Should You Really Put Your Washing Machines In An IKEA PAX Wardrobe?

The internet is no stranger to a good IKEA hack. One that seems to be taking the cyber world by storm is using the IKEA PAX wardrobe in the laundry room. People are using the closet system to stack their washers and dryers as well as store all the necessary items like detergent and laundry baskets. However, IKEA furniture is also known for being a bit flimsy. So, many people's first question when they see the hack is if the IKEA system can really stand up to the weight of a washer or dryer. The short answer is that the PAX system can, but not without some modification.

The PAX system is a series of wardrobes that come in a variety of configurations to create a custom closet. The wardrobe frame, $160 from IKEA, is often used for this hack and is made from particleboard and fiberboard with a honeycomb paper filling. The average washer and dryer weigh about 170 pounds and 124 pounds, respectively. It's quite obvious that, on its own, the PAX system would not be able to support the weight of these machines.

Emma Hill, a YouTuber who completed a PAX transformation, mentions the weight concern in her video. "The wardrobe on its own is by no means strong and sturdy enough to house a washer and dryer," Hill comments. "[W]e had to create a sturdy base and framework to strengthen the PAX." So, with a little reinforcement, the PAX system could hold a washer and dryer.

While the IKEA PAX is meant to be a custom wardrobe solution for your closet, DIYers are finding ways to hack the PAX and use it to store their stacked washers and dryers. For this project, you have to reinforce the wardrobe frame using solid wood to support the weight of a washer and dryer. The key is creating a solid structure and securing it to the surrounding walls. 

Build a wood platform for the base by screwing four pieces of framing wood evenly spaced on two 2-by-6-inch boards. Screw the frame into the back and side walls, then screw a flat piece of wood on top of the framing. Slide the PAX wardrobe into place, and screw the sides and back of the PAX to the wall. The reinforced base will help support the weight of the washer and dryer. 

Securing the PAX on at least two sides will help stabilize the cabinet and prevent it from shaking too much while the units are running. Hill and her husband built a dog bath on the other side of the PAX and screwed the cabinet into its side, as well. The more sides you can secure, the better. For extra stability, add anti-vibration footpads under your washing machine, like these from Amazon for about $20.

It's best to put the washer on the bottom because it's the heavier of the two machines. As for the dryer, Emma Hill used a KOMPLEMENT shelf, $25 at IKEA, which was made to work with the PAX unit. Whether you use an IKEA shelf or a separate piece of wood, it needs to be reinforced using similar methods as the base to support the dryer's weight. Add strips of hardwood underneath the shelf around the edges and down its center for extra support. Hardwood varieties are the least likely to sag, with birch, maple, and oak being among the hardest varieties. Cherry and walnut are also good, stable options.

Another way to ensure a shelf can hold its weight is by making it fixed rather than adjustable. You can affix the shelf to the cabinet with glue, a dado cut, or screws — or use a combination of the three. A dado cut is a groove cut into the wood that another piece, such as a shelf, can slide into snugly. These prevent the shelf from being flexible and sagging under heavy weight. 

Next, insert your washer and dryer. Give them a test run to make sure everything holds before adding any clothes for regular use. Hill set hers to a much faster spin cycle than she uses regularly, and it held fine for her unit. Finally, you can customize your PAX system to add on cabinets, drawers, clothes rails, or anything else to meet your laundry storage needs.