and I don't want it to be.
It didn't used to be my life. Before there was an Andrew, I was happy as a clam to pull clean laundry from coin op machines in the dingy basements of apartment buildings we've lived in. I loved it. It felt like I was getting all new clothes.
When Andrew was born we had a washer and dryer in our apartment. Unheard of in this city. Or rare at least. And it was perfect, because those little ones are messy mess makers. Then, we moved.
For the last year and a half we had a european washer/dryer combo. One machine. It did a great job washing and didn't dry that well. So, I would hang clothes on drying racks. Everyday. Every morning I would fire her up, do a load and hang it up by lunch. There was always laundry drying in our kitchen. It would take 12-24 hours for things to dry, depending on humidity. When it was time to move again, I wanted good laundry options. I didn't want to always be doing laundry. So imagine our joy, relief and luck when we found a place with a washer/dryer hookup. An apartment we didn't mind working days to rodent-proof and live in for a little while without a working toilet or stove. We thought, this is all worth it. Once everything is fixed, it will be great.
hmmmm....
So, things got fixed. We still have more rodent-proofing to finish up and have been struggling to get the laundry going. We have bought 3 sets of washers and dryers. The first two were beautiful. Front loading. Huge. They would be part of the family. Move with us, grow with us, see us through thick and thin. But, they couldn't fit through the door. So, they were returned.
This third set is one of those: one unit, one on top of another, 'space savers'. We bought it used because we don't want to invest big in one of these. It will not come with us if we ever grow up and buy a place. It will not be a part of the family.
And I think it knows.
Because it won't work.
The washer does it's best to wash very small loads. The dryer laughs at us. So, I am hanging laundry on the drying racks again.
We called the GE repair folks to come and improve our lives. I mean, to come and fix this machine. We called two weeks ago. He came today. Charged us $100 to tell us that the gas line is not working and we need someone (a plumber) to look at the gas line in the basement. The machine is fine. It's the gas line that's causing the problem.
So, as you pull clean, warm clothes out of your clothes dryers, give them a hug and think of me. Send me happy, clean clothes thoughts. Because I am giving up. We will be the Stink family. From now on. No more trying to clean the clothes.
I mean, what was I thinking?
This has been the answer all along!
cute firetruck, though. yes?
5 comments:
Oh, Robyn. You know I feel your pain like no one else. I don't think any repairman can make that washer clean. Could you take out your door? Bring it in through a window? I so want you to have nice washing machines.
hi robyn
i hope you don't mind, but i just couldn't resist posting a little link for you. it's for the compact whirpool dryer that we have. it's ventless, electric and plugs into any standard outlet. i bought ours from someone on craigslist for a steal a few years ago, and we've never had a problem with it. maybe you want to check it out? the only down side is that it does use electricity, so i try to use it during off-peak hours and hang stuff when i can.
http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Whirlpool-LDR3822HQ
oh dear, do i ever feel your laundry pain!
Susan,
it's the bathroom door that is too small. We took the door down, the door frame and even trimmed away at the wall board a bit. We would have had to take down tiles. I have found that as long as the loads are small, the washer is cooperating. It is merely the dryer that is fussing with us.
Tami,
Thanks for the tip. Our landlord just called to say that he will come over tomorrow to check the gas in the basement. Hopefully it just a matter of switching a valve and we're golden. At this rate, i doubt it is that easy though, so I'll keep this in mind. Thanks!
Doesn't it just seem so unfair that they get to charge such a gross amount of money for doing absolutely nothing? If I ran a business, I think I would want to get a reputation for charging for actually doing something. You'd still make money, don't you think?
Hope the gas line fixes things.
Loralee,
I think you should go into business. I'd be a patron.
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