Imagine never again burning your hands on scalding water or freezing them under an icy stream just to rinse a muddy jersey or fill a bucket. A laundry mixer ends that struggle in one simple upgrade: one elegant spout that delivers perfectly mixed hot and cold water exactly when and where you need it. It’s the small change that makes every laundry job faster, cleaner, and genuinely pleasant.
What is a Laundry Mixer?
A laundry mixer is the single tap that delivers both hot and cold water into your laundry tub or sink. Unlike the two separate taps you might remember from older homes, a true laundry mixer gives you one spout and one set of controls so you can get the exact water temperature you need in seconds.
Most people only notice their laundry mixer when it drips, splashes everywhere, or forces them to fill a bucket with freezing cold water. Upgrading to a proper mixer – especially a premium pull-out model – instantly makes hand-washing, soaking, rinsing boots and cleaning paint trays easier and far less messy.
Laundry Mixer vs Other Taps
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Laundry mixer - one spout, mixes hot + cold, designed for deep tubs and heavy use.
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Separate hot & cold taps - two handles, common in houses built before the 1990s, slow and annoying for everyday jobs.
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Washing machine taps - small red and blue valves behind the machines – only for the appliances, not for filling buckets.
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Kitchen mixer - looks similar but usually has a shorter spout and lower flow; it will splash like crazy in a deep laundry tub.
Bottom line: if you want fast, temperature-controlled water over a deep tub, you need a real laundry mixer.
Types of Laundry Mixers Available in Australia
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Wall-mounted – fixed to the wall above the tub, saves bench space, classic look.
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Hob-mounted – sits on the benchtop behind or beside the tub, easiest to retrofit.
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Pull-out / pull-down – the spout extends on a hose; perfect for rinsing the tub itself or filling buckets on the floor.
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Single-lever – one handle controls temperature and flow (most popular).
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Twin-handle – separate hot and cold levers, more traditional feel.
The pull-out version is currently the most requested upgrade because it turns a simple tap into a multi-purpose cleaning tool.
Features of a Laundry Mixer
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Hot + cold mixing – essential for delicates, dissolving detergent properly and winter comfort.
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WELS 4-star or better – saves water without sacrificing pressure.
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Spout reach & height – at least 200 mm reach and 300 mm height to clear a deep tub without constant splashing.
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Ceramic disc cartridge – drip-free for 10–15 years (cheap rubber-washer taps fail in 12–18 months).
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Solid brass construction – no plastic internals that crack in hot Australian summers.
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Easy-clean nozzle – rubber inserts you wipe with a finger to remove lime scale.
Benefits of a Good Laundry Mixer
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Filling a 20 L bucket in under 30 seconds at the perfect temperature.
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Hand-washing woollens or school uniforms without scalding your hands.
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Rinsing muddy sports gear or the dog after a walk.
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Cleaning paint rollers and trays without walking to the kitchen.
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Using the pull-out hose to rinse the entire tub in one sweep.
Common and Expensive Mistakes
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Buying a kitchen mixer – the spout is too short and you’ll splash water everywhere.
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Choosing a low-arc model for a deep tub – water hits the back wall instead of the bottom.
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Going for the $79 special – you’ll replace it again in two years.
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Forgetting breech clearance – the tap legs hit the tub rim and it won’t sit flat.
Best Premium Pull-Out Laundry Mixer for 2025
After reviewing the latest options from Austpek Bathrooms, the standout in the premium pull-out category is the OLIVERI VILO Pull Out Kitchen Mixer 464mm Matte Black.
This model edges out the competition with its sleek, modern design and robust build tailored for heavy-duty laundry use. Key highlights include:
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464mm spout reach – Ample extension to handle deep tubs up to 60L without splashing, making it ideal for soaking bulky items like rugs or work gear.
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Pull-out hose functionality – Smooth extraction for targeted rinsing, whether you're cleaning the tub walls or filling low buckets on the floor.
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Matte black finish – Durable PVD coating resists fingerprints and corrosion, giving a high-end, contemporary look that matches premium Austpek cabinets.
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Ceramic disc cartridge – Built for 500,000+ cycles, ensuring drip-free performance for years in high-humidity laundry environments.
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Solid brass construction – Lead-free internals for safety and longevity, outperforming plastic-heavy alternatives in Australia's variable water conditions.
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WELS-rated efficiency – Balances strong flow (up to 9L/min) with water savings, compliant for Australian homes.
Priced at $1,296, it's a worthwhile investment for those seeking luxury without compromise. Customers rave about its effortless operation: "The pull-out hose changed how I handle laundry messes – no more awkward reaching," shares one recent buyer paired with an Austpek undermount tub. It integrates seamlessly with Austpek's 700mm benchtops, where the extended reach prevents hose kinking and ensures flush alignment.
If matte black isn't your vibe, the Nero Opal Pull Out Sink Mixer in brushed gold offers similar specs with a warmer, artisanal finish – but the Oliveri Vilo takes the crown for its superior steel-reinforced hose and taller profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need hot water in the laundry?
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Yes – for proper stain removal, dissolving powder detergent and comfort in winter.
Can I use a kitchen pull-out mixer instead?
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You can, but you’ll get constant splashing because kitchen spouts are shorter and lower.
Are pull-out laundry mixers worth the extra money?
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100% if you ever fill buckets, rinse large items or clean the tub regularly.
What height should the spout be?
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Minimum 300 mm from bench to spout for deep tubs; 350 mm+ is ideal.
Ready for the Upgrade?
Stop putting up with cold water and splashing. Contact Austpek Bathrooms today for exclusive package pricing on Laundry Mixers bundled with our premium laundry cabinets and laundry tubs.
