Is It Safe to Put a Tumble Dryer in a Cupboard?

Published on: 15/11/2024 Author: Babette

While you might love your tumble dryer, you might not be so enthused to have it out all the time. Tumble dryers can look out of place in your space and the noise could interrupt when you’re trying to do other things. 

Our washing machine cupboards are intuitively designed to help to reduce the noise of your laundry appliances, while also promoting better airflow to enhance safety. 

Discover these top safety tips for putting a tumble dryer in a cupboard from the experts here at Washtower.  

Tumble Dryers In Cupboards - Is It Safe?

For those in search of a definitive answer to the age-old question of ‘Can you put a tumble dryer in a cupboard?’ you’ll be pleased to know the answer is yes. However, as with installing any type of appliance, the answer can vary depending on your appliance and also the cupboard itself. 

What’s most important is that the cupboard is built and installed in a way that reduces the chances of a fire or damage to the appliance. This includes providing ventilation to prevent your appliance from overheating and catching fire. Likewise, you will need to be able to access the dryer to carry out repairs. Therefore, when choosing a place to house a tumble dryer, safety is paramount. 

Washtower prioritises safety with aspects such as TÜV certification, which means our cupboards have been tested both for their mechanical function and safety. Overall, your choice of manufacturer makes a huge difference in terms of the approach to safety.

What Type Of Dryer Can I Put In A Cupboard?

In short, you can put any type of tumble dryer in a cupboard so long as any required safety aspects are met, which we’ll explain more about in a second. 

So whether you have a freestanding or an integrated tumble dryer, it’s possible to find a solution. 

On the whole, though, condenser tumble dryers are considered the most cabinet-friendly tumble dryer types, owing to the fact that they do not require external ventilation. However, you will still need to be able to access the machine. 

Similarly, many people wonder if they can put a condenser tumble dryer in a cupboard under the stairs. Usually, this is fine, though the need for space clearance still applies. It is always best to ask a professional tradesperson to determine if the under-the-stairs space is suitable, as there may be unforeseen issues that could pose another problem.

Tumble Dryer Cupboard Safety Checklist

Ensure your tumble dryer has ventilation (for vented dryers) along with clearance room at the back for ease of maintenance. 

At Washtower, our cupboards have ventilation in addition to an open front and back. However, a great tip is to check the product requirements of your machine before choosing a laundry cabinet. 

In terms of why these aspects are important, ventilation is usually required to expel moisture to prevent the growth of damp and mould. Clearance room is also needed so that hot air can escape which helps prevent the tumble dryer from overheating or catching fire. 

All tumble dryers require maintenance including the regular emptying of the lint tray, and so the clearance room around the machine within the cabinet should also allow for this. Likewise, condenser dryers have a tray to collect water which will need to be emptied after each use. 

Why Put A Tumble Dryer In The Cupboard?

Enhanced Aesthetics

Similar to the washing machine, tumble dryers can look more stylish when housed in a cabinet. A purpose-built tumble dryer cabinet can also offer practical accessories for ease of use.

To Save Space

A tumble dryer cupboard can be purchased in various configurations, including stacked or side-by-side options. All available configurations look to save space while maximising functionality. 

Reduce Noise

While washing machines make the most noise, it makes sense to house both appliances within a cupboard if possible. Washtower cabinets boast anti-vibration technology to reduce noise.

Tumble Dryer In Cupboard Products

When shopping for a cupboard for the tumble dryer, be sure to shop for purpose-built products. That’s exactly what you’ll find here at Washtower. For example, you can create a completely custom set-up and place your machine at the perfect height for you to reach without bending. Our tumble dryer cabinets are stylish and provide endless features to fuse practicality with style. All of our tumble dryer cabinets are available in a range of configurations with various accessories available. You can also select between white or black cabinets depending on your preferences.

Tumble Dryer In A Cupboard Not Doable?

If for any reason you don’t have the required space, ventilation, plumbing or electrics to install a tumble dryer in a cupboard, all is not lost. An obvious point is to check that another location in your home isn’t a more suitable option, i.e. a utility room, garage or even the bathroom. 

Alternatively, you can choose to house only the washing machine in a cabinet and place the dryer elsewhere. Or, you may be able to explore different configurations (i.e. the tumble dryer and washer stacked on top of each other) as mentioned above. 

Be sure to check out our full range of products to see what’s possible in your specific case. Our configurator tool can also be useful for solving any specific challenges, or just to see what’s possible. 

Shop Washtower Tumble Dryer Cabinets

There are many reasons to put your tumble dryer in the cupboard. You might want it to be out of sight if it doesn’t fit in with your kitchen. Tumble dryer cupboards are not only convenient, space-saving and noise-reducing but they can also be customised to fit your tumble dryer too. 

So long as you follow the necessary requirements based on your machine, it is usually possible and most importantly safe to put a tumble dryer in a cabinet. 

Remember, when it comes to determining ‘Do tumble dryers need space around them?’ the answer is always yes. It's essential to consult the manufacturer's instructions for the amount of clearance space required. 

Once you’ve found the answer based on your specific machine, you can shop your perfect tumble dryer cabinet here at Washtower. 

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