Raise a washing machine off the floor
Washing machine pedestals and stands are purpose-made products that raise a machine by approximately 30 to 35cm. They are useful when the machine needs to be higher for drainage reasons, to lift it above a damp or flood-prone floor, or simply for ergonomic comfort when loading and unloading. Before buying a pedestal for drainage purposes, test the height difference first using temporary supports to confirm it makes the required improvement.
Why You Might Need to Raise a Washing Machine
Improving drainage height in a basement or cellar
A washing machine in a basement that struggles to pump water up to ground-floor drainage level may benefit from being raised. The machine’s pump works against less head pressure for every centimetre it is raised. A pedestal typically provides around 30 to 35cm of additional height. Whether this is sufficient to resolve a drainage problem depends on the total height the pump needs to overcome. See our full guide on washing machines in a basement – a specialist pump system may be a more reliable solution for significant height differences.
Protection from damp or water ingress
In areas prone to condensation on the floor, occasional flooding, or persistent damp, raising the machine reduces the risk of water reaching the motor, electrical components, and pump at the base of the machine. Even a modest height increase provides meaningful protection against shallow water ingress.
Ergonomic comfort
Loading and unloading a front-loading washing machine from floor level involves significant bending. Raising the machine by 30 to 35cm brings the drum opening to a more comfortable height, reducing strain on the back. Many purpose-made pedestals include a storage drawer below the machine for laundry products or small items.
Testing Before Buying a Pedestal
If the reason for raising the machine is to improve drainage – particularly in a basement installation – it is worth confirming the height increase actually makes a sufficient difference before spending on a pedestal.
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Temporarily raise the machine using stable supports.
Place the machine on sturdy, stable supports to approximately the same height a pedestal would achieve. Secure the machine so it cannot move during the test – it must not be able to slide or tip. Do not proceed if the temporary arrangement is not secure.
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Run a test wash with a normal load.
A rinse and spin cycle with laundry inside is sufficient to test drainage and confirm the machine is stable at the raised height. The machine must have a proper load inside to replicate real operating conditions – an empty drum produces an unbalanced spin.
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Observe drainage and stability throughout the cycle.
Confirm that drainage has improved and that the machine does not vibrate excessively or move on its temporary supports during spin. If both are satisfactory, a pedestal will provide a safe permanent version of the same setup.
A washing machine on temporary supports during spin is a significant safety risk if the supports are not completely stable. The machine must be unable to slide or tip. Do not leave it unattended during the test cycle. If in any doubt about the stability of the temporary arrangement, do not proceed.
Choosing a Washing Machine Pedestal
Washing machine pedestals are available from appliance retailers and the machine’s manufacturer. Key points to check before buying:
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Confirm compatibility with the specific machine. Pedestals are designed around specific machine dimensions and weight ratings. Check the pedestal’s stated maximum machine weight and footprint dimensions against the machine before ordering. -
Check the height provided. Most pedestals raise the machine by approximately 30 to 35cm. Confirm the final loaded drum height is comfortable for the household before ordering. -
Consider whether a drawer below is useful. Many pedestals include a pull-out storage drawer. This adds convenience but also adds cost. Assess whether the storage space is worth the additional price.
Installation Guides
Related Guides
Washing Machine in a BasementWhy a pump system rather than a pedestal is the correct solution for significant basement drainage height differences.
How to Install a Washing MachineStep-by-step installation guide including drainage, inlet connections, and levelling.
Washing Machine in a GarageInstallation considerations for garage settings – condensation, frost, and drainage.
How to Pull a Washing Machine Out SafelyTechnique for moving a washing machine without damaging floors, hoses, or the machine itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can raising a washing machine help it drain better?
Yes, in some cases. The drain pump has to overcome less head pressure when the machine is higher relative to the drainage connection. A pedestal typically raises the machine by 30 to 35cm. Whether this is sufficient to resolve a drainage problem depends on the total height the pump needs to overcome. For significant height differences – such as a full basement below ground-floor drainage – a specialist pump system is a more reliable solution than a pedestal alone.
What height does a washing machine pedestal raise the machine?
Most standard washing machine pedestals raise the machine by approximately 30 to 35cm. This brings a front-loading drum to a noticeably more comfortable loading height and provides a meaningful reduction in drainage head pressure. The exact height varies between products – check the specification before purchasing.
Are all washing machine pedestals compatible with all machines?
No. Pedestals are designed around specific machine dimensions and weight ratings. Confirm the pedestal’s maximum weight capacity and footprint dimensions match the specific machine before ordering. Some manufacturers produce pedestals specifically for their own machine ranges – these are the safest compatibility choice.
Do I need to use fabric softener on towels?
If laundry is going straight into the tumble dryer, fabric softener is largely unnecessary. The mechanical tumbling action in warm air softens fabric naturally. Skipping softener on tumble-dried loads saves money, reduces chemical use, and – for towels specifically – maintains their absorbency, which fabric softener reduces over time.
Why Tumble Drying Softens Laundry Without Fabric Softener
Fabric softener works by coating fibres with a thin layer of lubricating agents that make them feel soft to the touch. Tumble drying achieves a similar result through a different mechanism – the repeated tumbling of laundry in warm air physically relaxes the fibres and prevents them from drying stiff and compacted, which is what causes the characteristic roughness of line-dried laundry.
The result is that tumble-dried laundry emerges soft without any chemical assistance. Independent comparisons between loads dried with and without fabric softener after tumble drying consistently show no significant difference in softness – provided the load is not over-dried.
The softening effect of tumble drying works best when laundry is dried to the correct level of dryness and removed promptly. Over-dried laundry – left in a hot drum for too long after the cycle ends – can feel rough regardless of whether softener was used. Use a timed or sensor-dry programme appropriate to the load.
The Case Against Fabric Softener on Towels
There is an additional reason to skip fabric softener specifically on towels, regardless of whether they are tumble dried or line dried.
What fabric softener does to towels
Fabric softener leaves a coating on fibres that makes them feel smooth and soft. On towels, this coating also reduces the surface’s ability to absorb water – which is the primary function of a towel. Regular use of fabric softener on towels gradually reduces their absorbency over time.
Towels without fabric softener
Towels washed and tumble dried without fabric softener maintain their absorbency fully. They may feel slightly less soft initially but this is less noticeable than the gradual loss of absorbency from regular softener use. If the texture feels too rough, the solution is shorter drying times and prompt removal from the drum rather than adding softener.
Line Drying Without Fabric Softener
The softening effect of tumble drying does not apply to line drying. Laundry dried on a line without fabric softener may feel noticeably stiffer than it would with softener – particularly items like towels and cotton shirts. Some practical approaches:
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Try reducing the amount of softener rather than eliminating it entirely – even a smaller dose provides some softening effect on line-dried laundry. -
Do not leave laundry on the line longer than necessary. Over-drying on a line stiffens fibres. Remove promptly when dry. -
Give line-dried laundry a short tumble at low heat (10 to 15 minutes) after bringing it in. This relaxes the fibres and softens the texture without the full energy cost of a complete tumble dry cycle.
Fabric Softener on Children’s Nightwear
Fabric softener reduces the flame-resistant properties of garments designed to be fire-retardant – including children’s nightwear labelled as flame-resistant. Do not use softener on these items. See our full guide on fabric softener and children’s sleepwear.
Related Guides
Related Guides
Fabric Softener and Children’s NightwearWhy fabric softener must not be used on flame-resistant children’s sleepwear – a safety issue, not just a preference.
Do Dryer Balls Actually Work?What the evidence shows about tumble dryer balls – modest time savings, questionable softening claims.
Fabric Softener Taken Out Too SoonWhy the softener is being flushed during the wash rather than the rinse – and how to fix it.
Which Type of Detergent Is Best?Powder, liquid, and tablet detergents compared – and how detergent choice affects machine hygiene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need fabric softener if I tumble dry?
No. Tumble drying softens laundry through the mechanical action of items tumbling in warm air, which relaxes the fibres and prevents the stiffness associated with line drying. Fabric softener is not needed for tumble-dried laundry to feel soft, provided the load is not over-dried. Skipping softener on tumble-dried loads saves money and, for towels, maintains their absorbency.
Does fabric softener reduce the absorbency of towels?
Yes. Fabric softener works by leaving a lubricating coating on fibres. On towels, this coating reduces the surface area available to absorb water. Regular use of fabric softener on towels gradually reduces their absorbency over time. This is one of the stronger reasons to avoid softener on towels specifically – and tumble drying provides an alternative softening mechanism that does not compromise absorbency.
Will line-dried laundry be rough without fabric softener?
Possibly, depending on the fabric and drying conditions. Laundry dried on a line without softener can feel stiffer than tumble-dried laundry or softener-treated laundry. For towels and cotton items, a brief 10 to 15 minute tumble at low heat after line drying relaxes the fibres significantly. Reducing rather than eliminating softener is another option for line-dried loads where texture matters.
What temperature should you wash bed sheets at?
Wash cotton bed sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases at 60 degrees to kill bed bugs, dust mites, and bacteria. Once a week is the recommended frequency for effective hygiene. Non-cotton bedding should be checked against the care label – some synthetic and blended fabrics cannot tolerate 60 degrees and may need alternative treatment.
Bed bugs and their eggs survive cold and warm wash cycles. Cotton bedding should be washed at 60 degrees to kill bed bugs, dust mites, and bacteria. Always check the care label first – not all bedding fabrics can tolerate 60 degrees.
What Temperature Kills Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are killed by sustained exposure to high temperatures. A wash at 60 degrees for a standard cycle duration is sufficient to kill bed bugs and their eggs in most domestic washing machines. Lower temperatures – including 30 and 40 degree washes that have become common for energy efficiency – do not reliably kill bed bugs or their eggs, and may leave a population alive in bedding that has been through the machine.
| Wash temperature | Bed bugs killed? | Dust mites killed? | Bacteria reduced? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30°C | No | No | Minimal reduction |
| 40°C | No | Partially | Some reduction |
| 60°C | Yes | Yes | Significant reduction |
| 90°C | Yes | Yes | Maximum reduction |
The NHS and public health guidance recommends washing bedding at 60 degrees as the minimum for effective hygiene. Weekly washing at this temperature is the standard recommendation for maintaining clean sleeping conditions.
Can All Bedding Be Washed at 60 Degrees?
Cotton bedding generally tolerates 60 degree washes well. Many other fabrics do not. Before washing any bedding at 60 degrees, check the care label:
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Cotton and cotton-polyester blends: Most tolerate 60 degrees. Check the care label – a few high-thread-count or specially finished cottons may be rated lower. -
Microfibre, bamboo, and silk bedding: These fabrics are typically rated for lower temperatures – 30 to 40 degrees. Washing at 60 degrees can shrink, damage, or distort these materials. Check the label and use the maximum stated temperature. -
Duvet inners and pillows: These may require specific wash programmes and temperature limits. Check the label – many synthetic duvets and pillows can be washed at home but at lower temperatures. Natural fills (down, wool) have their own care requirements. -
If the care label says 40°C maximum: Washing at 60 degrees risks permanent damage. Use an alternative approach for bed bugs – such as tumble drying on a high heat setting, which can also kill bed bugs, or professional laundering.
The Downside of Always Washing at Low Temperatures
The widespread shift to 30 and 40 degree washes for energy efficiency has an unintended consequence: the machine itself can accumulate grease, detergent residue, and bacteria more quickly without the occasional high-temperature wash to clean the drum and internal components.
Running a 60 degree bedding wash weekly also acts as a partial maintenance wash for the machine – the higher temperature helps clear the internal build-up that low-temperature washing promotes. See our guide on washing machine smells and internal build-up for more on this.
For a full discussion of the trade-offs of low-temperature washing, see our guide on washing at 30 degrees – what you need to know.
Related Guides
Related Guides
Washing Machine Smells and MouldWhy low-temperature washing causes grease and mould build-up inside the machine – and how to prevent it.
Washing at 30 DegreesThe five things to know about low-temperature washing – energy saving, hygiene trade-offs, and machine maintenance.
White Bedding Going GreyWhy white cotton bedding turns grey over time and how to restore whiteness.
Washing Dog BeddingTemperature and programme guidance for washing pet bedding – similar hygiene considerations apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature kills bed bugs in the washing machine?
60 degrees is the minimum effective temperature for killing bed bugs and their eggs in a washing machine. Lower temperatures – including 40 degrees – do not reliably kill bed bugs. The NHS recommends washing bedding at 60 degrees at least once a week for effective hygiene. Always check the care label before washing at this temperature as some fabrics cannot tolerate it.
How often should bedding be washed?
Cotton bed sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases should be washed at least once a week at 60 degrees to control bed bugs, dust mites, and bacteria. More frequent washing may be appropriate in households where allergies, pets, or illness are a consideration.
What can I do if my bedding cannot be washed at 60 degrees?
For fabrics rated below 60 degrees, alternative options include tumble drying on a high heat setting (sustained heat of over 60 degrees in a tumble dryer for at least 30 minutes can also kill bed bugs), using a steam cleaner on the mattress and bedding surface, or having affected items professionally cleaned at a higher temperature. For severe bed bug infestations, professional pest control treatment of the room is the most effective approach.