Question from Cecilia
Dear Debra, we are considering remodeling our home, and one of the things that I would like to do is moving my laundry room out of the basement. It seems that there is a nice possibility of doing this by putting the laundry in the second floor. A laundry with natural light and ventilation sounds really nice, but what about having the laundry so close to the bedrooms? Is there anything specific that would make you recommend against it, even before considering materials? Thank you! Cecilia.
Debra’s Answer
I totally understand! I used to have my washer and dryer down in the basement and never wanted to go down there to do the laundry. Now, in a different house, my washer and dryer are in the mud room next to the kitchen and it’s so easy to do my laundry!
I can’t think of a reason why not to have laundry next to a bedroom, but since I’ve never had that, there may be drawbacks I can’t imagine. Readers, please contribute your experience. I’ve seen washers and dryers in hallways behind folding doors. They would make noise so you wouldn’t want to run these machines while sleeping. Water probably will leak so you would want to place the washer and dryer on a waterproof surface.
Not thinking of anything else.
Readers?
My concern, and what I am considering, is with COPD, and bad allergies, I know the laundry puts a lot of dust into the air. Considered out in the garage, but like Debra, thought I would not want to go out to do laundry! So, considering a separate room, tight fitting door, with ventilation to draw out all the lint that invariably goes airborne when you open the dryer and when you sort clothes. Now mine is right across from the air intake for furnace. The filter really catches it! So we see how much dust comes from this.
The only concern I would have about locating a washer near a bedroom would be if someone were sleeping near the wall that was near the washer, due to the electromagnetic field that would be generated while it was operating. In other words if someone were napping or resting within about six feet of the machine or the wiring in the wall while it was operating, I would be concerned. I’d also want to be sure that the dryer doesn’t release moisture in the direction of the bedroom windows. This seems like it would be pretty unlikely to be a problem.
I would use stainless hoses for the hot and cold incoming water, or the really good “lifetime” rubber hoses – also floodstop makes products that shut off the flow of water to the washer, refrigerator, toilet, or whatever you buy them for – plus they “exercise” the water shut off monthly so it works when you need it too. These plug in, or can be battery operated – I have one on my fridge and have it plugged in with batteries in it for back-up. These simply have a sensor, or two or 3 that you place on the ground, when they sensors “sense” water, they shut off the flow of water. I also would put the washer into a “washer tray” to help contain any water that drips from the door when opened, or that leaks. I also use the shake-a-way pads on my front-loader, which drastically reduced the vibration of my washer on my 2nd story condo –
high levels of emfs from the machines would be one consideration for safety of those in surrounding rms./areas also, if using chemical detergents etc…(which shouldn’t be used anyway) fumes emitting closer to living areas.