Easy Laundry Day

Doing laundry can be difficult for wheelchair users, but there are ways to make this chore easier.

December’s Around the House article explored the idea of relocating the laundry room near the bedroom. New laundry rooms function most efficiently for life-span living when they’re centrally located where the majority of laundry is generated.

Prioritize the location of the laundry/hobby area nearest the master suite so it still functions well when the other bedrooms are not occupied.

Relocating the laundry room may be the most affordable and safest option. The kitchen can be a good place to look for a new laundry area or room.

A closet near existing water pipes may also be an option for placing the washer and dryer.

A unit that includes the washing and drying functions in one avoids the clothes transfer process and saves space. It’s generally raised on a platform with a front-load side-swinging door, front controls and quiet operation.

A stacked washer/dryer unit may also save space, but make sure the controls are located at the center and in the front, and both doors are in front and side-swinging so they are usable by everyone.

A 30-inch by 48-inch space needs to be in front of all of the laundering functions, and these areas may overlap. If the doors are stuck open into that area, it’ll be difficult for a seated user to reach in and retrieve clothing.

Also make sure there is adequate turning space within the laundry area.

A pull-down/pop-up clothing rod product above the dryer is a great touch. Throw a towel on top of the dryer, pull down the rod, hang drip-dry shirts, etc., on the rod and let them drip dry onto the dryer top.

Unless the washer and dryer are fully concealed below the countertop, it may be difficult to reach a cabinet above the units, especially if they are on raised platforms. Use that wall space for the hanging rods.

For more info visit universaldesignonline.com. 

 

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