The Laundry Stimulus

We are getting a new washer and dryer this week. You see, our dryer has this annoying habit of eating our clothes. It started way back when I still had at least one kid that wore onesies - I remember this because if I failed to close EVERY LAST snap one of the exposed halves (usually the 'male') would get caught between the frame and the drum of the dryer. At best, the item would be all twisted and would usually have a rust stain at the site of the 'chomp'...at worst, the piece of clothing would tear.

We temporarily fixed it for a while - and by 'we' I mean Rob replaced a bad seal - and all was well. Unfortunately, it began again. For some reason it seems to favor E1's stuff...although it ALWAYS eats a button off of a certain top of mine (and I have two of that style).

We called a repair guy who came out an looked at it...and he said it's a common problem for this make and model and that replacing the seal is only a temporary fix. The manufacturer now has a whole new drum replacement...but, in the words of Ken the Repairman, "It's an expensive part and an expensive repair." Ken wouldn't elaborate, wouldn't commit to fixing it should we track down said expensive drum, nor would he answer my question as to what he would do if it was HIS dryer. Clearly he wouldn't have gotten into this situation to begin with, eh?

So, we started to speak of dryer replacement and I startled Rob by admitting that I would like the washer and dryer to match more or less...so I didn't want one of the new-fangled ones if we weren't ready to replace the washer.

Then, we heard about the appliance rebates for Illinois! I started looking around at Consumer Reports, thinking I'd compromise and get one of the HE models that isn't a front-loader. But, the reviews on those weren't so great; for reasons I don't understand, a washer with no agitator is rougher on clothes than a washer with an agitator...but the front loaders were rated better overall.

And so, my research began on front loaders...and I found a model that met our needs and fit our budget ...but lo, the reviews at Consumer Reports AND any other website were not so great...many people saying they purchased that model based on CR's recommendation and regretted.

So, I did the only reasonable thing left - I sent my sister-in-law Christine a message asking what brand and model she had. I figured I'd never heard her complain about hers and it would at least give me a starting place. New model suggestion in my inbox, I continued my search and found a new model that met our needs and fit our budget.

Then, I went to look at them in person. Rob wanted me to ask about rebates for dryers as well, since dryers weren't mentioned on any of the rebate information sites. I called him from the store, verifying that even though they didn't have our model in-store (well they did, but in red...I just can't get myself psyched-up for that kind of excitement in my laundry room), we could place the order in-store and it would qualify as an in-store purchase for the rebate. He asked if there was a rebate for the dryer and I said there wasn't...

R: Well, do we still want to get a dryer then - if there's no rebate?

Me: Isn't that how this all started? We need to replace the dryer?

R: Oh, right.

We both had a good chuckle. This is how home improvements spiral out of control, people!

I've consulted some peeps on the internets, and we've come to the conclusion that we should try stacking the w/d. It will free up a lot of room for better organized storage. To wake you up on this Monday afternoon I will let you peek into my laundry room. Unfortunately, at this time the walls and floors will not be changing. Brace yourself!

See what I'm saying with no red for the washer and dryer?

Over to the right there used to be a vanity sink with a medicine cabinet above it. The good news is that by stacking the washer and dryer there we will cover the 70's era wallboard and the flooring that were exposed when we removed the vanity. The bad news is that the wallpaper will remain.

I'm not sure what will become of the peacock feathers...the kids keep saying they're going to make a craft. I'll keep you posted if anything develops there. Until then, I've got a lot of cleaning-out to do before delivery later this week!