Whitegoods Help article

Tumble dryer stacking kits

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Quick Answer

A stacking kit (also called a stacking frame) is required to safely mount a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine. Without one, the dryer can vibrate off during spin or topple if the door is pulled. Manufacturer-specific kits give the best fit where both appliances are the same brand. Universal kits are available for mixed-brand combinations and are typically less expensive.

Why a Stacking Kit Is Necessary

Placing a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine without a stacking kit is a safety risk. Two distinct hazards exist:

❌ Risk 1: Vibration during spin

During a high-speed spin cycle, a washing machine generates significant vibration. An unsecured tumble dryer sitting on top can be thrown clear during a particularly imbalanced load, falling onto anyone or anything nearby. The heavier and taller the dryer, the more serious the potential fall.

❌ Risk 2: Door pull-over

If someone pulls down on an open tumble dryer door – either intentionally or by stumbling – an unsecured machine can topple forward and fall on them. This risk is greatest for children who may use the door as a handle. A stacking kit anchors the dryer to the washing machine and prevents this.

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Do not stack without a kit

Stacking a tumble dryer on a washing machine without a proper stacking kit is unsafe. The dryer must be secured to the washing machine using a kit designed for the purpose.

Manufacturer Kits vs Universal Kits

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Manufacturer-specific stacking kits

Where the washing machine and tumble dryer are the same brand, the manufacturer may produce a stacking kit designed specifically for that combination. This gives the best and most secure fit, as the kit is engineered to the exact dimensions and chassis of both machines. It is the preferred option when available. Check with the manufacturer using both appliance model numbers before purchasing.

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Universal stacking kits

Universal kits claim to connect any front-loading tumble dryer to any front-loading washing machine. These are the appropriate option when the two appliances are different brands, or when the manufacturer’s own kit is unavailable or prohibitively expensive. The fit may not be as precise as a manufacturer kit, but a universal kit sold as fitting specific size ranges should provide a secure and safe installation. Check the dimensions quoted by the manufacturer carefully against the actual appliance sizes before ordering.

Check the appliance dimensions before ordering any kit

Stacking kits are designed around specific appliance widths and depths. Even machines from the same manufacturer can have different chassis dimensions between model ranges. Always verify the dimensions of both appliances against the kit specifications before purchasing – do not assume compatibility based on brand alone.

Where to Buy a Stacking Kit

Stacking kits are available from appliance retailers, manufacturer websites, and spare parts specialists. A wide range of manufacturer-specific and universal kits is available at Spares4Appliances – search by appliance brand and model number for the best match.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can you stack a tumble dryer on a washing machine without a kit?

No – this is unsafe. Without a stacking kit, the dryer can be thrown off during a high-speed spin cycle, and can topple if the door is pulled. A stacking kit anchors the dryer to the washing machine and prevents both hazards. Always use a kit designed for the purpose.

Do I need a specific stacking kit for my brand, or will a universal one work?

If both appliances are the same brand, a manufacturer-specific kit is the preferred option as it is engineered for the exact chassis dimensions. If the appliances are different brands, or a manufacturer kit is unavailable, a universal kit is appropriate. Check that the universal kit’s quoted appliance dimensions match the actual sizes of both machines before ordering.

Can any tumble dryer be stacked on any washing machine?

In principle, any front-loading tumble dryer can be stacked on any front-loading washing machine using a suitable universal stacking kit, provided the dimensions are compatible. Top-loading washing machines cannot have a tumble dryer stacked on top as the loading lid must remain accessible. Always check the stacking kit specifications against the appliance dimensions before purchasing.

Last reviewed: April 2026.

Discussion

95 Comments

Grouped into 82 comment threads.

Mike Johnson 3 replies Hi there, Fantastic website! Can you help me identify a washing machine stacking kit that would be suitable for a John Lewis washing machine and tumble dryer. The fronts of both machines are slightly rounded and every kit I have looked at says they may not be suitable. Cheers, Mike.

Hi there,

Fantastic website! Can you help me identify a washing machine stacking kit that would be suitable for a John Lewis washing machine and tumble dryer. The fronts of both machines are slightly rounded and every kit I have looked at says they may not be suitable.

Cheers,
Mike.

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Mike Johnson

Thanks Mike. If they are both John Lewis brand machines I would expect John Lewis should be able to get one for you. Few places actually stock the kits.

Chitra

Likely replying to Washerhelp

Hello Washerhelp,

This is a fantastic website. A question on stacking washer dryer. My washer is a 7kg beko model (width-60cms; depth- 54cms) while my condenser tumble dryer is 8kg hotpoint(width-59.5cms; depth-58.4cms). Is there a stacking possibility. If so what is the stacking kit that I should use?

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Chitra

Thanks Chitra. I’m unable to track down specific stacking kits but if the dryer is deeper than the washer as yours appears to be I can’t imagine one being available.

Ray 2 replies Great review about why you need a stacking kit but is it entirely correct? Sure the kit is required to prevent the drier bouncing off the washing machine but I have not seen a kit which will lock the drier onto the top of the washing machine to prevent it being pulled down on top of you. No universal stacking kit I have seen does this. All they do is stop the drier sliding off the top of the washing machine. I have also not seen a propriety stacking kit which does this. Again most seem to only stop the drier bouncing off the washing machine. To lock the two machines together to prevent the drier tipping off will mean making a fixed connection to both. Which means manufacturer should have built into their appliance a means to do this easily. If you know of a kit out there which locks the two appliances together please post a link.

Great review about why you need a stacking kit but is it entirely correct? Sure the kit is required to prevent the drier bouncing off the washing machine but I have not seen a kit which will lock the drier onto the top of the washing machine to prevent it being pulled down on top of you.

No universal stacking kit I have seen does this. All they do is stop the drier sliding off the top of the washing machine.
I have also not seen a propriety stacking kit which does this. Again most seem to only stop the drier bouncing off the washing machine. To lock the two machines together to prevent the drier tipping off will mean making a fixed connection to both. Which means manufacturer should have built into their appliance a means to do this easily.
If you know of a kit out there which locks the two appliances together please post a link.

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Ray

Hello Ray: As far as I know it should be much harder or even very hard or impossible to pull over a dryer by the door that was slotted into a stacking kit. However, I can’t guarantee that, I expect they vary in quality and even the depth of how far the dryer slots into the kit.

In the past, all stacking kits secured the dryer to the washing machine. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the stacking kits are very poor these days and may simply rely on the dryer being held in place with short sides on the stacking frame. I would suggest anyone concerned about the possibility of someone pulling the dryer onto themselves should do some careful tests themselves once the dryer and stacking kit is installed.

Logically though, if a dryer slots into a frame with sides, and the frame is slotted securely on top of the washing machine then pulling on the open dryer door should create leverage that should be resisted by the frame unless the frames’ sides are very shallow.

Gordon

Likely replying to Washerhelp

Washerhelp, after reading your reviews about stacking appliances on top of one another I take it that putting a small freezer on top of a dishwasher would not be a problem.

Lee 1 reply Can you have a washing machine on a stand and then a dryer on top of the washing machine with a stacker kit?

Can you have a washing machine on a stand and then a dryer on top of the washing machine with a stacker kit?

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Lee

Hello Lee. If the stand is perfectly secure and not too high I can’t see any issue.

Yvonne McRobb 1 reply want to buy LG washmachine 11kg is there a compatable LG dryer to acc this appliance

want to buy LG washmachine 11kg is there a compatable LG dryer to acc this appliance

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Yvonne McRobb

Yvonne, you need to ask at the shops selling them, maybe check out the LG brochures or web site.

Allison 1 reply My fiance and I stacked the dryer on top of the washer in our townhouse's small laundry room. We used non-slip pads on the feet of the dryer and it seems to be working fine. Should I go get a kit??

My fiance and I stacked the dryer on top of the washer in our townhouse’s small laundry room. We used non-slip pads on the feet of the dryer and it seems to be working fine. Should I go get a kit??

Washerhelp

Likely replying to Allison

Hello Allison: The pros & cons of not using a proper stacking kit are in my article under the heading “Why do you need a stacking kit?”

Washerhelp 1 reply Dava: If the washer and dryer are from different model ranges there might not be a dedicated kit available. If both are 600mm you may find a suitable one here Find universal tumble dryer stacking kits Other than that I would contact Hoover and ask them.

Dava: If the washer and dryer are from different model ranges there might not be a dedicated kit available. If both are 600mm you may find a suitable one here Find universal tumble dryer stacking kits Other than that I would contact Hoover and ask them.

Dava

Likely replying to Washerhelp

Dear Washerhelp,
Thank you very much for your prompt response.Our washing machine looks bit thinner than dryer but both are same in wide.
We wiil very appreciate if you find a specific staking kit from Hoover for us…
Thank you again….

Washerhelp 1 reply Laura: Your question has come up several times before and it's not a good idea to put a dishwasher on top of a washing machines. Kim: I can't think of any reason why you couldn't stack two dryers on top of each other. The top dryer would need to be secured to prevent it falling off or being pulled off via leverage on the open door. I would suggest identical dryers. The stacking kit for a matching washer and tumble dryer should fit on a dryer instead of a washer at the bottom as they tend to have the same size shell. I can't guarantee it would work of course. I would visit a show room and look at a washer and matching dryer to see if they are the same size on the lid. There is more variance now with washing machines having various drum sizes but I would suspect a 6Kg drum washing machine might have the same shell and lid as a normal matching dryer.

Laura: Your question has come up several times before and it’s not a good idea to put a dishwasher on top of a washing machines.

Kim: I can’t think of any reason why you couldn’t stack two dryers on top of each other. The top dryer would need to be secured to prevent it falling off or being pulled off via leverage on the open door. I would suggest identical dryers. The stacking kit for a matching washer and tumble dryer should fit on a dryer instead of a washer at the bottom as they tend to have the same size shell. I can’t guarantee it would work of course.

I would visit a show room and look at a washer and matching dryer to see if they are the same size on the lid. There is more variance now with washing machines having various drum sizes but I would suspect a 6Kg drum washing machine might have the same shell and lid as a normal matching dryer.

Dava

Likely replying to Washerhelp

Dear Washerhelp,
We have just bought a new condenser tumble dryer (with indication of stackable option) and a washing machine (no indication of stacking option). Due to lack of space, we would like to stack them one on one. It seems dryer should be stacked on the washer. But we don’t know how to stack them. And we would like to ask you what kind of stacking kit we need to make it. The condenser tumble dryer is Hoover VHC 681B and the washing machine is Hoover WMH148. Thank you so much…

ANNE 1 reply The advice at #47 is brilliant. Not only do White Knight have a wall-mounted option for a tumble-dryer, they also supply an "upside down" tumble-dryer: great solution.

The advice at #47 is brilliant. Not only do White Knight have a wall-mounted option for a tumble-dryer, they also supply an “upside down” tumble-dryer: great solution.

Washerhelp

Likely replying to ANNE

Thanks Anne. I thought someone had put the photos upside down at first they look so strange, but they do actually make a couple of upside down tumble dryers, which if mounting on a wall could make it easier to use. They are only 3Kg capacity though.

Washerhelp 1 reply That's a new one Tony: Not heard of that problem. They used to be commonly secured by a bracket which would be obvious if present. If nothing's obviously holding them together could they just rely on the depth of the stacking frame fitting over the washer and the dryer dropping into it? Could they be just very tight fits?

That’s a new one Tony: Not heard of that problem. They used to be commonly secured by a bracket which would be obvious if present. If nothing’s obviously holding them together could they just rely on the depth of the stacking frame fitting over the washer and the dryer dropping into it? Could they be just very tight fits?

T

Likely replying to Washerhelp

Hello Washerhelp,
we just moved into a new house and the washingmachine is lower than the drain level. The previous owner had the washing machine lifted, but the drain pipe is still a good 30cm above the washing machine top. In addition the existing base is quite wobbly.
My options I think are:
a) rebuild a better base (e.g. out of brick).
b) leave the washing machine on the floor. how high does the washing machine pump the water?
c) put a washing machine above a potential dryer. Would this work? how would I lift the washing machine that high?

Thanks
T

Washerhelp 1 reply Nosnik: I would have thought that if the tumble dryer is perfectly stable it should be okay on top of the dishwasher. Dishwashers do not move whilst in operation unlike washing machines where it is essential to have the dryer fixed to the washing machine. However there is one potential danger which you should be aware of, which is that if the dryer is not secured then anyone opening the dryer door could potentially pull the tumble dryer on top of them if they put any leverage on the opened door. Clearly this is of more concern where they are children around. It is hard to imagine anyone actually doing it but it is never the less a warning I must pass on. In the news today a small child has been killed after pulling an unsecured television onto themselves, which reminds us that unexpected tragic accidents do still happen. Of course a child as small as this is unlikely to be able to reach the open door of the dryer on top of the dishwasher but it's up to you to assess the situation. Apart from this theoretical possibility I can't think of any other problem.

Nosnik: I would have thought that if the tumble dryer is perfectly stable it should be okay on top of the dishwasher. Dishwashers do not move whilst in operation unlike washing machines where it is essential to have the dryer fixed to the washing machine.

However there is one potential danger which you should be aware of, which is that if the dryer is not secured then anyone opening the dryer door could potentially pull the tumble dryer on top of them if they put any leverage on the opened door. Clearly this is of more concern where they are children around. It is hard to imagine anyone actually doing it but it is never the less a warning I must pass on.

In the news today a small child has been killed after pulling an unsecured television onto themselves, which reminds us that unexpected tragic accidents do still happen. Of course a child as small as this is unlikely to be able to reach the open door of the dryer on top of the dishwasher but it’s up to you to assess the situation. Apart from this theoretical possibility I can’t think of any other problem.

Sebastian Xavier

Likely replying to Washerhelp

Dear Washerhelp,
With regard to the discussion on stacking a dishwasher over a washing machine, can you please advise a bit more on the assembly part :
– do we definitely have to use a stacking kit?
– Is simply putting one on top of the other, out of the question?
– There is a 4 inch gap between the walls and the appliance (a nice washing-machine space with water in/outlets has been provided). Can I use reverse clamps (between the wall and appliance) on two sides to hold the appliance tightly in place?
– what about placing the washing machine on top of the dishwasher?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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