Looking for a narrow integrated washing machine

uknick

I'm looking at a house that has a space for a washing machine but it only 565mm wide, not 600mm, or so the owner tells me.  The house is about 13 years old and on its 2nd owner.  I'm led to believe the 1st owner moved the washing machine to the garage when she moved in and then converted the space in the kitchen to a normal cupboard.   

I can't find any integrated machines that will fit in a 565mm space.  All machines described as "slimline" are in fact about 600mm wide, but not as deep as a normal machine.

If they do exist, can you point me to one?

If they don't I'm going to have to go back to the owner and get them to check their measurements as I find it strange the original builder manager to find one back in 2012. 

ButterCheese

I think you're right, you can't have a slimline (width wise) washing machine as it's dependant on the size of the drum.  In order to have a narrower one you'd only have a tiny drum that would accomodate a pillow case at a time.

The best way to know would be to have a look at the house in person, see if the space is reversable i.e can you take a cabinet out and cut the worktop back (if indeed there is one on top).

The other option is to keep it in the garage if it is something you could get used to.  We did that in my old house and it's surprising what you get used to and what becomes normal after a while.  But if it's a no-no then the other option would be to see if there is another space in the house which you could convert.  I think you can get long pipes or join them if the washing machine is far away from the waste pipe and water supply.  As long as the waste from the machine is slightly downhill and unrestricted, it may be an option.

MyRealNameToo

uknick said:

I'm looking at a house that has a space for a washing machine but it only 565mm wide, not 600mm, or so the owner tells me.  The house is about 13 years old and on its 2nd owner.  I'm led to believe the 1st owner moved the washing machine to the garage when she moved in and then converted the space in the kitchen to a normal cupboard.   

I can't find any integrated machines that will fit in a 565mm space.  All machines described as "slimline" are in fact about 600mm wide, but not as deep as a normal machine.

If they do exist, can you point me to one?

If they don't I'm going to have to go back to the owner and get them to check their measurements as I find it strange the original builder manager to find one back in 2012. 

If they converted it into a cupboard have they put a cupboard carcass which is taking up some of the width?

595mm is the narrowest I've seen.  

Rodders53

MyRealNameToo said:

If they converted it into a cupboard have they put a cupboard carcass which is taking up some of the width?

595mm is the narrowest I've seen.  

I'd agree. 565mm + 2 x 18 mm panels for a carcase is 601 mm.

OP should get a picture of the space/cabinet and description of where that original measurement came from.

NB Dishwasher is more use in a Kitchen than a washer

grumpy_codger

Top loading machines are 40cm, but you can't put them under a worktop.

EssexExile

grumpy_codger said:

Top loading machines are 40cm, but you can't put them under a worktop.

And best avoided anyway.

grumpy_codger

EssexExile said:

grumpy_codger said:

Top loading machines are 40cm, but you can't put them under a worktop.

And best avoided anyway.

I disagree. I used to have one at some point and didn't have any problems. It even was a washer-drier. A little less convenient to use, but it's not a big deal when you don't have space for a front-loading one. And they are more reliable mechanically as the drum is supported by two bearings, not one.

MyRealNameToo

grumpy_codger said:

EssexExile said:

grumpy_codger said:

Top loading machines are 40cm, but you can't put them under a worktop.

And best avoided anyway.

I disagree. I used to have one at some point and didn't have any problems. It even was a washer-drier. A little less convenient to use, but it's not a big deal when you don't have space for a front-loading one. And they are more reliable mechanically as the drum is supported by two bearings, not one.

Depends which style of top loader it is, if its the old style with an agitator in the middle they are pretty much worse in all considerations, use more water, use more power, not as good at cleaning and cause more damage to clothes. 

The newer versions, basically a drum with a top door are closer to front loaders but still tend to be heavier on water and electricity. 

grumpy_codger

Why would I recommend old stile in this context?! Of course it's some modern one.

MyRealNameToo

grumpy_codger said:

Why would I recommend old stile in this context?! Of course it's some modern one.

The agitator style are still very popular in the US where top loaders in general remain massively more popular than here. No idea what style you are recommending, both are available to buy today. Personally only used an agitator style one but that was 30 years ago. 

grumpy_codger

I added a picture above. And I don't think that 40cm wide machines can be popular in US where they like everything big.