Response to Week 11 Challenge: Washer, Dryer, Laundry Room

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Guest Writer

We have laundry to do every day in our house. Our “laundry room” is in the unfinished part of our cellar. It’s not a place I like to hang out.

It’s been a while

I’ve always washed the exterior of my appliances and have done some wiping of the inside of the washing machine, but it’s been hubby who has replaced the dryer hose. Apparently it’s been a really looooong time since the last time the dryer hose was replaced because the plastic was so brittle that it cracked and tore at the base when he touched it.

Two things: plastic isn’t up to code so we replaced with the correct foil type, and we think there must have been a leak in the hose for a long time which would explain why there was so much dryer lint in the room above the dryer. Not sure, but maybe. Anyway, it’s taken care of now.

**The plastic dryer hose was so old the plastic was brittle and cracked/tore when we were removing it.**

**Remove the O-ring clamp that holds the hose to the outside vent. Then remove the clamp that holds the hose to the dryer.**

**Look at the lint build-up at the outside vent!**

**The lint build-up in the hose near the top of the hose (almost at the 8-foot mark!) is incredible!**

**This end of the hose closest to the dryer is compacted with dryer lint, too!**

The only tools we needed

We didn’t take off the back of the dryer, this time around. Next time we will remove the back and see how much lint has built up over the years! Because we were replacing and not cleaning the dryer hose we only needed a ratchet screw driver and a new foil dryer hose (8-feet long). Having two people do the job helps as one can hold a flashlight to brighten the area or hold the hose in place while the clamp screw is being tightened. We bagged the old dryer hose and discarded it.

**The new foil dryer hose is up to code and looking good.**

**Just have to wash the floor before putting the dryer back in place and the lint should be contained in the new dryer hose! I will definitely be checking that the hose stays in place!**

**The dryer wasn’t dirty at all inside but I gave it a good wipe down with liquid Comet. Love the scent of Meadow Fresh!**

Cleaning the washing machine

My washing machine is fairly new. I did remove the liquid fabric softener dispenser and wiped down the spinner and drum but did not remove the spinner. I wiped cracks and crevices and cleaned the outside. Again, I used liquid Comet spray as I did when wiping down the dryer.

Other laundry room items

My iron and ironing board are in a closet on the first floor which is more convenient than being near the washer and dryer. But I do want to get a clothes steamer which I would store near the washer/dryer. I’ve used a clothes steamer on prom gowns and this is the one I would get, from Amazon (they have similar at Walmart but Amazon is less expensive and delivered to my door):

We already have two or three folding clothes drying racks which are put to use almost daily. I used to have an outdoor clothesline. Now the drying racks take its place.

Check out these items for your laundry room.
And this is the “after” photo:

**Going to test out the shelf unit and see if it’s needed. I do want to get wire shelves that hang over the washer/dryer.**

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