Making laundry fun again… for a while

November 22, 2013

by — Posted in Other

Each month, we have several accounts that we contribute to. They’re usually pretty small amounts, but that way we are always saving toward those things. One of those accounts is our “large household item” accounts, which is where we purchase… well… large household items. We’ve bought things like our bed, book shelves, paint for walls, our office make-over, and many other things. And after the office make-over, we started saving for a new washer and dryer.

Here’s the old ones. Poor things. We bought them both, separately, when we were engaged and preparing to fill our house after our wedding. One was bought in Arkansas and one was bought in Kansas. When we moved our stuff in and put them both in the laundry closet, we discovered they were actually a match! So far, they have been hard workers, getting our laundry clean and dry. While the washer started not spinning out every time and had to be stopped and started again to work, the dryer has always worked great!

But after 6 years of service, I was ready to have something new.

I searched and searched for something that fit our budget and met my requirements.

  • First, I wanted a top loader. I know people have mixed opinions and some pretty strong ones against front loaders. But my research showed that front loaders are actually better at cleaning than top loaders, contrary to popular believe. The main reason I wanted a top loader was not my anti-front loader, but because I am forever adding things to the laundry after it’s started.
  • Next, I wanted high efficiency, without an agitator. Many people like the agitator, which I understand. The main reason I didn’t want it was because there’s more room in the bin for clothes and it’s less hard on clothes. It does, however, mean more tangled clothes sometimes.
  • Lastly, I wanted something with decent reviews. Now, just something to say about reviews. There are no good reviews about any washer, ever. Seriously, I read very few positive things about EVERY model I looked at, from front loaders, to HE, to the old agitator types. My conclusion, the only people who write reviews are angry. All machines have cons, and everyone has an opinion. I skipped this requirement.

I found several new ones at scratch and dents or close out places and a few on Craigslist. I was hesitant to buy a used one because I know that washers have a limited life time, but they were also quite a bit cheaper for a set a year or two older in a more upgraded version.

Finally, I found a set in a “nearby” town, which is actually like an hour away. It was 3 years old and the exact same model my sister-in-law has and loves for a mere $800, which was exactly what we have saved! Still a little hesitant at the idea of a used one, especially if it broke… but I decided if was going to break due to a manufacturing problem, it would probably have done so by now and if it breaks from over use, well, that’s my fault.

I drove all the way up there with the back seat out of the van, hoping they would fit. I was comforted by the fact that the seller was an older couple who weren’t super hard on them and she never had any issue with them. She just wanted something simpler. Luckily, she had ordered “something simpler” and they were delivering them when I got there because to be honest, the lady and I could NOT have lifted them and put them in my van. These guys (from Tucker’s, yet another reason they’re my favorite scratch ‘n dent in the area, highly recommend them!!) were so sweet as to load them in my van and even tie them down to ensure they wouldn’t get scratched or mess up my van.

As excited as I was to get them in it, I decided I’d better paint the room, because if I didn’t do it now, I wouldn’t ever get it done!

Finally setting it up!

Isn’t it beautiful! I’m so excited. I’ve had them for 2 weeks now and so far, I’m loving them. They are different than the agitator kind, but I’m very happy with my purchase. And I can do twice the laundry in ONE LOAD! That’s the part I love the most. I don’t hate laundry as much now… at least for a while.