Some people find their worktops have been fitted too low and their washing machine won’t fit underneath because it’s too tall. 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 although it’s not easy to research the height of washing machines and most are the same standard height anyway. (Washing machines and associated problems with sizes)
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 4Washerhelp 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 –
- It will increase noise levels
- Expose a possibility for small fingers to touch electrical parts if there is a gap
- 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
- 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)
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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 nut. Refit the feet and screw all the way down. This should allow the feet to be screwed in 4 or 5 mm further.
More info below
Make sure you read the comments below where users have shared their experiences – especially the comment by Trevor
Joe M says
If its only a few mm, have you tried removing the lock nuts off the feet as mentioned above?
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
I missed that tip about taking the lock nuts off if fitted Joe. I’ll add that into my main article thanks.
Samantha says
Hi there, we have had new flooring put into our house. Unfortunately no-one realised the appliances would no longer fit under the worktops which i believe are fitted quite low! The machine is an Indesit WIXL123 and the previous owner must have already removed the feet as there are only felt pads there now so no option to do anything there! Ive had no joy from Indesit regarding a lid or height restriction kit – they no longer make them. Is there anything i can do? Can i get a low level lid from another brand and place it on top to at least keep it covered? or will the worktop alone be enough of a cover if i remove lid? I’m out of ideas! Thanks!
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello Samantha. I describe reducing height of a washing machine without height reduction kit in my article above. It lists the disadvantages of not using a lid, one of which is potential fire hazard. If the new flooring is tiled I would consider removing tiles from underneath. Alternatively you would probably be able to fit built-in appliances underneath, though that obviously is a very expensive option. If it will only fit underneath without a lid then any high reducing lid should do the job as long as it fits, and as long as nothing metal on the underside of the lid touches any electrical parts.
Lali says
Why not buy a lntegrated one and fit as a standard one as thei heights are around 82cms than the standard 85cms
Margaret Humphreys says
Hi Andy,
Like everyone else on here I’m having trouble fitting a new washing machine under re-fitted lower work tops. If I manage to remove the locking nuts from the feet, how will this affect the stability of the machine? Or how easy would it be to remove and fit a height reduction top, assuming I can find one?
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello Margaret. The locking nuts are arguably non-essential. Removing them will allow the feet to be screwed in further to a depth equal to the size of the locking nut. Their job is to help stop the feet from unscrewing or screwing further in caused by movement of the washing machine. If you remove the locking nuts and screw all of the feet completely in then I can’t see any problem whatsoever.
On the other hand if you have had to adjust the feet on your washing machine to accommodate a slightly uneven floor and therefore have some feet screwed in at different levels then removing the locking nuts may result in the washing machine occasionally moving away from being evenly balanced if one or more of the feet loses its position. This of course would not be a major problem for most people and might just need occasional readjustment.
Margaret Humphreys says
Thanks for the advice Andy. The locking nut on the Bosch that I bought seems to be about 1/2″ which might just about do it, however, Currys are due to pick it up today for refund! might have to re-purchase it! John Lewis probably seem a better option, as Currys staff don’t seem to be able to offer decent advice. Electra seem to be shorter overall, about 84.5cm , do you happen to know if the locking nuts would be the same size? Sorry to be a pain!
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hi Margaret. I would expect washing machine feet and threads and nuts to all be quite similar but there will be differences. Half an inch seems very large. I would expect most locking nuts on washing machine feet to be about 5 or 6 mm.
Allan Jensen says
Back in the late 80’s In my late teens, I installed 100’s of Washing machines in my native Denmark and often had to fit a height reduction kit on, which consists of a very thin flexible metal plate screwed into the top along the sides in lieu of the wood/plastic top the machine originally is fitted with.
No doubt the best solution if you can get it from the manufacturer. I now have the same problem with a new condo I bought in Kuala Lumpur and I have emailed Bosch, Samsung and LG before I make my decision which machine to get.
I remember Bosch, Zanussi and AEG doing these kits but not sure if it is the case any more. In older houses in utility rooms and bathrooms, the floor is often very uneven and you need to adjust the legs to get the machine level but I suspect on the 12th floor of my brand new condo that the floor is 100% level in the wet kitchen so I’m contemplating to remove the feet or at very least the counter locking nuts which should help to reduce the height maybe 5-6 mm.
Do note if you go to a shop and measure a machine, that the bottom of a washing machine may not be completely even and the corners where the feet are mounted in, usually protrudes a little downwards, so don’t assume you can just measure the height on the side of the machine and think you can remove the feet completely and reduce the height correspondingly to the dimensions of the side plate; it will be a few mm higher, even without the feet.
Thanks for keeping this site up. Very helpful when one ends up in this rare and frustrating situation.
Cheers. Allan