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Blog > Washing Machines & Washer Dryers > Washing machines are too big – I need a small washing machine

Washing machines are too big – I need a small washing machine

The standard width space for a kitchen appliance has been 600 mm (60 cm) for many years. However, many people are stuck with kitchens not fitted to the proper European size and have spaces smaller than this. In the past it wasn’t so serious a problem because you could usually find a washing machine a few millimetres smaller but these days almost all free standing washing machines are at least 595mm (59.5 cm) wide.

I’ve come across a few smaller washing machines but unfortunately none have a full sized drum.

Zanussi do a small washing machine but it only has a 3Kg drum size instead of the standard 5Kg (or even 6Kg drum these days).

Zanussi Compact ZWC1300W small washing machine

Depth: 51.5cm (515mm)
Width: 49.5cm (495mm)
Height: 67cm (670mm)
Drum Capacity: (only) 3Kg

Search Washerhelp Affiliates for Zanussi Compact ZWC1300W

Another alternative is a Bosch WLX24162 which is a slimline front loading washing machine – the slimness is in depth here though, not width. I has a larger 4.5Kg drum capacity because it still uses 60 cm for width. 4.5Kg is the drum size all washing machines had around 20 years ago so although small, (the average size now is 6Kg) if we managed with them 20 years ago it’s possible to manage now if needs must. The measurements are -

Width 60 cm – (23 inch)
Height 84.7 cm – (33 inch)
Depth 44 cm – (17 inch)

This machine might be hard to find as 4.5Kg drums are not wanted by the majority of people so it’s likely to be a very slow mover and few are likely to stock it. If you need one I would contact Bosch themselves if you can’t find one on sale or ask if anyone can order one.

Written By - Washerhelp on December 4th, 2008 with 6 comments
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6 Comments

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ericpeude ericpeude
#1. December 23rd, 2008, at 2:36 PM.


Hi,

The working services in our kitchen are bit too low for the ‘standard’ 85 cm high machines. I need a washing machine and dishwasher that a bit lower than this.

Can anyone recommend suitable ones?

Thanks.

Eric

Chantelle Chantelle
#2. January 19th, 2009, at 11:23 PM.


Hi there,

I too need to find a washing machine that is approx 83cm high. I might get away with 83.8-84cm at a push, but ideally 83 down to 80 at the very lowest.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Chantelle

Trackback Mention from Realurl.org
#3. July 21st, 2009, at 4:23 PM.

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Lena Woldemariam Lena Woldemariam
#4. August 18th, 2010, at 5:53 PM.


I need a washing with measurements not greater than
h 85 cm
w 58 cm

Does anyone know of one?

Wainam Wainam
#5. August 25th, 2010, at 7:23 PM.


There must be more people who need a slimmer washing machine than the current 60 cm width. the only one is the Zanussi 1300 that does not give much choice and is very expensive as no competition. I am sure there is the demand for it unfortunately the market is directed to high earners as it believes thats were there bread is buttered ! they may be making poor calculation…..

Washerhelp Washerhelp
#6. August 26th, 2010, at 12:29 PM.


Hello Wainam: You are right in that there is a demand for smaller washing machines but it’s a very small demand (excuse the pun).

Zanussi presumably make enough money to keep making their compact washing machine because it is a small niche market and they can charge enough to keep making it. If they could sell 10 times as many they could sell it for less but lack of competition does also inevitably add to the price.

The smaller the market for any product the more expensive it will be because global manufacturers need to sell in vast quantities to create cheap products. Unfortunately the Zanussi compact washing machine is way too small for most people with its 3Kg drum. The Bosch compact I also mention has a better drum size but it’s still only 4.5kg which is very small these days and it’s only slimmer in depth – not width.

The problem is there’s so much to cram into a washing machine these days especially larger drum sizes so most manufacturers naturally use up the maximum width they can use which is 60cm. There are lots of people with only a 59cm or even 58cm gap but no where near enough to create a viable market for a washing machine of that reduced width. It’s a great shame that so many people appear to have this problem as 60cm has been the standard kitchen appliance width for as long as I can remember. Presumably some people will have extremely small kitchens but many have just got badly designed fitted kitchens.

Is a built in washing machine an option, which may be smaller?

 

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