Washing machine in kitchen? Disgusting, says Kirstie Allsopp

WALK into most British homes and you’ll find the washing machine tucked under the kitchen counter.

But this tried and tested design feature is ‘disgusting’, according to TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, who sparked an angry debate online about where we should put our white goods.

Miss Allsopp, 45, doesn’t like the idea of doing laundry in the kitchen, instead suggesting it is more ‘practical’ to put washing machines in the bathroom.

But the property expert’s advice did not go down well with many of her followers, who attacked her for assuming they had the ‘luxury’ to choose where to put the bulky machines.

One even went so far as to call baron’s daughter Miss Allsopp a ‘snob’ for her comments, which led her to insist that she had only intended for it to be a ‘humorous debate’.

The row began when a journalist wrote on Twitter that his American colleagues found the idea of putting a washing machine in a kitchen ‘confusing’ and ‘disgusting’. Miss Allsopp, host of shows including Location, Location, Location, replied: ‘It is disgusting. My life’s work is in part dedicated to getting washing machines out of the kitchen.’

When asked where she would recommend people put their washing machine if they do not have a utility room, Miss Allsopp replied: ‘ Bathroom, hall cupboard, airing cupboard, tiny laundry rooms.’

Although many of her international fans agreed with her, and said it was a ‘British thing’ to put washing machines in the kitchen, there was a backlash from the UK.

One critic wrote: ‘Not everyone is lucky enough to have a separate room for it #makesmesoannoyed.’

Another remarked sarcastically: ‘It’s true. Hospitals are full of people dying from knickers/cheese sandwich cross contamination.’

In response to the criticism, Miss Allsopp wrote: ‘ Look you bunch of total ****wits, IF POSSIBLE having a washing machine out of the kitchen frees up space, if not possible no big deal.’

Paul Watts Estate Agency appeared to support her stance, writing: ‘ We have often recommended putting in bathroom if no utility. Makes more sense to us.’