Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment: How To

You live in an apartment that doesn't have washing machine connections, or you're confronted by any number of other situations whereby you need to know how to connect a washing machine to a kitchen sink. It's easier than you think-particularly, if you have a kitchen sink spout with threads on it-and if you don't already have the few necessary parts, a quick trip to a local hardware or large retail store, a few dollars, and a little bit of time and patience is all that's needed.

How to Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment (Parts & Supplies)

Rustle up some plumber's tape or Teflon tape, a faucet to hose coupling aerator (quick-connect, if at all possible), a garden hose coupler, Y-splitter with ball valves (metal, if at all possible), garden hoses (two, and standard size), sharp knife, male end garden hose attachment, cross tip screwdriver, flat tip screwdriver, hose clamp, hot water hose, plastic ties, plugs for garden hose (when disconnected and not in use).

How to Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment (Plumber's Tape)

Wrap with plumber's tape every set of (screw) threads you see, which includes both male ends on the two (cold water) garden hoses, the male end on the (hot water) hose, the male ends on the Y-splitter, the exterior threads on the faucet to hose coupler, the garden hose coupler, and the kitchen sink spout (if threads are exterior).

How to Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment (Kitchen Sink Set-up)

Screw the faucet to hose coupler to the kitchen sink spout. Now, screw the single, female end, of the garden hose coupler to the Y-splitter. Now, screw the Y-splitter to the faucet to hose coupler. Screw both the hot water hose and a garden hose female ends to the Y-splitter.

How to Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment (Washing Machine and Drainage Set-up)

Screw the male ends of both the hot water and garden hoses to the washing machine. Push the male end of the second garden hose into the end of the washing machine drainage hose. Clamp it tight, so that it's waterproof. Tie the drainage (garden) hose to the (cold water) garden hose, keeping it close to the water inlet hose on its way to the kitchen sink to drain. Cut off the female end of the drainage hose, if necessary for it to fit into the kitchen sink drain.

How to Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment (Washing Machine and Kitchen Sink Operation)

Open the Y-splitter valve(s), depending on whether you're washing in both hot and cold water. If you're using both temperatures during a wash cycle, you may elect to turn on both temperatures at the start of washing (on a two levered sink). Start washing in the washing machine.

Turn off the water(s) and close the valve(s) on the Y-splitter before disconnecting the hoses from the Y-splitter. Closing the valves relieves pressure from the hoses, so that you won't have difficulty removing them.

How to Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment (Warnings)

Washing Machine and Flooring: If you're in an apartment above the first floor, even the first floor for that matter, make sure the flooring wherever you're going to use the washing machine handles the vibrations the washing machine may make while in use.

Washing Machine and Kitchen Sink Water Leaks: Water leaks or a hose burst is a possibility. Make sure all connections to and from the washing machine and kitchen sink are water tight and secure. Garden hoses are much more prone to bursting open than braided washing machine hoses.

Washing Machine and Kitchen Sink Drainage: The kitchen sink drain may not be adequate for the washing machine drainage. Check with an honest plumbing friend or whomever necessary to make sure the drains leading away from the kitchen sink are adequate.

How to Connect a Washing Machine to a Kitchen Sink in an Apartment: Disclaimer: Since I'm not familiar with the laws wherever whomever is located that's reading this article, check to make sure it's legal to hookup a washing machine to the kitchen sink, and check to make sure the lease you signed, if you did sign a rental agreement, doesn't say you can't connect a washing machine to a kitchen sink.