Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Dirt on Cleaning Appliances

                                                             

I'm not just writing this blog, I'm cleaning my dishwasher and washing machine. My dishwasher has caked on residue from excessive powder buildup. For some reason the liquid detergents, and time released tablets don't dissolve in my dishwasher, so I've been using the old fashioned powder formula. It's reached the point that my younger son even commented on how awful the inside looked, and generously offered to clean it for a small fee. Remarkably, my dishes are still coming out clean, and no one has dropped dead at this writing.

My washing machine is also causing strange problems. The dark colors come out fine, but light colors often come out with a single brownish line, even when they're washed inside out. The manufacturer told me to wash the machine out with bleach which only works for a few loads until it sneaks up on an unsuspecting white shirt.

Currently, I'm washing out both machines, which is probably the equivalent of putting on a band aid. My hope is that I won't have to replace either machine for as long as possible, or at least until April. Yes, my motives are purely selfish. My birthday is later this month, and I don't want an appliance as a present. I still haven't gotten over the Dustbuster my husband bought me, after our younger son was born.


36 comments:

  1. Hope you sort things out soon.
    Can you get my blog as someone has told me they have trouble getting mine.
    Yvonne.

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  2. I'm knocking wood that mine stay streak and residue free. And Happy Birthday early!

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  3. I know what you mean, Julie. I hate getting presents like that. Come to think of it my birthday and Christmas presents are combined to keep my car on the road ie. tax, insurance, MOT and service. I shouldn't complain - that adds up to a lot of money!
    Our oven had to be replaced last year. I was hoping for a new kitchen first (fat chance!) and it looks ridiculously spectacular against the shoddy cupboards!
    The bath had to be replaced, too, and this up-to-date white one makes the 37 year-old pink sink and loo look ridiculous. A mallet might do the job!
    I hope your washing machine and dishwasher hold out until you're ready.

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  4. It figures they would both give you trouble at the same time. That's always the way of it, isn't it. I hope you can get them working properly again. I would miss my clothes washer much more than my dishwasher.

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  5. Yvonne - I didn't have any trouble with your blog. Sorry that Danny's wife has been so ill.

    Carol - "Streak" is exactly the word I was looking for! Hopefully, your machines will continue running smoothly. Thanks Carol!

    Fanny - It is hard when one new appliance really sticks out in a room. Sorry that you've had to undergo so many expensive home, and car repairs. It's great that you still have your sense of humor! Thanks Fanny!

    Daisy - On most days I would also miss my washing machine more than my dishwasher. Though when my son comes home, or we have a big holiday dinner, the dishwasher really comes in handy. Thanks Daisy!

    Julie

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  6. Happy early birthday and I hope you figure out where the streaks come from.

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  7. No! No appliances for presents! Men of the world, take heed…or else.

    And a pre-emptive Happy Birthday to you, Julie. :)

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  8. Inger - It's been an ongoing mystery! Thanks Inger!

    Luanne - You are absolutely right! Our daughters-in-law will appreciate this one day. Thanks Luanne!

    Julie

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  9. Both machines on the blink at the same time... Murphy's law in action!
    Hope you sort it out soon Julie...

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    Replies
    1. Michelle - It could always be worse. The timing just struck me funny though. Thanks Michelle!

      Julie

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  10. Hah! I'm thinking if there's a way of making a washing machine suitable for a birthday gift. How about a washing machine that paid you compliments when you loaded it and giggled like Scooby Doo when you pushed its buttons?

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  11. My old washing machine just keeps on working and working. Of course I only use it about once a week now so it will probably last a long time. I really like the idea of the washing machine that giggles and compliments you. I wonder if my husband would do that when he loads my machine.

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  12. Hi Julie,
    Try Lemi-Shine for your dishwasher run the dishwasher empty with just Lemi-Shine and your dishwasher will look brand new! You can get it at the Jewel or your local hardware store. I sell appliances at Abt and we sell a washing machine cleaner which I would think you could also pick up at the Jewel too.
    Hope all is well with you and keep writing!

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  13. I hope they don't go out too. Especially if you may receive them as a present for your birthday. My hubby bought me a bread maker the first year we were married. I don't bake. He loves bread. hmmm, wonder why it's collecting dust on top of the fridge? =PP

    Elsie
    AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

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  14. Dustbuster! Yikes. What was the man thinking????

    Happy early birthday. I hope the hubs buys you something *nice.*

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  15. Two large bottles of vinegar should do the trick. One for each machine. Run then on a short cycle. It should clean the pipes, too.

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  16. Shelly's idea is good. Vinegar is my go-to.

    My husband and I have taken to buying each other a "needed" gift for Christmas, rather than multiple things we don't really need. It's not as exciting, for sure, but helps with the budget!

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  17. Gorilla - What a fantastic idea! This could be a great incentive for kids to do their own laundry. I'd prefer a more masculine version like Liam Neeson for myself; though I can't quite picture him giggling!

    Yvonne - I don't do as much laundry when our son is away at school. I also love Gorilla's idea!

    Melissa - I just ordered a similar product directly from Kitchen Aid. If it doesn't come in soon, I'll pick up a container of Lemi-Shine. Now if everything still falls apart, I know who to ask for at ABT! Thank you so much Melissa!

    Elsie - Maybe his mom loved to bake bread, so he thought you would too. It's funny how some men would never dream of just asking us what we want.

    Robin - It's not a big birthday, but I just like something slightly more personal. Thanks Robin!

    Shelly - I'll definitely try vinegar for the washing machine. Thanks for the great suggestion!

    Julie - "Needed" gifts are fine. There are always things around the house that need to be fixed, or updated. Many items of clothing, or a new pair of glasses all fall under the heading of practical, yet more personal than appliances. I agree that it makes more sense than loading up on things that you'll never use.

    Julie

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  18. Have you tried white vinegar, as Shelly suggested?

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  19. Isn't it ironic? Our old washing machine never needed to be... washed... but our new fancy front-end loader with all kinds of bells and whistles... does. I actually have to buy a special product just to wash the washer. I mean, why doesn't the detergent we use to wash our clothes also wash our washer? I don't get it...

    Good luck with getting your appliances properly subdued and under your control again. And an early happy birthday! (Just in case I forget later...)

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  20. Susan - If the bleach that I added yesterday doesn't help, my next step will be white vinegar. Thanks Susan and Shelly!

    Susan - Isn't it amazing how the older machines rarely flared up at all? It reminds me of the old Maytag repairmen commercials where no one ever needed to call them, because their machines always ran smoothly. Thanks Susan!

    Julie

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  21. If my husband had bought me a dustbuster as a present, he would not be in a position to do such a thing ever again.

    Sorry you are having so much trouble. Living in an apartment, our washers and dryers are maintained by an outside company. No dishwasher sadly.

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    1. Jo - Great opening line! Where were you when I needed you?! It just so happened that my old dustbuster stopped working shortly after our son was born, so my hubby bought a new one. It was never presented as a gift, but I tried to get a lot of mileage out of the story anyway. It's nice that you don't have to worry about your washer and dryer. Thanks Jo!

      Julie

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  22. Did you husband get hit over the head with that dustbuster? :D
    Happy early birthday, Julie!!

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  23. Hi Julie,

    Wow, such amazing multitasking. "'I'm not just writing this blog, I'm cleaning my dishwasher and washing machine." You must have a bit of an Inspector Gadget thing going on....

    Possibly new appliances just in time for your upcoming birthday.....I know how to use a washing machine. Okay, one time I got really upset because it wouldn't work. I checked the back of it three times. Then I noticed the timer was set for a few hours later. Doh!

    Have a good weekend, Julie.

    Gary :)

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  24. Julie - I thought about it, but then he wouldn't be able to help me change diapers! Thanks Julie!

    Gary - My dad was the King of multitasking! He would read the paper, watch TV, and listen to the game on the radio all at the same time! That sneaky washing machine! It wasn't your fault, Gary! Hope you have a great weekend too!

    Julie

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  25. Hi Julie .. yes who needs a dishwasher or a washing machine for a birthday present .. not me! Hope the beloved has found something else for you! And keeping things clean isn't easy is it .. I hope you can get them both under your control.

    Multi-tasking .. I wonder where the day goes when I've done so much washing, or emptying the dishwater ... better get on today! Cheers Hilary

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  26. I would imagine your hubby learned his lesson from the dust buster. As for the dishwasher, my view matches that image, so I never use it. We save the dishwasher for dinner parties, so it hasn't been used enough to build up anything. And for your clothes, wear only dark colors until after your birthday.

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  27. Hilary - The suggestions have really helped, so I may be able to keep them running indefinitely. Yes, my "beloved" will not set foot in an appliance store until the end of spring. Hopefully, spring will arrive at some point, and he won't do any purchasing online!

    Rhonda - I am dressed in black from head to toe, and when I need to wear a lighter color, I simply shower in it at the end of the day. My hubby doesn't even mind going to work in a bed-sheet. Glad we're on the same page, Rhonda!

    Julie

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  28. Haha...fun post! Buy yes, we don't really want appliances as gifts, do we?

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    1. Nas - Maybe one day I will, but I'm not quite at that stage yet. Thanks Nas!

      Julie

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  29. It's just a matter of time until our washer craps out. I know what's wrong with it (water pump) but Mrs. Penwasser doesn't want me to spend money to replace it. Meanwhile, it puts out a horrific squeal when the machine is filling with water. Once that goes, the dryer isn't far behind. The refrigerator? It's fifteen years old, so it may be getting towards the end, as well. The dishwasher is okay so far. Oh crap, now I've done it...

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  30. Our washer started to crap out, but when I realized it would either be $300 to have someone fix it or $500 to buy another, I magically summoned the power to take it apart and fix it and now it's working again. A nagging wife can't really motivate me, but a $500 price tag sure can!

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  31. What husband would even think of giving his wife a washing machine or dust buster as a gift with all the modern ovens and stoves on the market? Happy Birthday, Julie!

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  32. Al - I hope that your appliances don't all conk out at once. Like Rosanne Rosannadanna used to say, " It's always something."

    A Beer For The Shower - I'm impressed that you were able to fix your washing machine. You are a man of many talents!

    JJ - Well, those items are much more personal. Thanks a lot, JJ!

    Julie

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