Not all of us have the luxury of a laundry room; sometimes we are forced to keep our washing machine outside, and sometimes even inside the bathroom. Is this safe for the washer? Also, is it even legal to do so?
In the Philippines, it is legal to put a washing machine (or any time of appliance for that matter) in the bathroom as long as the outlets are a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) type outlet.
However, some manufacturers put a clause in their operation manuals that a washing machine should not be installed in a damp place (i.e. the bathroom). Doing so will void your warranty.
In this article, we will discuss the implications of putting your washing machine in the bathroom, and the best way to go about it.
Is it safe to put a washing machine in the bathroom?
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, so you must exercise caution when putting a washer and dryer in the bathroom.
If you protect the plug and the socket from splashes of water, putting your washing machine in the bathroom is generally safe.
In the Philippines, the outlets in the bathroom must be a GFCI outlet for them to be compliant with the electrical code.
A GFCI has an internal circuit breaker that shuts off the power to the outlet when it detects any disturbance in the flow of electricity. This prevents electrical shocks from occurring.
Important: please do not use an extension cord for your washing machine as it can be a fire hazard. Plus, accidentally splashing water on the extension cord can short it.
Will your warranty be voided?
Manufacturers differ in their policies regarding the place of installation of your washing machine.
Some manufacturers put a clause in their operation manuals that a washing machine should not be installed in an “area with moisture” as an electric shock or fire will take place.
An “area with moisture” includes the bathroom, and hence why putting your washing machine in there can void your warranty.
However, some manufacturers DO NOT put this clause in their operation manuals which can be interpreted as a tacit go-ahead.
Also, the policies may differ from model to model, so you should consult with a sales representative first, or read the user manual of your target model which may be available online.
Dealing with bathroom humidity
Even if you protect your washing machine from splashes of water, the humidity inside the bathroom can corrode it over time.
If your bathroom does not have good ventilation to begin with, then you shouldn’t put your washing machine in there.
To control the humidity level in your bathroom, you should open the door when not in use to let the room breathe. A small window and exhaust fan will also help.
Can you use the bathroom faucet as a water supply for your washing machine?
Yes, you can use the bathroom faucet to connect to your washer, provided that the faucet has a threaded spout.
However, the inlet hose may not be compatible with the type of faucet that you have in your bathroom sink. You should find the appropriate thread connector so that you can use it for your washing machine.
Where should you drain the wash water in?
While you can certainly drain the water down the shower drain, you can also use the following ways if your washing machine’s drain hose does not reach the shower drain:
- Hooked over the edge of the sink (some models have a plastic guide that comes along with the model for this purpose)
- If your sink has a drain pipe branch, you can install it there.
- You can hook it up to a drain standpipe if your bathroom has one installed.
Conclusion
While yes, you can install your washing machine inside your bathroom, you should always consult with the manufacturer whether your unit will still be covered under warranty if issues show up.
You should also exercise caution on your own; Do not splash water on the washer and the outlet, and always keep your unit properly maintained.
Miguel Mores worked for 5 years as a member of the product management team for a home appliance company in the Philippines. He started 101appliance to answer the most common customer questions that he has encountered during his time in the industry. He now works in the digital marketing field and manages a small online bookstore on the side.
