Apartment Washer Options

Portable Washing Machine

A portable machine is smaller than a stationary machine, generally ranging from 1.6 to 2.6 cubic feet in capacity, though ultra-compact 1.0 cubic foot models and larger 3.0 cubic feet models can also be found. To understand the capacity, a 1.5 cubic feet machine will roughly hold two pajama tops, one pajama bottom, two sweatshirts, one pair of jeans, two shirts, and one dress.

All portables are top-load machines. Portable washers have rollers, casters, or other means of moving the unit around inside the apartment. Special connectors allow you to attach the washer's supply line directly to a sink faucet, much the way portable dishwashers work.

You must hook up the machine each time you want to use it. Many owners keep the quick connector attached to the faucet at all times. But during use, the washing machine hose does need to be attached to the connector, and the discharge hose needs to be expelling water into the bathtub or sink. This renders both the sink and tub unusable for that period.

Combination Washer and Dryer

If you're interested in true minimalism and efficiency, a combination washer and dryer might be right for your apartment. Efficiency is literally built into this machine: Clothes that have been washed remain in the machine and seamlessly pass to the drying cycle. These machines also do have wash-only and a dry-only option.

Saving space is the main benefit of combination washer/dryer machines since you have only one machine, not two. With many combo units, you'll still need the same hookups as with standard washers and dryers, though: power, hot and cold water, and a 4-inch drying vent. Some combo units have a no-vent dryer option. This allows the machine to be located anywhere, with no need to vent the dryer to the exterior.