The "supports" down the middle of the bed are those 3 flimsy laminate boards that screw onto the top of the heavy pieces. So I will make a strong brace, drill holes thru the back of each of the baskets cubbies (those baskets are stuffed full of clothes towels etc, so will the air flow thru the holes ,then thru the dead coffin area as I call it, then thru the other side holes out into the opposite baskets? I have only 4 rooms, all literally separate, kitchen,living,bedroom 1,bedroom 2. the bathroom is really tiny. it does have a double hung window in it, so i should crack it when showering and for a bit after.. Regarding cleaning the bed, first of all, yes the bottom of the mattress is damp, I have puddles of water on top of the laminate, but have no smell in the water, no color, no residue showing on the furniture yet, and no stain on the mattress,just wet. I may have caught this problem early? I should cut open the mattress to see what is in there? So since i have no "mold" i.e. gray green blue icky stuff on the furniture, can I just wipe it down with lysol? Is mold visible? (I know a dumb question) The bed is nicely wet, but the laminate has not gotten soggy at all, still firm. I'll look into a humidifier(s). hope they don't cost as much as the electric heater! oh, and you asked about my health? You make me crack up on that one. I have had a cold on/off/ on/off for months (could be my sister's kids I nanny sit for tho), one of my cats has developed asthma...... I think I will hit ikea and buy a futon style bed (just the cushion part,no frame) or maybe a thick foam topper and sleep on the living room floor (the other bedroom has no heat, take off that flimsy laminate and let the bed breathe for awhile after I drill the holes. -;like a few weeks min? Like you mentioned earlier, I'm not investing in an expensive mattress until I know this problem is fixed. so tomorrow I will pull the bed apart-when I get help to move that heavy mattress.

I built a pedestal platform for our front loader W&D using 2x6's and plywood. It's super sturdy, 16 in. high, with 2 large drawers. I put together some step-by-step instructions on how to build it, as well as a list of the Tools and Materials you need (including pics). Feel free to use or modify them to fit your needs. Would love to hear your comments and questions! Link is below: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B4HSJ_5hzCkrZjE3Mzc4NDYtZjc5ZC00M2U2LWIwZWUtZjQ0ZTJhMDg2OWIz&hl=en Here is a link that might be useful: W&D Platform - Materials List and DIY Instructions

Worse case, the Washer "walks" a little till one "foot" drops off the edge, but then the Washer won't go any farther. The washer shouldn't need 4" for the hoses, but the Dryer would, unless you get the "side vent kit" if there's room to vent the dryer on the side. LG electric dryers can be vented either side, the gas dryer can't be vented out the right side.

My newish bed is a RH sleigh bed with rails about 2" wide (past the mattress). I occasionally stub toes, but never shins. A bed like that platform bed is gorgeous, but looks really difficult to get into and out of and difficult to make. I would probably stub toes not shins. I imagine climbing in, I might step up onto the edge like step? Not sure how I would get out exactly. Probably scoot off the mattress to sit on the edge of the platform and then swing my legs down. I imagine you'd find some way to make the bed, though it seems like you'd be leaning over the edge a lot and maybe climbing on top. I do think it looks really cool, but it would not be the bed for me.