Some people find their kitchen worktops have been fitted too low and so their washing machine won’t fit underneath. If you haven’t bought a washing machine yet and the height difference is only a few millimetres you may be able to find one that’s slightly lower than average..
However, you may find it impossible to find a washing machine low enough to fit. If the washing machine is only a few millimetres too high it may be worth trying to find a washing machine that will fit. However, it’s not easy to research the height of washing machines. Most are the same standard height anyway. (Washing machines and associated problems with sizes)
If you cannot find a washing machine small enough to fit under the worktop there is always the possibility of reducing the size of the washing machine instead.
Reducing height using height reduction kit
Most washing machine manufacturers have a specially designed low lid (a flat metal plate with a seal) which is available as an accessory. This will lower the height of your washing machine safely. I’ve had reports from a Miele owner that their reduction kit reduced the height of their washing machine by about 2 and a half centimetres (25mm).
I can see also that an old Hotpoint washing machine range can be reduced by 30 mm. Sometimes they come as a complete “height reduction kit” which can include replacement feet or wheels to further lower the washing machine height if necessary.
However, these kits aren’t always easily available as they don’t sell many. You may be able to find one on Ransom Spares but if not contact the manufacturer. Height reduction kits
NOTE: there are several height reduction kits listed over 2 pages of results. However, some don’t have photos or even model numbers that they fit. If you can’t find enough information just send a part enquiry via the “Need help?” box at the bottom of the page. You should also try to be sure exactly how much the height of the washing machine will be reduced by using the reduction kit before purchasing. Miele height reduction kits – Reducing the height of a Miele washing machine
Reducing height without a kit
The most common method of getting a washing machine to fit under a worktop that’s too low is to remove the lid, which will reduce the height of the washing machine by a few millimetres, or even up to an inch or so depending on the height of the original lid. However, you should not use the washing machine without a lid!
If you just remove the lid it will of course lower the height of the washing machine but with the following consequences –
1: It will increase noise levels
2: It may create a dangerous possibility for small fingers to touch electrical parts if there is a gap.
3: If the washing machine caught fire there’s nothing to contain it and smoke could escape to the room. In the event of something catching fire inside the lack of a lid would also allow much more oxygen to the fire and could make it more serious
4: Any leak from above the machine could allow water inside to short out and blow expensive parts (leak from a bathroom ceiling above the kitchen or just water from the worktop above for example)
Removing the feet
Removing the feet, which should just screw out will reduce the height of a washing machine. However, the feet do 3 jobs. They stop the washing machine scratching the floor, they help keep it from sliding around, and they allow you to make the washing machine level if the floor is uneven. If you take them off you may have other problems.
Here’s one tip (from Joe M in the comments). If the feet have locking nuts on the thread unscrew the feet and take off the locking nut. Refit the feet and screw all the way down. This should allow the feet to be screwed in 4 or 5 mm further.
how do sizes from different manufacturers differ?
For an idea of how the height, width and depth of washing machines varies (or in reality doesn’t vary much) between different manufacturers check out my investigation here washing machine sizes comparison
More info below
Make sure you read the comments below where other users have shared their experiences.
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I have exactly this problem- my counter height is 84 cm which means no convential machine will fit under it. After much research I’ve discovered that Zanussi make a height reduction plate for a lot of their machines. This takes 3-5 cm off the top. I’ve ordered a Zanussi zwd14581 washer dryer and the zanussi parts helpline is charging £66 including VAT and delivery for the height reduction kit (part number 20292669004). Apparently they make plates for a lot of their machine, but it’s only possible to find out which ones if you call with the model number you are reqursting and speak to customer care. (08705 727727). It’s taken 3 days to find all this out so hopefully this will be useful to someone!
Hello Washer Help users…
I’ve just bought an Indesit IWDC6143, and without ever having a CLUE that my worktop might be too low, I’ve found that the worktop is a smidge too low (technical measurement!).
Just rung Indesit, and spoken to Amy from the Spare Parts Team. She’s advised me that they only do height reduction kits for washing machines that start with product code WMA; apparently they’re quite old appliances now too.
Ho-hum, back to the jack-it-up/plane-some-worktop-off school of thought!
Can anyone tell me if it is ok to have the worktop fitting very tightly on a washing machine
It’s not ideal Rosemary. An air gap over the top of the washing machine will help air flow. Also, if the washer ever had a violently out of balance load (less likely these days due to out of balance systems but still possible) then the machine could jump up and damage worktops though it would have to be quite violent. If there’s otherwise good airflow gaps around the sides it might be doable.
I have just purchased a Bosch washing machine (8kg) and height reduction kit (kit for just over £40). This will reduce the height from 85 am to around 82-82.5 cm.
Very few other companies still do height reduction kits. Most Bosch washing machines have that option (but not all).
If you need a 8kg (or more) washing machine they are all a standard 85 cm in height now, and if you don’t have that space my advice would be to go for a Bosch. Have a look at John Lewis, ao.com and Currys for their models and then phone Bosch directly with the models you are looking at and then ask them if they have height reduction kits available. If they do, order the kit directly from Bosch. I’ve been told they are easy to fit- just a few screws. Hope this helps someone save some time!!
Thanks John, that’s useful. If anyone is buying please consider using the links on my buy appliances page which really helps to keep my advice and this site running.
Hi Andy I’ve bought an Electrolux black free standing washer 914530239 and it won’t fit under my work top. I’ve read your advice and I’ve searched for a height reduction kit or flat top for it but to no avail. Can you help please?
Hello Allison. You need to directly ask Electrolux, few other people will stock these kits as there’s very little demand for them. Only if Electrolux say they don’t make one will you know they aren’t available. If that is the case the only option is to see if you could make another kit fit somehow but Electrolux are the people you need to get advice from. You can find their web site on my here – instruction manual pages
It may prove useful to advise that I have contacted several of the main retail outlets to ask if reduction kits are available via their links with manufacturers and none were agreeable to pursue. Consequently, I have e-mailed the leading brand manufacturers to request details of which models have these kits attainable via accessory purchase. I’ll post these details if responses are forthcoming.
Thanks Trevor. It’s not something most retailers are interested in because presumably there’s little or not profit in stocking them. It’s only a very small minority of people that ever need them. I think the manufacturer of an appliance may be the better option for advice and even ordering them from although when you are looking to buy it would be very useful if retailers could advise if they are available, how much they reduce the height and how much they cost.