Do I NEED risers for my washer/dryer?

[bengalfreak]

I made one big riser out of 2x4's and plywood. I painted them to match my appliances. I also made the riser about a 1' wider in front so that I could step onto it to reach my storage overhead since my riser didn't have drawers and I, too, am short. Cost me about 40 bux and 3 hours on a Saturday.

 

[jls886]

For those wishing they had pedestals - check Sears Outlet to see if they have your style. My mom just got a new front-load washer/dryer and we were able to get her pedestals for $80 each (with one or two scratches on the sides) instead of the $300 Sears wanted to charge for new ones! The ones at our nearest outlet were $160 but they price-matched to a Nebraska store that had theirs for $80. She has a bad knee so she wouldn't be able to bend down and dig clothes out without the pedestals.

http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/index.jsp

 

[Jenny3]

I have the pedestals and love them. Not only because they save my bad back from extra bending and straining, but also because of the storage for detergents, bleach, fabric softener, etc.

 

[arihillfarm]

No, you don't need risers. Besides, that what I have children for, LOL! The 4 year old and one year old can reach anything in the washer that I can't get. We did get a stacking kit for ours and it works well. Takes only half the floor space (leaving us room for an upright freezer in the laundry room) and I only have to stoop to get into the washer. The dryer door is at eye level.

-Astrid

 

[North of Mouse]

About a year ago I bought a front loading washer and dryer for a new house I was moving into. I measured the space to make sure they would fit before I bought so that was fine, but I also bought risers because I thought having the drawers would be convenient. Well, they are upstairs and the closet they are in is not carpeted, but the hallway it faces is so the drawers don't open on the risers, they get stopped by the carpet.

I am toying with the idea of selling the risers. It is nice not bending over to use the washer and dryer, but I am short and since the risers make them tall I can't reach the cupboards above them to put anything in them. So if I sell the risers I could use the cupboards for storage. I'm torn. What have your experiences been?

Since the appliances are heavy I don't want to ask DH to remove the risers to try it out unless I'm sure I'm getting rid of them.

I also have the front loaders and did not want, or buy the risers. I, too, *use* the tops of my machines to fold clothes, etc. plus with the cabinets above, it just didn't look like such a nice appearance to me. Anyway , I have no problems with bending over a little, just hasn't been an issue with me.

 

[J3nn78]

We put ours up on cinder blocks and then made a wood panel cover. Much cheaper than risers.

 

[Fjobe]

We have had a front loader (2 different kinds) for 12 years with no pedestals. It's not a problem for me. During my pregnancies, I wished that I had them, but that's the only time I've really wished I had them. When I'm transferring clothes from the washer to the dryer, I always do it on my knees or while squatting (not a problem for me since I'm a small person to begin with). Although not having the risers works for me, if I already had them I would probably keep them.

 

[mieuxmew]

I need to replace my washer. I currently have my washer/dryer on pedestals and do like not bending over. Years ago, they were an extra $150 each. Now, they are $250 each!! (way, way overpriced, in my opinion)

Sad to say, today's washers are not meant to last. The pedestals are built to be specific for each different model, so most likely not able to be reused with a new washer/dryer. I will most likely not get a pedestal for the new washer. I fortunately don't have back or knee issues.