Does A Laundry Room Need A Sink?
Laundry rooms are for much more than simply washing clothes. You can use your utility room to store home and cleaning supplies, perform minor repairs, and accomplish other household tasks. A sink increases the functionality of the space, but does a laundry room need a sink?
You don’t have to have a sink in your laundry room, but it can add many benefits if you have the space. A laundry room sink makes it easier to presoak items before washing them and for treating stains. It’s also ideal for things like rinsing out paint brushes, hand washing delicates, or giving your small dog a bath.
If your laundry room doesn’t already have a sink, you don’t have to rush out and add one. But, if you have the space for one (in the room and your budget), it can add functionality and convenience.
Is A Sink Necessary In A Laundry Room?
A sink in your laundry room is undoubtedly nice to have, but it isn’t a necessity. As long as you have water hook-ups for your washing machine, you’re good to go. There’s no need for you to add any plumbing for a sink.
In some cases, you might need more space for a sink. Or perhaps you only have a small laundry closet, just large enough for a stackable washer and dryer. You won’t find a sink in these situations, and that’s okay.
You’ll always have your kitchen or bathroom sink or bathtub to carry out tasks like soaking clothes or washing your dog. If you don’t want to use these spaces, you can use a large bucket or bin instead. It’s not the most convenient option, but it’s doable.
But, if you have the luxury of a full laundry room, consider adding a sink. Doing so can open up lots more possibilities of what you can accomplish in your laundry room.
Does A Sink In A Laundry Room Add Value?
If you already have a laundry room, adding a sink might not necessarily increase your home’s value. However, it will increase the appeal of the space to potential buyers.
But if your laundry room is small or outdated, updating the space and adding a sink could add value to your home. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 87% of homebuyers want a laundry room.
How Much Does It Cost To Add A Sink To A Laundry Room?
On average, you can expect to pay between $500 and $900 for a utility sink, labor, and installation. Of course, the price varies depending on your current plumbing setup, space, and laundry room sink size.
Overall, adding a sink to the laundry room can prove extremely useful. Therefore, making this minor investment can pay off big time in terms of convenience and functionality.
10 Reasons Why You Need A Sink In The Laundry Room
You don’t have to install a sink in your laundry room, but it’s still a good idea. Adding a sink to your laundry area can provide many benefits that make your life easier.
1. You Can Presoak Clothes Without Taking Up Other Sinks
Often, you need to soak items before washing them. Perhaps you need to get rid of heavy stains or odors. A laundry sink means you don’t have to take up valuable space elsewhere.
Plus, do you really want to soak your underwear in your bathroom sink? After all, it’s the same place you brush your teeth. Not to mention it can be a pain if you go to wash your hands and forget you have your undies soaking. (Or if you have unexpected guests drop in.)
2. Laundry Sinks Make Clean-Up Easier After Home Projects
A utility sink is a go-to place for washing up after various DIY projects. Think about it. You have grease on your hands from fixing a small motor or paint brushes from recent touch-ups.
Do you want all of that stuff getting over your fancy kitchen sink? There’s something icky about rinsing these items in the same place we wash our dishes and clean our produce. With a laundry sink, you can take care of all these messes in an area that makes sense.
3. You Can Bathe Small Pets In Your Utility Sink
Are you tired of bathing your pet in your tub? Sure, lots of people adore their pets. But you might not like the idea of soaking in a relaxing bubble bath after you just bathed mud-covered Fido.
Of course, you won’t be washing your Labrador or Great Dane in a laundry room sink anytime soon. However, a utility sink makes the perfect place to give small pets a bath.
Add a sprayer attachment to the faucet, and it’s even more convenient. And it’s a lot easier on your back, too, since you don’t have to bend over or kneel by a tub.
4. It’s Easy To Hand Wash Delicates In A Laundry Sink
Even if your washing machine has a delicate cycle, some garments fare better with old-fashioned hand washing. A laundry sink makes this a breeze. You can wash your items, then hang them up to dry, all in one place.
5. Water Your Plants In Your Utility Sink
Do you love to keep fresh plants and flowers in your house? If so, a laundry sink makes a perfect spot for tending to your greenery. The ability to water your plants directly from the tap is super convenient.
But smaller kitchen and bathroom sinks don’t always make this possible. Since laundry sinks are typically larger and deeper, they’re ideal for fitting your potted plants. Water plants in the sink, and you can let them sit in it as the dirty water drains.
6. A Laundry Sink Provides Another Sorting Station
Okay, so this might not be a typical use for a laundry sink. But aren’t you tired of having all those piles of laundry on the floor? When you’re sorting your lights and darks, toss a load into the sink to wait until it’s their turn for the washer.
7. It’s A Safer Place To Mix Household Cleaners
Using things like vinegar or bleach to treat clothing or make household cleaners is best done in a laundry sink. It gives you more space to do so appropriately and safely.
First, mixing these cleaners is a no-no because it produces toxic gasses. The more space you have to work, the better. Plus, you can avoid cross-contamination with your dishes, toothbrushes, etc.
8. It’s Great For Washing Oversized Items
Washing oversized pots and pans, buckets, and other large items can be challenging in a standard kitchen sink. They don’t fit well, and water splashes up on your face and all over the counter.
And they take up all the space in your drying rack. A laundry sink often makes washing these items easier since it’s deeper.
You’ll avoid splashback and won’t have to deal with a mess. Then you can leave the items in the sink to dry without taking up your kitchen sink area or countertops.
9. No More Muddy Boots And Shoes
Maybe you have a designated mud room in your home to catch everyone’s muddy boots and wet raincoats. But if not, where does all of this dirty stuff go?
Your bathtub? Your kitchen? The floor? A laundry sink gives everyone a place to put their dirty shoes and other items for a quick and easy rinse. Then simply leave them in the sink to dry.
10. A Laundry Room Sink Can Prolong Your Washing Machine’s Lifespan
A washing machine can last anywhere from 7 to 14 years. Even though high-quality machines can handle tough jobs, the less gunk and funk you put into the machine, the better.
If you have a laundry room sink, you can pre-rinse items, getting rid of heavy mud and dirt before tossing them into the washer. You can also use the sink as a staging area to get pet hair, loose threads, and other items off your laundry. (Make sure to use a hair catcher over your sink drain so you don’t end up with clogs.)
These steps can help ensure your washing machine lasts as long as possible and stays in tip-top shape.
Should You Add A Sink To Your Laundry Room?
Adding a sink to your laundry room might not be a necessity, but it can make things a lot easier. It’s the ideal place for pre-rinsing items before you wash them or soaking out stains. A laundry sink also makes it easier to rinse off muddy boots, wash large items, and even bathe small pets.
If you have a utility sink, you can avoid using your kitchen and bathroom sinks for things like washing paint brushes or mixing chemicals. A sink adds a lot of appeal to your laundry room, and you can add one for about $500 to $900. Considering that a sink can potentially help prolong your washing machine’s lifespan, this can be a worthwhile investment.
If anything, a sink in your laundry room can make your household tasks and chores more manageable. That alone makes it especially appealing.
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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