Washing Machine Toddler Defense
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Internet-connected plug?
It allows for custom auto-off timer, or you could just manually turn it off via an app on your phone.
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Can you remove their access to the room where the washing machine is? Mine is in the attic, behind a door and a stair gate, so they couldn't even come close.
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Baby gates. Baby gates everywhere.
Also thats a weird toddler lock. Ours you have to push and hold a button to activate it and it wont run until you push and hold something else.
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Depending on your washer door these style of locks work well
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
They also have those storage/riser blocks that raise the washing machine/ dryer by 1.5ft or so. Check with the manufacturer. Those might be able to help push it out of arms reach. Not the only solution needed but could be an extra layer of defense, and saves your back!
Also you say you keep the door closed, but just an fyi that the door is supposed to be able to air out after a load or you can get a nasty smell eventually and give off a musty smell to clothes.
I know that's a new problem but if you can somehow limit access to the room then that takes care of both issues.
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Depending on your washer door these style of locks work well
Came here to say this. We have these everywhere in the house. They're super easy to open (by adults) and should come off when the kiddos are older without too much fuss.
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Really, that hard to pull a plug when you're done? This is a non-issue. The plug too far? Okay, get an extension cord.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Maybe try fixing your house where pulling a cord to keep toddlers safe takes priority over the inconvenience of pluging something back in.
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Put a locking door handle on the door
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Bicycle chain?
Great idea bolt the toddler to the wall with spare bike chains when the washing machine is in the house lol
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
There are custom-made products for this. You don't have to buy from them obviously, but search Amazon for baby proof washing machine. Should be under USD20.
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Do you have any smart home stuff going on? If you had Home Assistant set up, I could imagine a trigger that turns off a smart outlet after 5 minutes of no use. (I use such a trigger to let me know when laundry is done)
About 2 minutes after I posted i decided this is probably the best solution.
I'm big into self hosting but have been resisting the urge to open the home automation box because I'll never close it again.
That said, it's an obvious solution to this dilemma.
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Really, that hard to pull a plug when you're done? This is a non-issue. The plug too far? Okay, get an extension cord.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Maybe try fixing your house where pulling a cord to keep toddlers safe takes priority over the inconvenience of pluging something back in.
Or i could, you know... fix my house so a toddlers safety is not dependent on someone remembering to pull a cord?
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They also have those storage/riser blocks that raise the washing machine/ dryer by 1.5ft or so. Check with the manufacturer. Those might be able to help push it out of arms reach. Not the only solution needed but could be an extra layer of defense, and saves your back!
Also you say you keep the door closed, but just an fyi that the door is supposed to be able to air out after a load or you can get a nasty smell eventually and give off a musty smell to clothes.
I know that's a new problem but if you can somehow limit access to the room then that takes care of both issues.
There's a dryer on top of the washing machine so we can't really raise it.
Also we keep the laundry door closed not the washing machine door.
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There are custom-made products for this. You don't have to buy from them obviously, but search Amazon for baby proof washing machine. Should be under USD20.
Oh wow. Thanks.
Obviously I just didn't know what to search for.
Solved.
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Depending on your washer door these style of locks work well
Will get mouldy and gross inside.
Someone else mentioned a specialised product like this:
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
What brand are your machines? Because the child lockout function you mentioned absolutely should prevent a cycle from being started. That's what it's for.
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Internet-connected plug?
It allows for custom auto-off timer, or you could just manually turn it off via an app on your phone.
Plus it it has a button on the plug/switch for manual operation.
The yolink brand is a decent compromise.
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About 2 minutes after I posted i decided this is probably the best solution.
I'm big into self hosting but have been resisting the urge to open the home automation box because I'll never close it again.
That said, it's an obvious solution to this dilemma.
wrote on last edited by [email protected]Yea, I don't want any smart devices.
My short term solution for some crucial monitoring needs has been Yolink products.
I have their hub (without voice nonsense), a couple temp monitors (for a fridge and freezer), and a couple switches (really for power monitoring).
I have their app on my phone with minimal permissions. You don't need the app - the system will do SMS or email alerts.
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
wrote on last edited by [email protected]Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on.
Replace the doorknob with one that incorporates a "storeroom lockset." It's like the normal entry lockset like you'd have on your front door, but there's no button on the inside: it can always be opened from the inside, but requires a key from the outside every time the door shuts.
I use a storeroom lock to keep my kids out of my home networking closet. I'm thinking about putting one on the basement door, too.
(It's not weird/exotic/expensive BTW; it's just more common in commercial buildings than residential ones. It should cost about the same as a normal entry-lockset doorknob.)
See also: https://flyinglocksmiths.com/blog/the-five-lockset-functions/
For bonus points, install a door closer (or just a tension spring) to make sure it latches shut every time you walk away.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven’t been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it’s done - but that’s just not how things roll in our house.
You could get a "smart" plug and use Home Assistant to monitor the energy usage and shut the plug off after the washer stops drawing power, but unless you already have a smart home setup that's super overkill.
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I can't decide the best way to secure our front loading washing machine.
We have twins. They're fascinated by the washing machine. Lights, beeps, action... everything. One twin getting inside and their erstwhile companion starting the cycle is absolutely possible.
Obviously we keep the laundry door closed but in a way you just build up the appeal. One of them has figured out how to open doors by standing on his trike.
I could put some kind of stick-on toddler lock on the door but I worry it would be tough to establish the habit of closing the door and putting that lock on. Besides which surely it's nice to leave the door open to dry out between loads anyway?
The washing machine does have a toddler lock but that's only to prevent someone changing the settings during a cycle, it doesn't prevent starting a cycle.
My best idea thus far is a timer on the power outlet. So you turn on the power and set the timer to turn it off after however long the load takes.
The problem with this is that I haven't been able to find a count-down style timer that allows you to set periods longer than 2 hours. Most power outlet timer thingies do schedules, not count-down.
I know this maybe sounds like an easily solvable problem - just turn the power off when it's done - but that's just not how things roll in our house.
Washing Machine Toddler Defense
I was expecting some complex legal strategy...
