December 13, 2006 8:14 AM
The continuing laundry crisis
Sears is finally coming today to fix my washer.
I've been to busy to share the aftermath of my trip to the laundromat with a week's worth of clothes for eight people. Yikes! Those washers are so teensy - and so expensive! It cost me almost $30 in quarters just to get my clothes clean, so I opted not to use the dryers but shlepped the heavy baskets full of wet clothes home instead.
Since the commercial washers fail to spin out all the excess moisture they should, I had to run each load through my dryer 2 or 3 times, which meant I went to bed at 12:30 - then woke up at 2:00 and 4:00 to keep things moving so the clothes wouldn't mildew.
Since then, at my hubby's suggestion, we've been wearing our outer clothing several times before putting items in the dirty clothes. I'm simply amazed at how this simple strategy has cut our laundry in half. I mean I haven't done laundry since Friday and yet we all still have stuff to wear!
I intend to keep up this practice – at least during the winter.
Anyway, I’m praying that the washer won’t need a part but will actually begin to do its usual job today. Ben and Zach are coming home from Liberty U. Friday and I’m sure they will not have done their laundry since Thanksgiving.
Do I mind doing their laundry? No, not at all. I know some moms are really adamant about this kind of stuff, but I’m all for division of labor. The men in my hose – including the college guys when they’re home – all do stuff I am all too happy not to have to do myself. Like cleaning up after a toilet has overflowed, stacking wood, taking care of the garage and cars and outside stuff. I don’t mind at all doing their laundry!
Oh, I’m so excited! It’s 8:15 and the Sears man just called – he’s on his way! Be still my heart! My washing machine and I will be reunited soon!
Lord, please meet me in the laundry room!
Comments
Our family had a laundramat experience recently also. With only 4 people it cost me over $25.00 to wash & dry our clothing. It really made my boys grateful that we don't have to do this every week.
We also wear our clothing for more than one day, when it's still clean enough to do so. It really does save alot on the extra laundry and expense. However, with two young boys (5&7) that doesn't always happen. They enjoy life and play hard and their clothes show the days experiences on them.
I would whole-heartedly agree on the division of labor. I do the cooking, cleaning & laundry and the boys(and Dad) do the yard work, take care of the pets and house maintenance. I'm thankful for that!
Posted by: Jpeters | December 13, 2006 9:12 AM
schlep...what a PERFECT word for this experience ; )
Posted by: floorplan | December 13, 2006 12:49 PM
Barbara- I'm all for wearing outer clothing a couple of times before throwing it in the wash, as long as it looks and smells clean. :)
Since we are on the topic of laundry, I MUST share my favorite tip..... I have 3 boys, and they are constantly getting mud or food on their clothing. My favorite laundry tip is OXICLEAN. I use the dry powdered stuff to soak their soiled clothing, and sometimes I get the stain with OXICLEAN spray before I soak it. This stuff is awesome, and keeps clothes looking nice. I even used a more intensive soak for getting out 2-3 year old stains off my baby clothes. I got the onesie ( or whatever it was) wet, then made a paste of oxiclean, put it over the old stain and let it sit for 12-24 hours. It was AMAZING what came out of my used baby clothes! One word of caution, never SCRUB the oxiclean into the clothes, or it will fade them.
Posted by: Lisa | December 13, 2006 1:41 PM
