In this article, we will discuss what a laundry tub is and the benefits of having one at home. A laundry tub makes washing your clothes more efficient and also provides a convenient and comfortable workspace. It will help a lot when it comes to the maintenance of your garments and clothing. Learn more about laundry tubs by reading the rest of the article below.
What is a laundry tub? A laundry tub is a bigger and deeper version of a kitchen sink. It provides the space that is required to properly soak and rinse clothing, but it is often used for more than laundry. These tubs are available in many styles, materials, shapes, and sizes. Single sink laundry tubs are usually installed on four legs and have a wide plumbing system. On the other hand, double sink laundry tubs are designed with two basins: one for soaking clothes, and another for rinsing.
Laundry tubs have many uses aside from doing the laundry. It can be used to clean large pots and pans, water household plants, bathe pets, and many more. As compared to traditional kitchen and bathroom sinks, laundry sinks are wider and deeper. What are the different types of laundry tubs? How deep is a laundry tub? What is the purpose of a laundry tub? These are some of the questions that we will discuss below. We will also discuss the purpose and uses of laundry tubs. Let’s get started!
Different Types of Laundry Tub
Freestanding tubs, wall-mounted tubs, apron tubs, molded-in tubs, and self-rimming rubs are the common types of laundry tubs that are installed in most households. When choosing a laundry tub, you need to consider where it will be installed. The plumbing system should be in place along with the pipes. To have the best laundry tub for your home, you also need to consider the amount of space that you have. Below is a short description of each type of tub.
Free Standing Tubs
This type of tub needs less space as compared to a wall-mounted tub, but will require space on the floor. Free-standing tubs are made from various materials like porcelain, stainless steel, marble, fiberglass, cast iron, and granite. You can choose a material that suits your preferences and budget. Freestanding tubs are ideal for small laundry rooms.
Wall Mounted Tubs
This tub needs little room space for installation but needs some type of wall support. The cost of wall mounted laundry tub depends on the size of the basin as well as the material that is used in creating the tub. Wall-mounted tubs made from fiberglass usually cost around 150 dollars. Stainless steel tubs can cost from 100 to 1,000 dollars. Stainless steel is more durable which makes it more expensive. However, both the stainless steel tub and the fiberglass one are strong and will resist mold and mildew.
Apron Tubs
This type of tub is wall-mounted basins. You can choose between a single and double basin. Apron tubs are usually made from granite, cast iron, porcelain, and stainless steel.
Molded-In Tubs
This tub is formed as a part of the countertop and is easy to clean and maintain. However, if the sink becomes damaged, you will need to replace the entire countertop. Molded-in tubs are made from granite, marble, and fiberglass. You can choose between a single and a double basin.
Self-Rimming Tubs
This laundry tub is installed by dropping it into a hole in the countertop. Self-rimming tubs are easily installed. It is usually made of stainless steel, porcelain, and cast iron.
Do I Really Need a Laundry Tub?
The question of whether you need a laundry tub or not depends on how you plan to use it and how often you need to use it. If you only want to use the laundry tub to clean garments sparingly, then you do not necessarily need one. However, if you want a workspace that enables you to effectively maintain your laundry schedule, then having a laundry tub is a good choice. There are various factors that you need to consider before purchasing a laundry tub and these are not the same factors as buying a bathroom or kitchen sink.
The size of the laundry tub should be decided according to your needs. If you constantly need to do huge piles of laundry, you will need a big tub. Moreover, if you wanted to use the tub to soak curtains, bed sheets, and comforters, you will need a larger tub to make the work faster and easier. You can also check out this article that we have written titled, what is a laundry/utility sink pump? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
What are Laundry Tubs Made Of?
Laundry tubs are made of various materials like wood, glass, porcelain, and stone-based finishes. The common choices available in the market include stainless steel, enameled cast iron, and solid surfacing. Decide what works best for the existing theme of your laundry room. Also, make sure to balance looks and function. While you want to have a fancy tub, you also need to consider the fact that it will be exposed to too much work and should be durable. You can find laundry tubs made of concrete that are supplanted by plastic molded substitutes or fiberglass. These laundry tubs weigh lighter.
Stainless steel
Laundry tubs made from stainless steel will not stain. Moreover, it will not fade or chip. Stainless steel tubs have a little give so anything you drop inside it is less likely to break. It is a good choice if you want an industrial look into your laundry area.
Enameled Cast Iron
This material is one of the strongest available. Enamel cast iron laundry tubs are scratch, stain, and chip-resistant. The enamel provides the cast-iron surface with a warm-looking finish. While it is resistant to stain and water, prolonged exposure to bleach can blemish the surface of the tub. Moreover, the enamel will chip or crack if you drop something hard on it. Enameled cast iron is also the heaviest sink so you need to make sure that you provide sufficient support before installing it.
Solid surfacing
Laundry tubs made from solid surfacing are durable, stain-resistant, and have a warm appearance. It can withstand a wide variety of tasks aside from soaking and washing clothes. Any scratches and dings on the tub can be easily sanded out. On the other hand, it is best to hire a professional to mend any damage, or else, the abraded surfaces can easily show.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Laundry Tub?
Many factors will affect the cost of laundry tub replacement. Usually, it can cost between 200 to 500 dollars to have a plumber install a standard utility sink considering the basic hook-ups and vents are already in place and no extensive venting or piping is required. Otherwise, it can be more expensive if much work needs to be done.
Materials and professional installation can cost from 500 to 800 dollars provide that utility hookups are not already in place. The cost can hike up between 900 to 1,300 dollars depending on what is needed to properly hook up to the existing venting and plumbing systems.
✅ Video – DIY – Laundry Tub Upgrade
Charles Coushaine shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to upgrade an existing 1985 plastic laundry tub with a new stainless steel one. If you want to learn more tips and ideas on how to upgrade your laundry tub, you can watch the video for more information.
What is the Purpose of a Laundry Tub?
Laundry tubs serve many purposes aside from cleaning, soaking, and washing clothes. It can be used to wash pets, water household plants, clean large pots and pans, and many other work functions that require the use of a large tub.
Hand Washing Clothes
There is no doubt that doing the laundry is a tedious and time-consuming process. This can even be harder if you need to hand wash clothes that cannot be washed in the washing machine. Some clothes need separate treatment because of stains and some fabric also bleeds. Hand washing can be tiresome if you do not have a convenient area to do it. A laundry tub can provide you with a convenient area to soak and wash clothes.
Bathing Pets
It can be challenging to bathe active pets because they continue to wiggle, and you will have to deal with a wet floor. If you do not want to wash your pets in your bathroom, it helps if you have a laundry tub. Once your pets are in the tub, washing can be easy and you can easily get rid of hairs that are left behind.
Cleaning Large Pots and Pans
It can be hard to clean large pots and pans especially if you small sink in the kitchen. However, with a laundry sink, you can easily soak and get rid of stains from large pots and pans. Laundry tubs provide the convenience and space that you need to scrub and clean pots without having to worry about spilling water on the kitchen floor.
Rinsing
If you do not want your kitchen or bath sink to be exposed to stains and dirt, using the laundry tub is a great idea to rinse equipment like paintbrushes. You can even water your household plants inside the tub. Moreover, a laundry sink is a perfect place to wash and clean mud from shoes and playground items. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what is a good size laundry room? We have shared the different sizes of laundry rooms that you can have for your home.
How Deep is a Laundry Tub?
Laundry tubs usually have a depth of 10 inches up to 25 inches. They are deeper as compared to a bathroom and kitchen sink which makes them ideal for soaking clothes and large items. Laundry tubs are available in rectangular or square shapes. You can also check out this article that discusses if a washing machine can drain into the sump pump. Read the article for an in-depth discussion about the topic.
How Many Gallons Does a Laundry Sink Hold?
The number of gallons a laundry sink can hold will have to depend on the size of the sink. The average sink can usually hold at least three gallons of water. To learn more about this topic, you can check out this article that we have written titled, how many gallons does a laundry sink hold?
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses what a laundry tub is. We have found out that a laundry tub is a convenient and helpful addition to your laundry room. It serves many purposes aside from soaking and washing clothes. Because of its depth and size, you can use it to clean large items that cannot be accommodated by the kitchen or bathroom sink. You can check out the different laundry sinks and compare one product to another to get the best deals. Consider your budget and preferences to find the best laundry tub that will work best for your laundry area. Thank you for reading!