Replace dishwasher with clothes washer

[dinkhelpneeded]

Hi,

I have a dishwasher I barely use in my home. My washer and dryer are located in a detached garage and it becomes a pain in the winter to go back and forth from the main home.

I was wondering how easy/difficult it is to remove a dishwasher and replace with a clothes washer (if I can find one the same size). I am happy to line dry my clothes.

Is it something than can be DIY-ed or would you recommend a handy man? I have no experience.
Do washers come in similar sizes as dishwashers? i.e. can I use the same location under kitchen counter to place the washer?
I will be re-selling the home in a few years and I can always put back the dishwasher when selling, what do you think?

Thanks!

[deborah]

Rules are much more lax in the US than Australia, but here it would be illegal because of the possibility of food contamination by faeces etc.

[zolotiyeruki]

Traditional clothes washers are 27" wide, and dishwashers are usually 24", so that puts you in a niche (read: expensive) market from the get-go.  Where are you located?  Do you currently have a combination washer/dryer? What types of plumbing hookups (supply and drain) does it have? Gas or electric?

[Greg]

It would be a lot of cost and work to make the change in relation to the amount of inconvenience.  In addition to the width issue, the connections would be difficult to plumb.  Most appliances, a clothes washer needs a 1.5" standing drain at least 30" high. from entrance to trapway.  This would require a lot of changes in the wall.

Another option is an in-sink setup, where the drain discharges into the sink.  This is how a lot of washers drain in older homes with washtubs.

[worms]

Probably not helpful, but in Europe they are all completely interchangeable, with most built to standard widths and depths.  I would never think of needing to get any sort of professional to install either of these appliances!