it. One end of it will need to be connected to the shield, and the other to a drilled hole in the wall.
To make the structure invisible, it is masked using plaster or putty. It is imperative to wait until the mixture hardens.
Now you can insert the socket itself and connect the wires.

When connecting wires, it is better to use terminals that will help make the procedure safe. When testing the outlet, you should listen to the smell. If there is no haze or burning, then everything was done correctly.

Use of SMA

Now let's look at ways to use an automatic washing machine.

Manual method

Water is added manually to the detergent compartment. The main disadvantage of this method is that in order to continue working, the device must be independently added with water to the desired level. It should be taken into account that a modern washing machine adds rinsing water at least once.

Are you using citric acid?

Oh yes! No

If it is absent, the SMA will freeze or an error will appear. In other words, you need to be on duty next to a bucket of water so that the process ends correctly.

Additional tank

To create pressure in the system, place a reservoir of liquid 6-8 meters away from the washing machine. This option is possible if there is a second floor. The disadvantage of this method is the need to carry water to refill the tank.

Washing machines with an additional tank are sold. The most famous manufacturer is Slovenian. It produces SMA, especially for rural areas where there are no high-pressure water pipes.

sma with additional tank

Perhaps the most optimal solution for a dacha and village. In principle, you can make a tank yourself. You just need to place it above the machine to create the required pressure. In this case, you can purchase any car, not necessarily Gorenje.

Well

If there is already a well at your summer cottage, you will only need to install a powerful pumping station for uninterrupted operation. In another case, you can call a drilling team. But there are several factors to consider:

Cost of equipment rental and team work.

Drilling should be carried out in the summer.

Water must be of good quality. If the quality is poor, the clothes may not wash at all.

Do you wash by hand?

Oh yes! No

Ensuring stable ventilation

After installing the socket and connecting the machine to the sewer, you can safely wash your clothes. However, if the dressing room is not large in size and does not have windows, you should think about normal ventilation in the room. Otherwise, mold and a damp smell will appear in it, which will appear on hanging clothes. To organize ventilation, the following measures are taken:

Make a small hole between the floors and a door.
Install a special door containing bars.
Make holes in the walls, which are kept at a distance of up to 30 cm from the floor covering. According to user reviews, this is one of the most reliable options.
Make a hole in the floor. A similar method is used in private houses with a basement floor.

Normally, the dressing room should be regularly ventilated and there should be good air circulation. The integrity of the clothes, their smell and the degree of contamination depend on this. It would be a good idea to organize an exhaust duct. It is made using a special grille, which is installed right under the ceiling.

If the dressing room is large, it is better to make several similar channels, which will be located at a decent distance from each other.

Embedding Methods

As mentioned earlier, a lot depends on the type of download. Those whose choice fell on vertical models will have to abandon the idea of camouflaging equipment with the help of furniture. In this case, the only possible and not very convenient installation option is to install a unit such as a washing machine under the countertop. In this case, in the kitchen you will periodically hear the sound of a furniture element rising and falling. In addition, after washing, the tabletop will also have to be removed in order to thoroughly dry the drum.

As for front-facing models, there are several installation options. The simplest thing you can do is order furniture according to an individual project. As a result, you will have a stylish and harmonious kitchen with a washing machine, a photo of which will be presented in today’s article. As a rule, the top of the appliance is covered with a countertop, and the front panel is hidden with a cabinet door.

Some craftsmen remake old headsets on their own. You can also make a special plasterboard box and close it with a door.

Installing a machine mount

During washing, the equipment produces strong vibrations and shocks, which put strong pressure on the floor. Because of this, it is not recommended to install the device on wooden or weak floors. To get out of this situation, you can use the following constructions:

Using a special mat with an anti-vibration function. It helps reduce the percentage of pressure on the floor and protect the washing machine from damage.
Installation of a massive concrete slab. Such a design will take time, however, it can reduce the level of vibrations during washing. It is worth remembering that concrete coating will not correct problems with the floor and will not make it smoother.
Construction of an installation elevated above the floor. To do this, you will need to cut 4 holes in the floor, insert metal pipes into them and cover them with a durable plywood sheet. This design reduces the amount of vibration, but quickly becomes unsuitable for use.

When all the details are prepared, you can safely use the washing machine installed in the dressing room.

Activator washing machine

These are the simplest and cheapest devices. Most of the actions, such as heating and supplying water, draining it, rinsing, spinning, are performed manually. Structurally, the activator machine is a plastic or metal container, inside of which (at the bottom or on the side) there is a rotating disk with blades; it moves the laundry, washing it. There is a hole at the bottom for draining dirty water; it is discharged through a drain hose.

Devices of this type are produced by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. There are many models on sale, it is easy to choose the best option, guided by the required power and price.

The main advantages of machines of this type:

lowest price among other options,
portability, most models are made of plastic, they are easy to carry, can be installed on any more or less flat area,
ease of use, the only thing that is regulated in this machine is the washing time,
does not require sewerage, water is drained via a drain hose.

Among domestic models, the most popular are the “Malyutka” series cars. They are distinguished by a low price with quite acceptable characteristics.

Washing machine "Fairy"

A fairly popular domestic model, it was produced by Soviet industry. It has a strict design and low (about 160 W) power consumption. With a permissible load of 3 kg of laundry and a low dead weight, this is one of the best options for a summer residence.

"Assol" HRV 50-880S

Another model ideal for use in the country. The machine can wash up to 5 kg of laundry in one go, and both standard washing and delicate mode are possible. The machine allows you to wash followed by rinsing (replacing the water manually), in addition, there is a “wash only” mode, which allows you to reuse water.

"Princess"

An almost ideal mini washing machine for the dacha, fully justifying the term “portable”. It allows loading only 1 kg of laundry, but it is extremely small in size, which allows you to take it with you to the dacha and then take it back.

Electrical connection

Since the power of the washing machine when the heating elements are turned on is decent, it is advisable to connect a separate power supply line to it from the panel. The circuit is simple - the phase from the input is supplied to the circuit breaker, from it goes to the RCD, then through a wire to the location where the socket is installed.

Connection diagram of the washing machine to the electrical network

All manufacturers emphasize that the outlet must be grounded. Only in this case the factory warranty remains valid.

Now about the denominations. The circuit breaker is selected according to the current required by the device. This figure can be found in your passport, or you can calculate it. It is necessary to divide the power of the washing machine by 220 V, we get the current consumption. For example, your unit has a power of 3.5 kW. We get 3500 W / 220 V = 15.9 A. We take the nearest larger rated circuit breaker. They come in 6 A, 10 A, 16 A, 20 A, 25 A. For our case, a 16 A machine is suitable.

Let's move on to choosing an RCD. In terms of current, it is taken one step higher than the rating of the machine, that is, for the example given it is 32 A. But the RCD has one more characteristic - leakage current. For devices that connect to a dedicated line, the recommended value is 10 mA. So, for a washing machine with a power of 3.5 kW, a 16 A automatic machine, a 32 A RCD, with a leakage current of 10 mA are required.

It would also be nice to calculate the cross-section of the wire. Today, cables with copper conductors are mainly used for wiring. They are more flexible and less heavy. The calculation is made based on power or current consumption, but since the power spread of washing machines is limited, we can immediately say that for devices up to 4.1 kW, a core cross-section of 1.5 square meters is sufficient. mm (copper conductors), up to 5.5 kW - cross-section 2.5 sq. mm.

And the last thing about electrics: about sockets. When choosing an outlet, keep track of more than just the presence of a grounding contact. You also need to look at what voltage the outlet is designed for. Normal products have markings on the back. The maximum operating voltage is indicated there. Sometimes the rated current is set. You know it too (or you can calculate it as described above). If there are no inscriptions, it is better not to risk it. Most likely this is cheap Chinese consumer goods and how it will work is a mystery.

Selecting a location

When choosing the location of a household appliance, it is wise to give preference to a place in close proximity to the kitchen sink . This will simplify connecting the machine to communications for draining and collecting water.

If this is not possible, you should not only take additional care of the connecting hoses for extension, but also think about how to hide them. It is better to install the machine away from the oven, otherwise it is important to ensure good thermal insulation.

The best option is to mount the machine under a common countertop or place it behind a separate door. This allows not only to perfectly fit the unit into the interior, but also to reduce the noise level.

Advice. If there are small children at home, equip the closet with a special lock to prevent them from getting to the machine and washing powder.

The top-loading unit can be conveniently placed in the corner of the room.

What should you consider during installation?

To prevent a washing machine in the kitchen from becoming a cause of disappointment, you should follow a few simple tips. If you plan to store powder and conditioner next to the unit, then the width of the selected module should be 20 centimeters larger. In this case, you can place household chemicals between the device and the cabinet wall.

You also need to consider that the washing machine may vibrate. This happens during a spin cycle or when the drum is not loaded enough. Due to this feature, it is necessary to leave two-centimeter gaps between the equipment and the walls of the furniture.

In addition, a kitchen with a washing machine should not have a soft or uneven floor. Of course, this drawback can be eliminated by adjusting the legs, but for greater reliability it is recommended to further strengthen it.

Some tips for making a cabinet

If you are planning to hide SMA in a closet (or cabinet), you can use various building materials to make them:

using MDF panels you can easily make a cabinet that will easily fit into any interior with its shapes and colors;
a good solution is natural wood material. Such furniture will fill the hallway with comfort, but before installing washing equipment, its internal parts will have to be additionally treated with a water-repellent composition;
steel and glass in combination will add modernity and technology to the corridor. To make the door leaf, transparent or frosted tempered glass is used;
panels for making furniture are a durable and beautiful natural material, furniture from which has a long service life. To make such shields, wood is used, previously cut into strips, which are then glued together.

The cabinet can be made in a floor-standing or built-in form; a wall-mounted design would also be a good solution. Furniture shapes for installing a washing machine can be straight or angular.

Cabinet doors should be installed taking into account the actual capabilities of the corridor and the loading option for washing equipment. They are available in swing, sliding or folding versions. It is allowed to use vertical blinds as shutters.

How to fit into the interior

Options with curtains and blinds are available. When using them, it is important to conveniently secure the cornice, as well as choose the material to match the tone of the entire room.

Now you know the options for the typical and non-standard location of the SMA: choose the appropriate one and install the machine in a convenient place.

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