Safe Way to Mount a Dryer

This is a niche question, but hopefully someone has some experience

i have a samsung front loaded washer and a front loaded dryer that i bought in different years

as such, they are not "matching" models

i know that samsung machines can be stacked and even sell brackets to do so

however im pretty certain that cross model compatible brackets dont exist and i am unsure if the dimensions even line up

Unfortunately my laundry only fits 1 machine, but has empty vertical space above it to fit a dryer. I have no clue how to stack or mount it safely.

i have seen some people online say they just buy some thick EVA panel to put ontop of the washer and stack the dryer ontop to absorb vibrations and noise but that sounds sketchy
i also dont trust myself to safely build a bracket to wall mount it and paying someone would not be worth the cost.

So just wondering how people normally have 2 machines if they arent side by side? or is there a safe way to stack them?

cheers

edit appreciate everyones quick replies! i think ill give the anti vibration pads a go first as that is the cheapest solution
my main concern was it falling but i feel more reassured now

if u see me scouring threads for a new dryer, youll know its fallen off and destroyed itself :D

Comments

  • +1

    You can get wall mounted brackets for different brands - ebay, bunnings

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/134121423583?chn=ps&norover=1&mk…

    • how secure are they? i think there are studs i can bolt these into, but can i trust a $20 piece of metal to hold a heavy dryer?

      • +1

        I've had no issues with mine.

        The risk is if you don't use the right screws/don't hit the studs - it would pull straight out of plasterboard of course.

  • +1

    Mine is stacked with nothing but gravity holding it in place. No issues so far.
    One is Bosch and the other is F&P.
    I used to have the dryer hanging from two ‘hooks’ that came with it screwed into the wall. It was fine like that for 5 years, but when we moved I didn’t have time to put the hooks in before I needed the dryer, so just used it resting on top of the washer, figuring I would get around to the hooks, but no need so far.

    • i guess dryers dont shake too much

      do you need something in between the two machines?

  • I have no clue how to stack or mount it safely.

    Get a handyman, the dryer bracket needs a backing plate screwed to solid studs behind the wall.

    • i did not know these things existed! will check them out

  • +2

    I have one of these for a heat pump dryer stacked on a front loader - https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/pacific-air-black-rubber-appl….

    No issues and neither the mat or dryer has moved since being installed over 2 years ago. Often both being used at the same time.

  • +2
  • +2

    If you don't want to just do a mat, there are also stands on ebay to put a dryer over a front loader (or even a top loader). Reasonably expensive IMO, but looks decent and can take it to your next house.

  • +3

    This is a niche question

    Not really.

    • +3

      haha based on the replies it appears im clearly not the only one dealing with adult problems they dont teach u in school

  • +2

    I was researching this a couple of years ago. From memory, the heat pump dryers are too heavy to be wall mounted and need to be stacked on the washer or on a frame. The hot air dryers are lighter and can mount on a wall. I think there was a universal adjustable stacking bracket somewhere on the internet, but I can't remember any details. Also the above suggested rubber mats were a possible solution according to some random online suggestions. I ended up keeping the old hot air dryer that came with the property. Still working, not much used anyway.
    From what I can gather when using the air dryer, the barrel doesn't spin nearly as fast as the washer, there hardly is any vibration and it doesn't look like it may fall off the top of the washer if placed on a rubber mat. If you don't have any young children that you like you could try rubber mat first as it's cheap. If it doesn't work, call a handyman.

  • -3

    mount it? try doggy style & keep a bit of distance

  • +1

    Stacking kit is just money making scam, if you have heat pump dryer that thing will be at least 30kg and it will not move at all, spinning speed is not high enough to cause any issue. Unless you forget to take the transport bolts off the bottom washer in which case even the stacking won't save you.

    • +1

      It's the vibration of the washer that could affect the dryer perched on top.

      • thats what i was worried about. wobbling the dryer ontop

        • Worst case the dryer gets dislodged by the vibration of the washer, kills a small person who happens to be nearby. No way I would not have some kind of stacking provision.

  • Get a bracket from Bunnings, and find a stud in the wall above and put multiple long screws into the stud.

  • You generally shouldn’t be mounting a dryer unless it’s a vented one. Heat pumps for example aren’t designed to be mounted.

    • stacked ontop of the washer should be fine then right

  • My old Meile dryer is just sitting on top of the washer. The way it moves I swear it'll fall off, it hasn't yet though.

  • Miele used to supply plastic fittings that screwed into your washer top and located the four dryer feet. Still available on Miele's USA site: WTV500
    I'm sure you could achieve the same outcome by fixing anti-vibration feet/pads to the washer top.

  • In my experience they are safe to stack. I put about 1cm thick rubber pads between the feet of the drier and the washing machine. The drier hasn't ever moved. And the washing machine vibrates much less with the weight of the drier on top.

  • +1

    What model is your dryer? Some are light enough to be wall-mounted, but heat pump and condensor models need to be stacked or floor-mounted. If it's a lightweight, you could simply stack on top and add a tether to prevent it falling forward. If it's heavy, fix it to the top of the washer with some type of hardware. You can get a universal kit

  • Use this mat in between the washer and dryer to absorb the vibration and keep it in place.

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/unilux-ulx108-rubber-appl…

    For added security, you can use a tie down strap from bunnings. The ones that tradies use to secure their stuff on utes. The below Amazon link is just to give you an idea. You can get this from Bunnings with better quality straps. You will need at least 5m.

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Xavax-00111896-Lashing-Ratchet-Lau…

    • great idea!

  • Bend it over and be gentle

  • +1

    You can walk mount exhaust dryers but generally you can't walk mount the condenser dryers (too heavy, and not designed to hang upside down).

  • I always hung the dryer upside down (so the controls are at the bottom) . Your dryer should have some slots on the back of the cabinet ( near the corners) which are designed to fit the bracket. As long as the bracket is securely secured to the wall studs etc you should have no problem with the dryer falling down. Good luck

  • Simple get a grippy mat and put the dryer on top. Most of the movement is from the washer and not the dryer. I’ve done this with various brands and it works fine and avoids the hassle of wall brackets etc.

  • Sorry if you're here looking for suggestions i think you might need to get someone to do it for you.

    • its more that i want to understand how people are managing this problem

      it seems there are products you can buy like mats and brackets

      my default was going to be just stack it, but uncertain about it toppling over since its so heavy. comments have reassured me that its safe and fine + normal thing to do without needing brackets

      • Not safe without brackets, but you do you.

        • is the bracket to mount onto the wall or just stabilise?

          confused why a bracket is needed if not wall mounting now

          • @furythree: Brackets stack the dryer to the washer to prevent unwelcome separation: Unilux ULX101 is widely available and offers an extensive compatible model list:
            https://shop.uniluxaccessories.com.au/part/washing-machines-…

            • @sumyungguy: oh i see what youre saying now

              thats what i was originally asking about. so theres a universal model

              so the people using the rubber mats are basically achieving the same result but just praying to jesus its enough to secure it using friction instead of mechanical support which this provides

              • @furythree: Affirmative. If you want to try friction (cheaper) I'd suggest 3M VMB double-sided tape. Mechanical fixings into your washer top will be superior.

                • @sumyungguy: appreciate your advice! this is exactly the info i was after!

                  cheers

              • -1

                @furythree: The problem with the universal bracket is that you need to drill a new hole in your washer. If you are someone who is not confident in doing DIY, it is best to avoid. And also you are not sure if the area to be drilled has any mechnical parts or electronic behind the metal skin. So it is also a risk.

                • @KaTst3R: yes i will give the matts a try first to determine stability and maybe get a non drilling bracket

                  i had a look at the unilux one and i dont think its compatible with my samsung. i might switch to something "supported by" a wall bracket latitudinally but with the weight bearing on the bottom washer still

  • Hey mate, sorry for reviving a dead thread. How did this go? What did you end up doing? I'm thinking of doing something similar.

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