In small apartments, the question often arises of installing a washing machine so that it does not take up much space, but retains its full functionality. In this article, we talked about how to place irreplaceable equipment.
Advantages of installation under the sink
The tandem of washing appliances and sinks has already become a must-have for small bathrooms. Having thought over the design and location, you can save a couple of such necessary square meters.
There are indeed many advantages to this placement:
- There is no need for an additional drain for pipes. All sinks are equipped with a siphon through which water passes, combined with pipes from the machine, the siphon plays the role of a unifier.
- Stylish design solution. The stores sell "pairs" made in the same style.
- Accessibility in a couple of steps. In the bathroom, it is much more convenient to wash clothes and hang them out to dry. This saves time.
- Small size washer.Since the sink should be below the level of the elbows, then the machine in this case should be lower. Miniature appliances will save extra space.
Disadvantages of placing under the sink
Despite a number of significant advantages, there are disadvantages that will have to be taken into account:
- You will have to buy a special siphon. Without it, the installation of equipment does not work. The siphon does not come with the machine, and its special structure makes the search longer and more difficult.
- Size limitation. Also, the door should be located in the front to make it easier to load the laundry.
- Small capacity. The average value fluctuates within 3.5 kg. Which can cause inconvenience in large families.
- Disadvantages associated with draining in a horizontal position. You will have to carry out additional cleaning more often than with a conventional vertical drain if you do not want to deal with constant blockages due to standing water in the pipes.
- Lack of free space on the sink. There will be some slight discomfort during use at first, but this will subside after a while.
Choosing a washing machine and sink
To save space and maintain an attractive view, the washer should not be too high or deep, the same with the sink.
There are not so many manufacturers who specialize in such equipment: Candy, Eurosoba, Electrolux and Zanussi. But low washing machines that easily and neatly fit under the sink are Candy and Eurosoba. Electrolux and Zanissi have a depth of about 50 cm, which makes it difficult to install the sink.
The main requirements for a washing machine are strictly limited dimensions.So that the gap between the sink does not exceed ten centimeters, it is worth choosing sinks with a narrow siphon, and machines with a narrow depth. To avoid a big gap, the choice falls towards Candy and Eurosoba.
It is not necessary to buy equipment from these brands. A narrow washing machine with suitable dimensions also exists from conventional standard manufacturers. The height of the washing machine under the sink should ideally not exceed 70 cm in order to maintain ease of use of the sink.
The ideal depth is 49 cm. If the wide variety on the market still does not suit you, there are always craftsmen who make equipment to order.
In washbasin washers, the maximum load weight is 4 kg, which is not suitable for some families. Then there is an option with narrow models, the weight of their load is up to 6 kg. But it should be borne in mind that the height will be about 95 cm. If family members are tall, then this will not interfere much when using the sink.
Choosing a washing machine is only half the battle, it is important to choose an ergonomic and comfortable sink for it. There is an opinion that in real life the gap will be more than 15 cm. This is true, but if you install an ordinary sink.
To prevent this from happening, special sinks are produced, their drain system is located near the wall, and not like in ordinary ones, where the drain is located in the very center. Due to the special design, the sink is pressed against the washing machine without any gap.
Sink features
The choice is very large, and each model has its own "chips" that make it more convenient or vice versa. Here's how shells can differ:
- according to the location of the siphon;
- according to the location of the mixer;
- by the height of the sides.
The mixer may be completely absent, or it may be on the side or in the center of the sink.
Top 3 manufacturers of washing machines under the sinks
Despite the existence of narrow washing machines, machines specially designed for the sink continue to be produced by manufacturers.
Candy
Compact and miniature appliances, specially designed in tandem with the sink. There are several popular medals, distinguished from each other by the number of revolutions, the presence of a display with a program timer and the maximum weight of the loaded laundry. Due to its small size, Candy does not hold more than 4 kg of dry laundry.
The new Candy models are great for allergy sufferers as they have Aquamatic built in from the start. This means that several times more water is used during rinsing in order to be sure to wash away the remaining cleaning agent.
Eurosoba
This brand is little known in Russia, because the manufacturer does not consider advertising as a mandatory attribute, based on impeccable Swiss quality. The warranty card has a period of as much as 15 years, but according to user reviews, the Eurosoba machine, with proper care, can last up to twenty years.
This company is also distinguished by its compactness, which helps to place equipment in a small bathroom, instead of the usual 90 cm in height, it is only 68 cm. The maximum load weight is 3 kg. Eurosoba lacks the usual drying mode and an electronic display with a timer.
An interesting feature is the interchangeable panels on the front, which can be purchased separately in different color variations and create a design for your bath.
Electrolux
European assembly, elegant lines and a huge number of built-in functions - that's how you can describe Electrolux appliances.Machines are available as full-size up to 10 kg in capacity, there is also a compact washing machine under the sink in the bathroom up to 3-4 kg. Sleek lines, front loading, a combination of metal and plastic elements group together a stylish design.
The Electrolux sink washing machine is characterized by low energy consumption (maximum A +++), silent operation, high build quality and a wide variety of various modes.
