Fixes
How to stop things falling behind your washer and dryer
Socks, dryer sheets and the cap of the detergent bottle: everything eventually slips into the gaps around your machines. A few simple changes stop most of it.
Why things fall
- The gap between the machines. Most side-by-side pairs have a few inches between them, just wide enough for a sock.
- The gap at the back. Machines stand away from the wall to leave room for hoses, power cords and the dryer vent.
- Vibration. A spin cycle slowly walks bottles and boxes toward the edges.
- Slippery tops. Smooth enamel tops give nothing for a bottle to grip.
1. Bridge the gap between the machines
A countertop across both machines turns two tops and a gap into one continuous surface, so there is nothing for small items to slip through in the middle. It also gives you a proper place to fold and sort.
2. Put something grippy under your bottles
A non-slip mat under bottles and baskets stops the slow vibration creep. You can trim one mat into smaller pieces, one under each item.
3. Level the machines
An unlevel washer shakes more, and everything on top moves more. Check both machines with a level and adjust the feet. It is quick, and it also makes the washer quieter.
4. Keep the back edge clear
Don't push the machines against the wall to close the back gap. The hoses and the dryer vent need that room, and a squashed dryer vent is a fire risk. Instead, keep items away from the back edge, store them in a basket, or use a low backstop on the counter.
5. Store less on top
Move backups and rarely used products to a shelf. What stays on the counter should be what you use every load, in one or two baskets rather than loose.
Getting things back out safely
- Unplug the machine before reaching behind or underneath it.
- Try a long grabber tool or a yardstick before moving anything.
- If you need to pull a machine out, do it slowly and watch the water hoses and the dryer vent so nothing kinks or disconnects.
- While you are back there, check the dryer vent for lint buildup.