Small Space Scribes on September 14, 2020 0 Comments One of the biggest draws to living in a tiny home is the ability to customize your specific housing needs in a minimalistic way. You get to decide which features of a traditional home are important to you and which features you will be glad to do away with. Since every inch is accounted for, many people decide to forgo a laundry unit believing that it takes up valuable space, especially if you are only doing laundry once a week or so. Yet, downsizing your home also means downsizing your closet space. Having fewer clothes means you may have to wash them more often. Without the right unit in your home, you’ll be constantly hand-washing your clothes or saving all your quarters and frequently visiting the local laundromat. If you don’t want to find time in your schedule to visit a laundromat or have to hand wash everything and find space for it to dry, then it’s safe to say you’ve deemed a space to do laundry to be an essential in your tiny home. When deciding on what type of laundry unit you should go with, you have several options: a washer dryer combo, stackable washer dryer, or washer only. The one you choose will depend on your own personal needs and preferences. Below are three laundry options to maximize space and efficiency in your small living space. 1. Washer Dryer Combo Being able to do your laundry within your tiny home is important to you, but so is making sure that each inch you take up is worth it. When you want your space to be as efficient as possible try going with a washer dryer combo. These laundry units are your one stop shop for clean clothes in a nice compact size. Washer dryer combos are mainly ventless units that have only two requirements, a 120V plug and a cold-water connection. They use a drying method called condensation drying that allows them to be ventless, which means they don’t require a dryer vent hookup. With only one unit instead of two, the footprint is much smaller, and a combo can be used virtually anywhere. There’s no need for a designated laundry area; you could use the unit by a bathroom or kitchen sink, and with a portability kit, roll it away and store it when not in use. 2. Stackable Washer Dryer If you’re willing to sacrifice some storage space then look into purchasing a stackable washer dryer like this one from Whirlpool. You can easily wash everyday loads with its 3.5 cu. ft. capacity washer. The AutoDry Drying System helps prevent overdrying by sensing when clothes have reached the right moisture content and stopping the cycle. If you go this route, keep in mind that with a stackable washer dryer you’re sacrificing the usual storage space above the washer or dryer. Make sure you have a cupboard nearby to store your detergent, stain removal spray, and dryer sheets. Some people like to save space by storing their laundry supplies inside the washer and dryer when not in use. 3. Washer Only Another space-saving option is to just get a washer and consider drying your clothes on a clothesline in your backyard when the weather allows or using a drying rack inside. Just be sure to have a fabric softener and an iron on-hand because, without a dryer, clothes can often become stiff and wrinkled. For most people, doing laundry is a required yet undesirable task. Make it more manageable for yourself by finding an option that is both space-saving and efficient so that you can focus your time and energy on enjoying life in your tiny home.
