Fun With Laundry

My Little Washer/Dryer Combo  

Our unit has one of those little European washer/dryer combos. I'd seen one in England while visiting friends with 4 children. How do moms survive without a big washer and dryer? I ran at least a load every day when my children were at home.

In any case, I decided to give it a go. I even watched a couple of videos how to use the little cutie. Our landlord and the videos emphasized the importance of using low-sudsing, high-efficiency detergent. I thought that was my only problem. Ha. I carefully unscrewed the lint filter which was covered in crust and crud. After cleaning it, I screwed it back in, loaded in my little load, carefully measured the HE detergent, and pushed start. Water began flowing into the machine, and just as quickly, out the lint filter. Fortunately I had many towels not yet put away. I hit cancel and started sopping up the water before it made it to the wood flooring in the bedroom.

Once everything was dry, I took out the lint filter again, washed it again, and screwed it back in again. Pushed start, and water began running out of it again. After I'd mopped this round of water, I was out of towels and patience. I loaded all the wet towels and my wet load of clothes into my laundry bag and took them to the laundry room. Following the instructions, I put detergent in the machine and added my wash. The digital display said "Close lid" which I did. Again and again. I pressed on the lid, yet the display did not change. The other person doing laundry finally took pity and said, "No work."

Since the other machines were all full, I left my clothes and called the condo management company to report the non-functioning machine. The receptionist assured me they would call back. When I returned to the laundry room a half hour later, my machine was unplugged. I guess the first step in getting it fixed. Transferred the wash to another machine, went back upstairs to get the detergent I'd forgotten, came back, and successfully washed and dried my laundry.

At home I would have hung it all out on my lovely clothesline that is now tucked away in storage.

Tonight, Grant and I tried fixing the lint filter one more time. He figured out how to put the gasket in so it sealed. With mop and towels at hand, I pushed the start button. Not a drip. Tomorrow I'm going to give it another go. And sit right next to it while it runs just in case.