Laundry Tubs

Laundry Tubs & Troughs

Whether you call it a laundry tub, laundry trough or laundry sink, there are four practical options to pick from: a freestanding laundry tub on its own legs, a wall-mount tub that frees up floor space, a laundry tub with cabinet that hides plumbing and adds storage, or a drop-in (inset) tub that sits into a benchtop. Each solves a different problem. Freestanding suits a quick like-for-like swap. Wall-mount works when a washing machine or dryer needs to sit tight against the wall. Cabinet units are for anyone who wants a laundry sink and cabinet combo with storage and a tidier look in a family laundry. Drop-in tubs suit benchtop runs where the laundry doubles as a work zone. Below we've broken down how to pick, what size to go with, which material lasts, and what to check before you order.

Which laundry tub type suits your setup

Freestanding laundry tubs are the easiest swap. Standalone plumbing, legs on the floor, no cabinetry to work around. Good for renos where you're replacing an old concrete or metal trough and don't want to change the layout.

Wall-mount tubs free up floor space, which matters in small laundries or when a washing machine and dryer both need to sit flush. Check the height leaves enough clearance for a front-loader if you plan to slide one underneath later. It's a popular laundry basin option for compact spaces.

Laundry tub with cabinet options suit new builds and full renovations. You get storage for detergent, pegs and cleaning gear, with the plumbing tucked away inside. Family laundries usually land here, since a laundry sink and cabinet combo keeps everything in one spot.

Drop-in (inset) tubs integrate into a benchtop run, giving you a deep laundry sink without a freestanding unit taking up floor space. Choose this when the laundry has a folding bench or shares space with a mudroom or second kitchen. Cut-out dimensions and tap hole count matter, so measure before you commit.

Washing machine clearance is the one people miss. Measure the machine height plus a bit for the hoses before choosing tub height.

Capacity and sizing at a glance

Bench height sits around 900mm for most Australian laundries. A 45 litre laundry tub handles the average household, while a laundry sink small enough for an apartment usually means the 35L wall-mount option above. Go 70L if you're washing dog beds, mop buckets or paint rollers regularly.

Stainless steel vs polypropylene

A stainless steel laundry tub looks sharper, resists stains and lasts decades. It'll pick up light surface scratches over time, which most people don't mind. Keep it looking good with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner, the same method used across our kitchen sinks range. If you want the full method, we've written it up here: cleaning stainless steel.

Polypropylene (a tough plastic) is more forgiving with impact. Drop a heavy pot in it and you're unlikely to dent it. It's usually cheaper and warmer to the touch, but it can stain from strong dyes or bleach if left sitting. For most family laundries, either works. For a laundry that doubles as a utility sink or pet-wash zone, stainless holds up better long term.

Check before you order

S-trap or P-trap? S-trap wastes drop straight down through the floor. P-trap wastes exit horizontally through the wall. Get this wrong and the tub won't connect. Check your existing waste before ordering.

Watermark certification. The Australian tick that says the product meets plumbing standards. Everything we stock carries it, but always confirm on the spec sheet.

Waste and overflow position. Some tubs put the waste centre, others offset. Offset gives more room under the tub for storage.

Tap holes. Tubs come with 0, 1 or 2 tap holes pre-drilled. Zero suits wall-mounted taps. One suits a mixer. Two suits separate hot and cold. Match this to your tapware before you order, not after.

Pairing your tub with the right tapware

Two things to get right: spout reach and hole count. The spout needs to clear the tub edge and drop water toward the centre, not the rim. For deep utility sink tubs, a taller gooseneck or wall-mounted spout works better than a low-profile mixer. Wall-mounted taps free up the tub deck and suit wall-mount tubs. Deck-mounted mixers suit freestanding and cabinet units. Match the finish to your other laundry fittings so it reads as one setup. Browse the range of laundry taps once you've locked in the tub.

Laundry tub FAQs