Homeowning Joy
Posted on | October 1, 2007 at 8:27 am | 6 Comments
Pet Peeve Of The Day: Entropy. My 17+ year old washing machine gave out (again) this weekend. The last time it died was, I dunno, 10 years ago or so. I had it fixed at that time instead of getting a new one, but I think I should just buy a new one this time. I don’t know exactly what happened. It ruined a load of laundry by covering it with dark (rust?) spots. Looked like the water was dirty. And then the hot water feed stopped working. It actually looks okay now if I want to wash in cold water only, but I don’t know if I should chance it.
So anyway I went shopping for a new washer/dryer this weekend, and that was no fun. I figure it makes more sense to replace both, since they’re the same age and all. Plus, there’s this recurring problem somewhere in the system where parts of clothes will suddenly change color (like from green to orange), and I suspect that issue is with the dryer instead of the washer. But apparently dryer technology has changed since I bought the old one, which I got with the house. They’re deeper or they need more room or something. It looks like it will be difficult (or impossible?) to find one that fits in the space of the old one. They really did make my laundry nook too small when they built my house. And the sales people are sure big on these new “high efficiency” washers that use less water and don’t get off balance. They say the old inefficient types won’t be around much longer. Now I’m not sure what to do.
My refrigerator and dishwasher are the same age, so I’m just waiting for them to pick the most inconvenient time to die also. I should just replace them all at once, but I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be in this house. It’s getting too small and everything is breaking down!
Also, my slimline reading glasses broke this weekend, the ones I touted somewhere in this post. Luckily, the carrying pouch is still intact, but now I have to find some replacements of the proper size.
The Universe hates me. And the Broncos.
Latre.
Comments
6 Responses to “Homeowning Joy”
October 1st, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
I have a terrible time with faded blotches on certain fabrics. Green-to-orange is a common one; it must have something to do with the pigments. I always assumed it was a combination of less-fade-resistant dyes combined with some wacky personal skin pH, but Ask Metafilter seems to think it has more to do with detergent.
xo,
Heloise
October 1st, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Very interesting, Eddy – thanks for doing my research. I like your skin pH theory. I use liquid detergent, dissolve it first in water before adding clothes, and change brands from time to time. So I don’t think it’s that. However, I have been known to overload the washer, so that could certainly be a problem. It seems to happen more to certain colors, though maybe it’s more dependent on the fabrics.
October 1st, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
Get yerself one of those washer/dryer combo things. That will save room for more laundry soap!
(Then buy me one and have it shipped to Australia!)
thnx
FSY xxxx
October 1st, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
The frontloading washers are a good thing. We finally had to replace our washer (which came with the house ten years ago, and was old then) last winter. After a minor period of adjustment (during which we realized that when it said it required the “high efficiency” detergent, it meant it: oversuds otherwise), it’s been great. Can’t tell you ’bout the new dryers, though – ours is still working.
Apparently the Rockies are in the Universe’s good graces, however. Those Padres must’ve been worshipping the wrong deity.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
It should be interesting to see if you’re more content once you get a front-loading washer. ‘Cause 2fs is right – they are the key to happy and water-efficient washing.
October 2nd, 2007 @ 11:12 pm
Weird – the new energy efficient washers they showed me were not front-loading…