So after the washing machine incident of 20-and-16, I had some clean-up to deal with. There was the not-so-small matter of getting a new washer as well as addressing the load of clothes that had been in the old washer when it decided to fight water with fire. Neither task was enviable, and, as it happened, neither task ended up being too ugly.

 

I found myself a floor model washer/dryer for half price (yippee!) and it was delivered and installed yesterday. It seems to be quieter than the old one, which is definitely a bonus. I also think it may be more efficient. All in all, I expect to be quite happy with this new washer. Fingers crossed, anyway.

 

As for the funkified clothes that witnessed the washing machine fire up-close and personal, they needed some attention. I suspected the smokey odor would respond well to a quick rinse. But the bigger problem was the grease that had gotten on some of the clothes. (I think the grease leaked out and somehow got inside the drum when the guts of the machine went ka-put. Ugh.) My friend Nicole texted me to say she’d done a quick online search and thought maybe some good, old-fashioned, dish-washing Dawn would do the trick. I mean, that’s what environmentalists use to clean baby ducks after oil spills, so surely it was worth a try to get some oil spots out of my cute-as-pie summer tops. I mention those cute clothes because I don’t have too many of them. Most of my stuff is utilitarian and more worthy of paint spills. I can’t help it, as I yam what I yam. Anyhoo – I stationed myself and my greasy clothes by the kitchen sink and started spot-cleaning. And you know what? It worked! Every single spot came out with a bit of hand scrubbing. Good old Dawn.

 

I was a bit stressed about the possibility of losing some of my nice clothes. Fortunately, my friend came through with a solution. I know they say “it takes a village,” but sometimes it only takes a villager.  Lucky for me, I know a few nice villagers, and they’re awesome. Just like my cute-as-pie summer tops.