Before you turn on your washer and dryer and start that first load of laundry, there are a few things you need to make sure are in order first. The size of your home, your family, and what wash cycles are important to you all matter. Measuring for washer and dryer dimensions fluctuate with the type of appliance you choose. Whether it’s a top load or a front load washer will change the dimensions that are needed.
You may have already calculated the space needed for a new appliance, but have you considered everything? Is there the right kind of outlets for your new washer and dryer? Or have you measured the doorway and hallways that lead to your laundry room? We’ll walk you through the steps you should follow to create a seamless transition for your new laundry appliances. With the help of our guide, discover how to measure correctly which kind of washer and dryer set you want to invest in.
Measurements and More: 101 Guide
How to Choose the Right Laundry Machine
Measuring for a New Washing Machine
Compact Washer and Dryer Dimensions
Standard Washer and Dryer Dimensions
Large Capacity Washer and Dryer Dimensions
How Much Dirty Clothes Can a Washer Hold?
Laundry Machines 101
Before you make your final decision on which washer and dryer you want for your home, double-check to make sure you have everything in order. Laundry machines are definitely an investment and typically last between 10 to 13 years. Do you know which laundry appliance is best for you?
Household Size
Doing laundry day-in and day-out isn’t the ideal or best way to spend your time. If you have a larger family, you’ll definitely want a washer to accommodate everyone’s clothing. Large capacity washers and dryers are designed to make laundry day a breeze. But with a minimum of 28 inches in width, they can be hard to squeeze into smaller spaces.
If your home is tight on space or just one or two are in a household, compact washers and dryers may be the way to go. Don’t be fooled, their smaller stature doesn’t eliminate busting out loads of laundry with efficiency and sparkling features. For lofts, apartments, and tiny homes, a compact washer and dryer set will work perfectly.
Drum Sizes
If you plan on washing bulkier items frequently, look for a washer and dryer with a larger drum capacity. The drum is simply the tub inside your machines. If the drum is too small and you find yourself stuffing bedding and pillows into your machine, you may experience an increase in the likelihood of mold residue and bacteria buildup.
Another tip to remember is washing machines with impellers won’t be able to handle bigger loads as easily as machines without the middle spindle. But impeller machines often have better eco-friendly features. So, your washing habits and your household needs will affect the drum size you should invest in.
Budget and Features
It’s not uncommon to see washer and dryer sets with WiFi capabilities these days. Connectivity gives you easier access to your laundry cycles. It allows you to schedule needed appointments before your machines break down. Laundry appliances can also feature Google Assistant, various custom features like saving your favorite cycles, and even specialized washing and drying options for your clothing. But with added features also come heftier budgets.
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When investing in a new washer and dryer, remember that these appliances will last around ten years. In a decade, your family size could grow considerably, energy and water pricing trends could increase, or you may be moved into a different home. Take these factors into account when reviewing your budget, and make sure to invest in something that will serve you and your household for the appliance’s entire lifespan.
How Do I Measure for a New Washing Machine?
Now that we’ve gone through a few things to consider before investing in a new appliance, let’s break down the dimensions of different washer and dryer options.
The measuring process for a new washer and dryer isn’t too complicated, but we want to ensure you don’t miss a step. First, ensure the height, depth, and width of the closet or room you’ll be moving the appliance into. Secondly, remember to have enough room for the dryer hose, and don’t forget that you’ll want to close the laundry room doors when either appliance is running.
The height, width, and depth directly relate to the unit itself in this guide. We have not accounted for extra space for hose lengths, clearance for when the front-facing or overhead lids are fully open, or from the gap between the back of the appliance and the wall. Make sure to triple-check when measuring that you include these measurements in your specific room.
Keep a minimum of six inches behind your washer and dryer to ensure proper connection and make sure correct voltage points are within easy reach.
Compact Washer and Dryer Dimensions
If your home is a tighter squeeze for furniture and appliances, a compact washer and compact dryer are great avenues. Compact washers can be divided into two different options: vent and ventless. A compact washer will generally have a width less than 27 inches and is generally the size of a dishwasher. If you really need to save space, a ventless compacted washer and dryer set is the way to go.
Discover our 5 Washer & Dryer Combos that Conquer Tight Spaces
Vented and Ventless Compact Washer Dimensions
- Exterior width: 24 to 27 inches
- Height: 34 inches
- Depth: 34 inches
- Capacity: 2.30 to 2.45 cubic feet
- Additional Measurement: Add four inches of additional measurements if the washer is vented
Compact Dryer Dimensions
- Exterior width: 24 to 27 inches
- Height: 34 to 39 inches
- Depth: 24 to 34 inches
- Capacity: 2.0 to 3.4 cubic feet
Standard Washer and Dryer Dimensions
Most of today’s market consists of front and top load washing machines. They are the traditional designs most of us are familiar with. These standard washers and dryers are great for smaller homes and shoppers looking for quicker wash cycles.
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Top Load Washer Dimensions
Easier to load, less expensive, and with shorter cycles, top load washers are an easy pick for budget-friendly shoppers. Below are the standard sizes for a top load washers’ dimension.
Top Load Washer Dimensions
- Exterior Width: 24 to 28 inches
- Height: 36 to 45 inches
- Depth: 24 to 30 inches
- Capacity: 1.7 to 3.1+ cubic feet (depending on the drum size)
Front Load Washer Dimensions
Front-load washers dominate the market today. They are more energy-efficient than other competitors because they use less water during cycles and spin at quicker speeds. Also, they are easily stackable, which means they take up less space in a room or closet.
Front Load Washer Dimensions
- Exterior width: 24 to 30 inches
- Height: 33 to 42 inches
- Depth: 20 to 34 inches
- Capacity: 1.7 to 3.1+ cubic feet (depending on drum size)
Dryers
Unless you plan to invest in a stackable washer and dryer set, you can easily match your front load dryers to any washer. There are perks to having matching washer and dryer sets like cohesive styles and similar features. For side by side washer and dryer dimensions, combine the washer measurements of choice with the dryer-of-choice. Depending on your budget, the size of your home, and the features you want will affect this decision.
Standard Front Load Dryer Dimensions
- Exterior width: 27 to 29 inches
- Height: 41 to 44 inches
- Depth: 26 to 32 inches
- Capacity: 3 to 7 cubic feet
Stackable Washer and Dryer Closet Dimensions
If you’re looking to stack your washer and dryer, knowing how tall they can be and how wide the span is important. Most front load washer and dryer sets give you the ability to stack them but check the manual to see how to and if you can.
Stackable Washer Dryer Dimensions
- Width: 27 to 29 inches
- Height (together): 77 to 80 inches tall
- Depth: 32 to 34 inches
Large Capacity Washer and Dryer Dimensions
Large washer and dryer sets are considered the Goliaths of the appliance world. If you are considering a large capacity washer and dryer, make sure to double-check your measurements. Typically, mega washers and dryers are a little less consistent in size than other laundry options. Still, any machine that holds over five cubic feet of clothing fits this category.
Large Capacity Washer Dimensions
- Exterior width: 27 to 30 inches
- Height: 38 to 40 inches
- Depth: 30 to 35 inches
- Capacity: Anything above 5 cubic feet
How Much Can My Washing Machine Hold?
Did you know that over-filling and under-filling your washing machine can impact its lifespan? Knowing how much your washer and dryer can hold will help elongate your machine’s life.
A standard top-load washing machine can hold roughly 12 pounds of laundry. In contrast, a front-load washing machine can accommodate 15 to 18 pounds of clothes. If you opt for a large machine, you can finish all your laundry in one sweep with the ability to load 20 to 22 pounds of clothes in one cycle. We’ll break down a few measurements to bring these numbers to reality.
How much do dirty clothes weigh?
- Blue jeans or a large towel weigh roughly 1.6 pounds
- If you have a full-sized bed, your sheets weigh 1.3 pounds
- XL shirts are around 0.5 pounds
- A medium-sized sweatshirt is a little under 1.0 pounds
What happens if I overfill my washing machine?
- A shortened lifespan of your machine
- Clothes will not be properly cleaned due to the inability to spin
- Can cause drainage issues due to clothes blocking the channel
What happens if I underfill my washing machine?
- Small loads will congregate on one side of the machine while spinning, causing an imbalance resulting in louder cycles
- Inability to spin effectively
- Higher costs in water bills, energy, and laundry detergent
In a Nutshell
All in all, there is a perfect laundry machine fit for everyone. To bring everything we’ve talked about to a concise finish, we conclude that:
- If you measure your space correctly (don’t forget doors and hallways), you shouldn’t have trouble installing your machines.
- Your family size, lifestyle, and household budget are all important factors to consider when choosing a washing machine.
- A washer and dryer should last you 10 to 13 years if well-maintained.
Why Trust Us?
Since 1972, Aztec Appliance has been offering quality sales and service for name-brand appliances. Our mission is to not only help you achieve all your appliance dreams, but we also want to bring value to your home beyond materialistic amenities. Our team is an authentic group of people dedicated to our work, and we share the same undeniable passion for people and serving them the best we can. Suffice it to say, we know appliances.
Whether it’s a first birthday, a backyard wedding, or a retirement celebration, our hope is to give you the opportunity to enjoy life’s little moments. After all, memories are not consigned to the big moments — they exist within the little ones. And you can rest assured our inventory of top-performing kitchen, laundry, and outdoor appliances will help you spend less time keeping the home and more time with the people who make it home.
Shop Washer and Dryers at Aztec
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop washers and dryers online for the guaranteed lowest price at Aztec. Check out Aztec Appliance reviews, and if you have questions, our friendly product experts are always happy to help you find the best washer and dryer dimensions for your home — whether you call us at 858-987-5777 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our Aztec Appliance San Diego showroom located at the heart of downtown. Visit us today!
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