Christmas Day 2013 – the day the washing machine broke.
This would be devastating to most families, but as a twin mom I can tell you it is life altering.
Kids generate a lot of laundry. Toilet training twin boys generate mountains of laundry!
From their teeny tiny preemie clothes to their snowsuits, mitts and hats it has been a never ending stream of laundry since the moment my boys were born (now 2.5 years old).
I honestly have no idea how large families manage their laundry. At our house we do 1-2 loads of laundry a day. I sometimes question if this is excessive. Do we wash their clothes too often? Are my boys abnormally messy children?
Regardless we needed to solve our washer dilemma. Having only had our washer for 6 years we called a repair shop and asked for a technician to come out. He came, decided it was a timer issue, ordered a timer and came back a week later to install it. Once installed, the washer still didn’t work, he realized it was a mechanism that moved the barrel. It would be $200 to repair it. Since it wasn’t an expensive washer we felt that it wasn’t worth the cost. After paying a ridiculous bill for the service person who did nothing we began the hunt for a washer.
Call me old fashioned but I really prefer the top loading washing machines. I know that front loaders hold more, use less water and are certainly more stylish, I am content with a simpler style and quite honestly a much cheaper price.
I went to my nearest department stores. I was told about options, and spin cycles and fabric softener release mechanisms, high efficiency, standard efficiency, gas and electric. I heard about warranties, delivery charges, and removal of our old washer. I calculated the numbers, looked at delivery date options and felt the pressure to make a decision.
But, I decided to go and check out a smaller, local business and see if they could compete with the bigger stores. Turns out, they could. Their delivery fee was $100 cheaper, and the washer was $50 less. I bought it right then and there. I left happy, confident in my purchase and pleased that I supported a local business and saved some money.
Delivery date is estimated to be next Tuesday or Wednesday. So, if you need me this weekend, I’ll be at the Laundromat.
Nicole Boyhouse says
Ooooh. The washer going – that is a major problem! I do at least one load a day, and my kids aren’t even small. I don’t know how we generate so much laundry but we do.
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Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel says
Yes, laundry is one of the things that drives me crazy. Doing it somewhere outside of my home is not at all ideal. Hoping to get confirmation of a delivery date of the new one asap!
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..Tales of Twin Mom Laundry
Randalin (@HarvestingKale) says
Oh my – on Christmas day?! While potty training!?
I hated the days I had to go to the laundromat when I was in university – and I was only washing for one. Good luck tackling the mountain of laundry this weekend!
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Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel says
Yes, it’s been crazy. We’ve spent some quality time at the laundromat. Fingers crossed our new washer will arrive early this week!
Deanna T. (@MapleLeafMommy) says
Given how much laundry you go through, have you been *living* at the laundry mat? Love supporting the little guy! Always pays to check with local over chain.