LAUNDRY ROOMS DESIGNED FOR AGING IN PLACE

Doing laundry can be a burden, but even more so as you age and encounter physical limitations. You may prefer to do your own laundry, regardless of your abilities. Your laundry room may currently lack amenities and have limited available space. This section discusses key features for the laundry room.

Location

Your laundry room should be on the main floor of the home for easier access. Make sure not to have obstacles to navigate in order to reach the room, and minimize the distance you have to travel when carrying your load of clothes to and from the room. If the laundry room is in the basement or otherwise not on the main floor, I recommend remodeling to create a new laundry space on the main floor by converting an existing room into a laundry room. If you cannot create a main floor facility, consider installing a dumb waiter, a stair lift, or an elevator.

Room Layout

Your aging in place remodeling should include modifying rooms to make them more usable, easier-to-access, and safer. Make sure things will be within easy reach. Locate cabinets and countertops close to appliances for easy transfers of dirty, washed, and dried clothes. Align the washer and drier to allow easier transfer of wet clothes between them, but not so close that you do not have enough room to maneuver. Keep in mind that at some point you might have to use this room with a walker or wheelchair; ample open space is needed within the room and in the doorway.

Appliances

Some people prefer a front-loading washer and dryer to create an accessible laundry room. Others prefer a top-loading washer and front-loading dryer. Front loaders generally require less movement to load and unload, and they may not be as hard on your back. They are much easier to use if you are in a wheelchair. Installing a pedestal under your washer and dryer will reduce back strain. Placement is key. Having the machines side-by-side or directly across from each other is optimal.

Controls should be easy to read and use. For appliances with backlit or computer displays, make sure they are bright and have large letter and number displays. For appliances without computer displays, get ones with large knobs or buttons. You can add colored stickers or other markings on the settings to help overcome eyesight or memory problems.

Cabinets, Counters, Shelves, Hooks, and Hanging Bars

Having functional and accessible counters and cabinets in your laundry room is essential. You need counters for folding and sorting, as well as to hold baskets and laundry bags. Installing countertops at varying heights or having adjustable height countertops will help if you need to sit down while working or are in a wheelchair. Shelves or countertops that fold down next to the dryer are handy and can be collapsed to provide more space when not in use.

Carefully plan your drawers and cabinets so heavier items like detergent and cleaners can be easily reached from where you will need them. Use containers that are easy to hold and use, and clearly label them.

You also need hooks and hanger bars at proper heights and with clearance to allow clothes to hang below them without touching the floor. You may want to consider a rolling clothes rack similar to those used at hotels, so you can hang clothes while working in the laundry room, then roll them to other rooms to be put away.

Miscellaneous

Install an ironing board that folds down from the wall and can be adjusted to the proper height. Traditional ironing boards can be difficult to set up and take down and could potentially be useless to you if your physical capabilities become diminished.

A small cart or rolling table at the right height could help you in moving clothing to a folding area. A rolling hamper will likewise make it even easier for you to get clothes to the laundry room.

Below is a sampling of laundry room products and equipment that are designed to help you age in place for a longer period of time. Click on the links to find out more information, see other products selections, and if you like, to make a purchase from one of our providers.

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Cambridge Assembled Lazy Susan Corner Base Cabinet in Dusk 27.6×27.6×34.5 in.

$285.00
  • Get started sooner with online orders shipping in 3 days
  • Cambridge Dusk finish adds a coziness and warmth to any room
  • Can be featured in your kitchen, laundry room or bathroom

Household Essentials Floor Standing Wall Mount Wheelchair Accessible Ironing Board in White with One Piece Natural Cover

$299.00
  • High baseboard cutout accommodates 5.5-inch baseboards
  • 5.375 inches high, 48.5 inches wide, and 18.5 inches deep
  • Multiple height-adjust settings and wheelchair accessible

Iron-A-Way Deluxe Electric Ironing Center

$425.98
  • 42 in. ventilated metal ironing board, allows steam to pass through for an evenly heated surface, providing ease in ironing
  • Single telescoping legs support the ironing board from the underside, providing outstanding stability and feature a heavy duty undercarriage and brackets custom designed to give you rigid support while ironing
  • Unfinished maple veneer door is ready to be painted or stained to match existing decor
  • Electrical raceway allows you to plug your iron directly into the unit with an outlet powered by a 60 minutes timer and accompanied by a spotlight and a safety disconnect switch that cuts the power to the unit when the board is in an upright position

Sunbeam Black Mesh Sorter

$43.46
  • Have all your clothes prepared before they hit the washing machine with this mesh triple laundry sorter.
  • Organize your garments into different categories of colors and fabrics, to save you time when loading the machine while also preventing the possibility of mixing delic

Trinity EcoStorage Wheeled 3-Bag Bamboo Laundry Station in Bronze

$82.66
  • Great way to stash dirty clothes out of sight
  • Pre-shrunk cotton bags are machine-washable
  • Bags simply lift out for easy transport to washing machine

Whirlpool 5.0 cu. ft. Front Load Washing Machine High Efficiency Chrome Shadow with Load & Go XL Dispenser, ENERGY STAR

$947.70
  • Skip adding detergent to every load with LOAD & GO XL dispenser
  • Largest capacity WHIRLPOOL front load washer at 5.0 cu. ft.
  • Create customized cycles in a few touches with Intuitive Controls

Whirlpool 7.4 cu. ft. Stackable Electric Dryer 240-Volt Chrome Shadow with Steam and Intuitive Touch Controls, ENERGY STAR

$947.70
  • Get room to handle large loads with 7.4 cu. ft. capacity
  • Create customized cycles in a few touches with Intuitive Controls
  • Help keep wrinkles from setting by tumbling with steam