How I (Laurie) Overloaded My Washing Machine

Hi, My name is Laurie and I wanted to share with you how I overloaded my washing machine. I consider myself an expert at overloading washing machines. I then get to watch it dance across the floor pulling pipes, plugs and even sheet rock with it. My motto was, if it fits in the washer, it is getting washed. I actually have a feature on my machine that supposedly will stop if it gets overloaded. Not so. My machine with this non-overloading feature puts disco dancing to shame. I finally conceded to the fact that I had to learn how to load it correctly. It was that or the laundry mat. I consider the laundromat to be on par with a root canal, which I also avoid.

I understand now that it isn’t so much as how full you make it, it is more about the combination of clothes you put in it. For instance, you can put 6 towels in one load and the washer will be fine. If you put one towel in with delicate things like underwear and socks, your machine will dance to the music. The important thing is to make sure the clothes are around the same weight. The other problem with overloading a washer is that the clothes won’t get cleaned. I thought I was saving money on water if I did one load that was big. I realized that a new washer was going to cost a lot more than the water. The other thing is, when you use an appliance the way it is meant to be used, you are actually saving energy.

I couldn’t talk about washing machines with out mentioning laundry soap. As I stated earlier in article, I have found myself at the laundromat, because I broke the washer. One day when I went to the laundromat, I did my usual stuffing of clothes. (I hadn’t learned my lesson yet). I forgot to mention that I was always pretty lavish with the laundry soap as well. No moderation for me, the more the better. I am at the laundromat, swearing under my breath about having to do this. So I stuff the washer and pour in enough laundry detergent for the whole laundromat. Next thing I know the washer is spewing out soap and people are starting to watch me. Thank God the laundry attendants are trained in the art of diplomacy. Dr. Suess wrote a book about a fish. The little boy in the book was told to feed the fish only so much and no more. Well he over fed the fish just like I overfed the washer. It didn’t end well for the fish any more than it did for me.

The moral of this story is: don’t over load the washer with clothes or soap. Follow the directions for both and you and your washer will make beautiful music together.