Can I Build Pedestals for Washers & Dryers?

Pedestals for washing machines and dryers are a good idea. If you have front-loading machines, they are a great idea. They make loading and unloading laundry much easier by reducing the amount of bending and stooping otherwise involved in doing your wash. Unfortunately, buying a pedestal can put a sizable dent in your bank account.

Building your own pedestal is a viable option if you have basic woodworking skills and a few hours to spare. Does this Spark an idea?

Basics

A washer/dryer pedestal is nothing more than a box designed to support the machine. Keeping this fact it mind, the box must be strong enough to bear the weight of the machine, its load and any torque the machine generates during operation.

Materials

The pedestal's frame should be made of two-by-four material. The material used to cover the frame should be no less than 3/4-inch thick. The covering you use is not only cosmetic; it adds lateral stiffness to the frame and increases overall strength.
Since the pedestal will be used in an area where water is likely to accumulate, plywood is a good choice. It is water-resistant and provides a smooth surface when finished properly. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) provides a smooth surface but lacks the moisture resistance needed for this application. Oriented-strand board (OSB) has higher moisture resistance than MDF but surface irregularities make it difficult to finish properly.
Non-skid rubber feet attached to the pedestal's bottom will increase the platform's stability and raise it off the floor enough to prevent water damage from small leaks.

Design

Your pedestals can be as simple as a box, open at the top and bottom. Or, if you are adventurous, you can add a drawer for storage. Whatever your final design is, never sacrifice strength for looks.

Construction

Make the top and bottom dimensions of the pedestals the same as the bottom dimension of your washer or dryer. Two-by-fours should be used as corner posts in all four corners. Two-by-fours should be used for the top and bottom members on all four sides to complete the frame.
Do not use nails for this project. Over time, wood can shrink causing nails to lose their hold. As a result, the pedestal could become less stable over time.
Wood screws eliminate this problem. Be sure to drill pilot holes for each screw to keep your material from splitting. Since you will be using long screws to join the structural members, put some paraffin or soap on the threads to make driving them easier.