Our washing machine died on December 23rd,
for the 4th time in about 15 months. I
was in the middle of a load of laundry (sheets and towels) in preparation for
Christmas guests. This time it wouldn’t spin, so I was left wringing everything
out by hand so I could load it into the dryer.
In the past, the water shut-off valve has gone, the load level sensor,
and a few other things. One good thing
about having a handyman for your significant other, is that there is always a
work around. Never anything wrong with
the machine that can’t be fixed or modified (says Chris). After
all, it’s only 16 years old!! One
modification to avoid water all over the floor was turn the hot and cold water
taps off when it enters the last spin. It worked. But too many stressful things
to remember.
Chris and I had many a fight over the need
to buy a new one, but as long as there was a work around, why would we need a
new one? It died again on January 30th
– again with the spin, and enough was enough.
I can certainly see why couples split or divorce over appliances! I wanted a front loader, he didn’t. I wanted to upgrade the dryer too, and get
stackers, but he didn’t. Aarg!!
Off to town I went, on my own, with the Rav4 – all ready to carry home a new machine. Home Depot, Sears, Trail
Appliance, McGyvers, - can you believe nobody has machines in stock. They only
have them on the floor so you cannot drive home with one. They have to come from the warehouse. I settled on a Whirlpool from Sears, top
loader without an agitator. Seems there are not that many old fashioned ones with
agitators any more. Sears delivers to
Bowen. It arrived on Thursday, and I
used it last night for the first time.
Yikes – its weird. It has all
these sensors - and I thought I got one
that had the least electronics!!!. I
fear electronic things – they can’t be fixed normally. But it works.!!! I hope I didn't make a mistake with the choice.
Here is the new washer!
If we discover that they just don't make
washers like they used to, and this new machine doesn't last as long as it
should, I'm going to invest in a wooden barrel and a washboard. The
concept of chores on weekends could take on a whole new meaning....
And good riddance to this old washer! We just have to get it to the recycling center now.
