If you are like me and have a front loader washer and dryer set, then you know how hard it is to reach in and grab clothes out. I am getting closer to the end of my pregnancy so I just cannot bend far enough over anymore to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer. I have resorted to depending on the children to switch them for me.
Now, when they sold us the set they tried to get us to buy the matching pedestal set for another $200.00 each! There was no way I wanted to spend that much more for them. When we got them home it did not take long to see why we might need them.
Well, being the frugal minded people that we are my dear, sweet husband decided to make our own. He was ready to build a platform with 2 pullout drawers. I had to remind him that the drawers would NEVER be used since I would not want to bend over that far. So, he built me just the platform.
We went to the habitat restore and got a large sheet of MDF for $1.00 and then we bought 1- 2x8x8 and 1- 2x8x10 for $10.00. We used paint that we already had, so the total cost to us was $11.00! Much better than the $400 it would have cost us.
Here are the before pics:
Here are some after pics:
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Frugal Friday- Build you own washer and dryer pedestal
We still had a few touch ups to do in the after pic, but you get the picture. It wasn't hard to do and it saves my back, all while saving me a bunch of money. Many home improvement projects can be done yourself for so much less. Make sure you check to see if your city has a Habit for Humanity restore. You can find all sorts of things to spruce up your home for pennies on the dollar.
For more frugal ideas, make sure to visit Biblical Womanhood for Frugal Friday's.
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8 comments:
Looks great! I'm glad he was able to get to them for you!
Me too! It is so much easier on me now.
That is a cool idea! I don't currently have a front load washer but I plan to buy one when our current one kicks the bucket. But I still would not mind having my dryer lifted! I think I will be asking my husband to tackle this one!
Great idea!
Came across your blog on Biblical Women hood and wanted to see these washer and dryer platforms. I usually have my kids put the washing in the dryer because it is hard for me to reach in. Anyhow, reading what supplies you used could you explain to me what MDF from the habitat store is? Thanks.
JR
Here for Frugal Friday!
He did a great job -- it looks tidy from what I can see of the picture. :) I have a handyman husband, too, so when we graduate from using the laundromat I'll have to ask him about this... Thanks also for the tip on Habitat stores -- I'd never heard of them.
JR,
MDF is a type of fiberboard. When you get a sheet it has to be at least an inch thick for this kind of project. It's pretty strong so it holds heavy things well.
As far as the habitat store, it is a store run by Habitat for Humanity. Habitat will take donations from people and sell it in their store. It is like a home improvement version of Goodwill. It helps fund their projects. They will sell these things for pennies on the dollar. We would have paid $30.00 for the sheet of MDF at Home Depot, instead of the dollar we paid.
You can also find more than just lumber there. Hope this helps!
Habitat for Humanity is a goldmine! Here's the link for those of ya'll interested. http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx
Holy cow!!! That looks great! My GF and I just bought a house and are planning to buy a W/D. I am going to try this. We have a Habitat store about a mile away. Thanks for the tip!
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