Laundry Pairs

You might be considering only replacing your washer or only replacing your dryer—just fix what’s broke right? While this thinking isn’t wrong, you should really consider a matching laundry pair instead, and not just for the looks. Laundry pairs are designed to be compatible with each other and take out a lot of the guesswork.

Before you do anything, carefully measure your laundry space and leave 1-3 inches on the side for circulation and 4-6 inches at the back for installation. Front-loaders need 21-25 inches for the door swing. For top-loaders, don’t forget to leave a 20-inch door clearance!

A Front-Load or Top-Load Laundry Pair?

This is probably your first consideration, the old top- vs front-load debate. Basically, what it comes down to are your laundry considerations (how much, how often) and your available space.

Top-load washers use agitators, are low-maintenance, and have faster wash and rinse cycles. Plus, you can always add that dropped sock or baby blanket even after the wash cycle is going. Compatible dryers have a top-down door that can act as a folding shelf or a catcher of dropped laundry.

Front-load washers use impellers, use less water per cycle, and are more energy efficient. And an added bonus is that the front-load design on both washer and dryer lets you stack your appliances with a compatible stacking kit.

What Capacity Do I Need?

Capacity depends on how much laundry you do in a week, and the size of your items (like bulky comforters). Here’s a helpful rundown on what you need to know:

Standard washers with 3.1 to 4.0 cu. ft. can hold loads between 12 and 16 pounds of laundry. Large-capacity washers range between 4.2 and 4.5 cu. ft., and can wash 20 pounds of laundry or more.

To simplify it even further, a 3.5 cu. ft. washer with no agitator can fit a queen-size comforter (depending on how fluffy), while 4.2 cu. ft. or larger fits a king.

And since laundry pairs are designed to be compatible, your dryer will handle everything you wash.

Can I Stack My Washer and Dryer?

Yup! As long as you have a front-facing washer and dryer set you can stack it with a compatible stacking kit (look out for top-mount detergent dispensers that might get in the way).

If your space is super compact, you might be considering a stacked laundry tower—just keep in mind that a stacked laundry pair allows for larger capacities and snazzy features.

What Features Should I Look For?

Other than your basic cycles and motion sensors, some key features to look for are:

• Washers: automatic temperature control, internal water heater, quick wash, built-in sink, steam, sanitize cycles, noise reduction, touchscreen controls, and self-diagnostics
• Dryers: heat pump (for ventless drying), drum racks & lights, top-mount lint vents, vent-block indicator, eco-cycle, steam, and NSF ratings
• For the ultimate pairing experience, look for pedestals or pedestal washers

Need more information on dryer maintenance, what detegernt type to use, and laundry room upgrades? Just give us a call and we’ll make your shopping experience all about what you need!