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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Greenly Spirits on March 05, 2016, 09:39:01 AM

Title: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: Greenly Spirits on March 05, 2016, 09:39:01 AM
I'm looking to rent an apartment soon, but I'm having trouble finding any that fit our criteria that also have w/d hookups in unit. Does anyone use a washing machine in the kitchen that hooks up to the sink? Pros? Cons? Recommendations? Can you use a stack unit and convert it somehow?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: PMG on March 05, 2016, 10:07:53 AM
There are many reviews on Amazon. From my research Haier makes the best most normal small portable washers available in the states.

I have a smaller Basecamp washer that I use in my tub. It's adequate but needs tending.
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: stephQ on March 05, 2016, 10:25:15 AM
My younger brother had one of those Haier washers in his apartment a few years back, but I don't remember the exact model. He connected it to the sink faucet in his bathroom. I used it a couple times when I stayed over at his place. The convenience factor outweighs the load size (only fits a few full sized bath towels), however he mentioned that he only ran the machine when he was home in case the water didn't drain properly into the sink for fear of flooding his place. He hung his clothes to dry. I remember the machine vibrated a lot during the spin cycle, so he padded the bottom machine footing with foam and towels since there were neighbors living below him. He used it throughout the time he lived there since he didn't want to pay for using the apartment laundry machines.   
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: Cassie on March 05, 2016, 01:50:57 PM
When I lived in a small condo I had a SEars brand small washer/dryer. The washer hooked up to kitchen sick and the dryer vented into a bucket of water.
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: trashmanz on March 05, 2016, 02:01:50 PM
When I lived in a small condo I had a SEars brand small washer/dryer. The washer hooked up to kitchen sick and the dryer vented into a bucket of water.

Dryer vented into a bucket of water?
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: tipster350 on March 05, 2016, 02:03:08 PM
You can use any washer with the kitchen sink, with buying just a few parts to adapt to sink use.

I've had a couple of portable washers. One was a Whirlpool with wheels and one was a Haier. The Haier didn't come with wheels, but through the magic of the internet I was able to learn that I should buy wheels for it at Lowes that screwed into holes in the bottom and not the Haier wheel set. It worked great, but if the machine wasn't completely level, the machine would not work right or would not operate at all. Some people put the Haier washers without wheels on dollies.

A regular washer will also work, as long as you have the space for it. You can buy a Y-shaped hose part that attaches to both the cold and hot intake rings, leaving a single attachment hose for screwing into the faucet. The only issue with a stationary setup is that you need hoses for intake and output that are long enough to reach the sink, and dealing with the long hoses in the kitchen might be a challenge.

There are many Youtube videos on all the various solutions and how to do them, and what parts you need to buy.

My only caution with the portable washers is that many of them are so small that you will end up doing many loads and will tie up your sink for a long time. I recommend buying the largest capacity you can find that fits your space.
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: tipster350 on March 05, 2016, 02:12:17 PM
You can also connect a regular washer to the hot and cold water intake under the sink. There is a youtube video made by an apartment dweller describing how to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glIG7M6yYL0
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: Cassie on March 05, 2016, 02:22:03 PM
Yes it had a long hose that was connected to this big plastic box that you filled with water. The lint went into the water.
Title: Re: Washing Machine for Kitchen Sink?
Post by: Greenly Spirits on March 05, 2016, 08:11:56 PM
Thank you so much for the feedback! I have two toddlers in cloth diapers, so I do a lot of laundry, and don't want to have to go to the laundromat every couple days.