Yesterday morning I woke up to the sound of rain. Actually, that’s not true. I woke up to the sound of Caroline calling “Mama! Mama! Mama!” and then I heard the rain. It was 6:00 a.m. and a full hour before we actually needed to be awake. So I did what all wise mothers do in this type of situation. I poured her a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, turned on Tom & Jerry, told her that Daddy was up if she needed anything, and then crawled back in bed for another hour.
She woke me up at 7:00 a.m. with all the gentleness and subtlety of a pack of wild dogs. I helped her get dressed which means I suggested various outfits while she repeatedly laughed and mocked all my suggestions. Fortunately this process was short-lived because we were in the midst of a clean clothing shortage due to our washing machine issues.
After I dropped her off at school I came home and put on something other than workout clothes because I had plans to meet my friend Steph to go shopping. The rain was pouring down so I called her to make sure she really wanted to go because I would have totally understood if she wanted to drop her kids off at school and spend the day watching Lifetime movies. I’m not saying that I know anyone like that; I just hear it’s what some people like to do on rainy days.
Steph said she was still up for the challenge if I was and we agreed that our shopping time was worth the risk of running all over town looking like two drowned rats. And it was. We had the best time shopping, found a couple of cute things ON SALE, and we even got to meet Gulley for lunch because Tuesdays are her half-days.
While we were at lunch I pulled my phone out and placed it on the table because I was waiting on a call that I didn’t want to miss, the call letting me know that the Sears repairman was on his way to my house. I kind of felt nervous and apprehensive like I used to feel before going out on a blind date because you know there’s a good chance that something ugly is about to happen.
Naturally he called right as I was on my way to pick Caroline up from school. I told him I’d be home in ten minutes and begged him not to leave me in my time of laundry trouble and sorrow. As I drove to get Caroline I prayed that our washing machine issues would turn out to be something a little less serious than a whacked-out motherboard.
By the time I got home, P was in the laundry room with Hugo the Sears repairman. I never dreamed that I would fall in love with a mustachioed man named Hugo in a striped short-sleeve dress shirt with “Sears” embroidered on it, but I did. I fell in love with Hugo when I walked through the back door and he informed P and me that the problem wasn’t with our motherboard. In fact, our motherboard has never looked better.
I don’t know if that’s true, but I like that way it sounds. Like maybe she got some Botox and appears refreshed.
The problem was a clogged drain. That’s what the F2! F2! F2! meant. However, the repairman who came out on Monday allegedly cleaned the drain and it didn’t fix the problem, so he jumped to conclusions and blamed the poor motherboard who was only trying to use her powers for good.
Repairman #1 (as he shall be forever known) didn’t have the tenacity of my dedicated Hugo. Hugo would not rest until our drain was clean. He used bleach and some kind of magical tablets because apparently our biggest issue was that the washer had never been cleaned. Am I the only one who didn’t know you’re supposed to run a cycle with just a cup of bleach once a month? We have been living like savages.
Hugo pulled out all manner of gunk from our drain and even some assorted pieces of metal which I take full responsibility for because I am forever leaving empty shotgun shells in the pockets of my hunting pants.
When he was finally satisfied that the washer was clean (I am not even kidding when I tell you that he wiped out the entire rubber gasket around the door even though it had nothing to do with our problem) Hugo stood up and announced that the washer appeared to be as good as new. There is a possibility we might need a new pump, but if we have anymore problems in the next 90 days all we have to do is call Hugo and he’ll get us one for 15% off. Hugo completes me.
He also let us know that our dryer is spectacular and will last for “forty or sixty years” if we just remember to clean out the lint. In fact, he said it would last long past our washer which makes total sense considering that we paid about $900 less for it and all you do is turn a knob.
And last night I did laundry with enthusiasm. I washed towels, sheets, colors and whites with a renewed appreciation for the convenience of newfangled technology that allows you to wash clothes in the privacy of your own home with little to no effort.
Now if only someone would fold it and put it all away.
Skip to Comment Form
I love guys like Hugo who go above and beyond.
I find stuff from T’s pants in the washer all the time…mostly shredded up business cards, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find a shell casing or two.
I have to admit (so you don’t feel so bad) that I too have been living like a savage! I had no idea about the whole cup of bleach thing. Shame on me.
I was wondering if Caroline ever settles on any of your ensemble choices. My 3 1/2 year old shares her “preferences” with me almost every day. So far, I am able to strong-arm her into wearing what I want her to, but I am fearful of what the future might hold.
On my way out of town for the MOPS conference in Nashville…looking forward to catching up on your blog when I get back.
Congratulations! There’s nothing like a few days without a washer to make you thankful for one again…Kind of like when you lose power during a storm and suddenly once it comes back on you’re telling everyone around you, “Look! It’s that easy, just flip the switch!”
I laughed at you leaving your shotgun shells in your hunting pants. Gotta train Caroline early to throw those things away before putting her hunting pants in the pile!
If you figure out the folding and putting away business let me know. Getting clean laundry around here isn’t a problem at all but somehow it can’t find it’s way to the drawer that it belongs in.
I, too, have gotten this same error. I, too, called my moustachioed repair man. I eagerly watched over his shoulder when he finally got to my drain. And then watched in horror as he pulled out a foam bra cup from a bathing suit two summers ago. I guess it was perfectly cupping the drain hole and not letting the water drain fast enough. We both tried to act like we didn’t know what it was…. Thanks for the laugh.
Yea for Hugo! If you have a front-load machine (which it sounds like you do), you get these tablets called Affresh at Lowe’s. Run a hot/hot cycle once a month with a tablet and it’s supposed to keep your washer clean. They say it does more than bleach. Whoever they are.
This same thing happened to us, but we googled our model name and number and “F2 error” and were able to find out that it’s usually just a clogged drain that you can empty yourselves. Made us feel all handy and stuff, plus saved us some money. Google can be your best friend sometimes!
I’m sorry I had to quit reading mid-post to go run my washing machine with a cup of bleach. Apparently I have been living like a savage for 15 years and didn’t even have a clue. I feel so dirty.
Can you send Hugo up here to Georgia for a little while? Maybe he can fix my fridge and is more tenacious than repairman #1 and #2 that said it couldn’t be done.
Happy Laundry!!!
We had a similar problem… though it was with our dryer. Our “Hugo” came out and tried to turn it on and very sad stated, “It doesn’t look good ma’am. My initial assessment is that it appears to be the motor.”
TWO year old dryer…
He went inside… looked around… dumbfounded he pulled his head out of the dryer to say, ‘Well, I was wrong. Motor looks great. Not sure what the problem is.”
Dismantled the back of the dryer and said things looked fine there as well. Then dealt with the lint tray. (I have to tell you this is where I thought he was FOR SURE just pulling at straws!! Seemed fairly pointless to me) UNTIL… he spotted it. Way at the bottom… between where the tray ended and where the big tube that carried hot air to the outside of hte house began… a black men’s Polo work sock. Oh yes, trapped in the back side of the motor begging to be freed.
And our “Hugo” did just that. Freed the sock. And charged my visa 120$ for doing so!!
Hail to the “Hugo’s” of the world!!! The 700 dollar an hour sock retrieving “Hugo’s” of this world!!!
I, too, have seen the dreaded f2 signal. Then the washer wouldn’t spin. After 7 years of use, we had to replace the motor. The repair guy pulled out all kinds of things that were caught in the motor compartment, such as hair clips, pebbles, plastic scraps. Then he humiliated me by giving me a lesson on cleaning out the pockets of my family’s pants. As if I didn’t know after doing laundry for a family of six. Apparently someone (no way was it moi) missed a few. Hugo should give lessons in the bedside manner of repairmen.
Go Hugo,Go!! I hope you called his boss to let him know what a great job he did. So many times people call and report lack of service, but don’t call and say what a great job someone did. Hugo may need a promotion!
I felt that my life would not be complete until I had a gold-plated Maytag Neptune, and it has been nothing but trouble.
Neptune continually whines about SUDS, SUDS, SUDS, SUDS and insists on eating money, screws and paper clips.
Luckily, my accountant husband has become my very own live-in Hugo. He’s had Neptune’s pump off no less than THIRTY times and has replaced it FOUR times in five years.
If Neptune were a horse we would have shot
him a loooong time ago.
My washer decided to hit the ditch this past December. I had attended a wedding that I was embarrassingly 2 hours early for (I helped out, so it was no big thing), went home in between engagements and Hubs announced, “The washer died.” It did? “It’s clanking and I can’t fix it. The bearing went out.” So, I had to haul my laundry to my parents house the next day. Turns out it was a lovely bonding moment since my mother decided to stand and fold family underwear with me. I did notice one thing. My mother’s washer was equal to the medium sized load of my just-then dead washer. The washer that I have now? It is extra large capacity! That would be two of mom’s washers. May it or the motherboard that I don’t think it has ever go out.
Good tip on the bleach load. I do it a few times a year, but will bump up to once a month or so. Thanks for trying to save the internet from your pain.
We just moved into our house in July and the washing machine was part of the deal…course so was the dryer but they, ahem, neglected to tell us it did not heat. I had to learn that one from the repairman who informed me that, ‘Oh yeah, I was in this house a year ago and told them to get the hose cleaned out.”
The new dryer works like a charm though.
I’m off to run a cycle of bleach now just in case…
I didn’t know you had to clean your washing machine. Isn’t it self cleaning? How does bleach clean out rocks and socks and such? My washer isn’t capable of telling me things like F2, so maybe I won’t deal with this problem.
eh, folded laundry is overrated! I also had NO idea about the bleach cycle once a month!
I’m so happy that your laundry woes have come to a close. Or should I say “clothes”? Hmm. Either way, it works. Like your washer.
Man, my wit knows no end this morning… looks like it will be a good day!
So glad that it is fixed! And I couldn’t agree with you more, if I could only pay someone to fold it and put it away I would be set!
You are a hoot! I don’t have a blog but I LOVE reading yours. Unfortunately my husband is not a Mr.Fixit but I do love men like Hugo who can work miracles on appliances.I too have a Caroline, by the name of Emily(6)who we almost named Caroline. I feel your pain regarding picking out clothes everyday. I hear “that looks dumb” or “I am NOT wearing that”. I have learned that as long as it covers everything its supposed to, its clean and it will keep her warm/cool then its not worth the fight. I like things to match so it has been really hard to give up control but has made my life a lot happier. LOL! I live in Virginia with my husband and 2 kids, work full time at Virginia Tech. I started reading your blog after seeing your blog on Kelly’s Korner. Just thought I would drop you a note and let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog.
Okay, please tell me. Just one cup of bleach? Nothing else? Do you put it in the bleach dispenser or in the bottom of the washer, like you would detergent? Hot water, I assume?
My washer went out the last time I was pregnant, and I kept telling the people on the phone, “I am eight months pregnant and have been without a washer for two weeks. Send a repairman NOW!”
So this time around, I need to be prepared. It wasn’t pretty.
You have P! I need Hugo! Is he willing to relocate to Mississippi (or I might could be persuaded to relocate to Texas! Just don’t tell the codependent ones who always tell me I can NEVER, EVER leave here!!)!!
I too had a major front loader problem – STENCH! Smelled like stinky diapers x a million. I was ready to pull the trigger on $2000 worth of plumbing work because I was told by a handyman that it was due to improper plumbing.
Thank goodness I talked to my sister, who told me to do a wash with a gallon of vinegar every month. I did, and it cleared the problem up immediately. So if you want another option, there you go.
YAY, Hugo saves the day!!!!!
Does he cook, too?!
oh dear.
bleach?
really?
once a month?
will you be having a savage convention soon?
They actually sell stuff designed to clean a front loader at Walmart. I put one of those little packages in about every 6 weeks, and it really keeps the stench away. I just hate bleach, and my husband can’t stand the smell of vinegar. These fresh-smelling little miracles do the trick! But I still think it’s a little ironic that you have to CLEAN a machine that is designed to CLEAN. There’s something just wrong about that.
I didn’t know that you were suppose to run bleach through the washer. Wow. I am so glad that it got fixed. If you find someone who puts away laundry let me know.
We bought our washer in 1997. I have never run a cycle of bleach and water only.
But dangit, I’m about to put the computer down and go do such a thing.
I’ll let you know how many times my husband calls me “goofy” and “water waster” and “what on earth are you doing?”
He’s so supportive.
What… I had no idea that I was supposed to run a cycle with a cup of bleach once a month. Interesting. I may need to do this… and soon!
Maybe we should have a savage support group. I have never heard of the bleach trick.
My husband is probably the only person besides Hugo that knew you are supposed to run a cycle with bleach once a month. He asked me just last week if I had been doing that, and I informed him that I use bleach when I wash the sheets from our bed and that was good enough for me!
Wait, a periodic cup of bleach, you say?
*takes off feathers, shells and warpaint*
I mean, um, of course I knew that. No savagery for me, thanks!
You crack me up! I had to laugh while I read most of this post. You made my morning…thank you! You know how to put into words, what I feel most of the time. I also learned quite a bit from this post! I also “knew” that you were supposed to run a cleaning cycle once a month. I mean, who could not, it’s something that is taught to you in your premarital counseling class, right?!
It really is much worse to fold it and put it all away. I usually just let mine get wrinkly and we pull things from the “wrinkly clean clothes” basket, give it a good shake, and perhaps a spritz or 2 of Downy’s wrinkle releaser and then we’re off
the only problem is that our clean clothes hamper and our dirty clothes hamper look remarkably similar so you have to carefully sniff everything before you wear it, just to be on the safe side.
I’m so happy for you. I must also note that anyone named “Hugo” has to be a good person…that’s my grandfather’s name and he’s always been able to fix everything for me.
I want a Hugo! And if that laundry fairy ever shows up to do the folding and putting away, let me know so I can send you my address
Okay, shot gun shells in the wash. Now, that’s a new one. I have found coins, a complete wallet, and a gate key, but no shells.
When my husband was single and invited to weddings, did he pick out something nice from the couples registry? No. He would give the couple a Reader’s Digest Appliance Fix-It Manual. He gets the “thanks” later.
Go Hugo Go! Yep, mama’s need a laundry fairy that waves a magic wand & poof all the laundry is properly folded, hung, & away.
The problem with my washer is that it doesn’t like liquid fabric softener which clogs the little little liquid fabric softener dispensing tube & makes everything stinky. THEN WHY THE HECK IS THERE A PLACE FOR LIQUID FABRIC SOFTENER?!?! It’s a cruel, cruel joke played by the makers of my fancy washing machine.
I do run a hot/hot cycle with just bleach, but not once a month. I must try t o do better.
We have a Whirlpool Cabrio that did the same thing: F2. I don’t remember what it was but it got fixed and I remember how scared I was to not have a washing machine for two whole days. I would not have done well in the old days. I was forced by my husband to read the entire manual on the machines when we got them and I always just heartworm the dogs, run a bottle of cleaner through the dishwasher (oh, yeah- never thought of that one getting clogged eh? me either, til it did)and run a bleach cycle through the washer. I try to make it fun by drinking a Corona while I do it as a treat for all of those exhausting minutes I lose pushing a button but sometimes it is morning and I have Starbucks instead.
I am so jealous of your washer and dryer! I can’t have them in out apartment so we have to go to the laundary mat!!
My heart rejoices with you.
I was recently washerless WHILE my 2 and 5 year olds had a stomach virus. AND we had JUST moved into our new house the week before.
It was not pretty. But when it was fixed, I did the mountain of laundry like it was the greatest joy of my life.
May your washer and dryer live long and prosper. (I’m so not a trekkie – not sure why I said that…)
Oh, appliance woes. I feel your pain. Had more than my share. Glad Hugo came to the rescue.
Love your blog!
I’ve already been getting patronizing comments from Hubs for the last couple weeks because I DARED to put a lamp in my laundry room. Oh, the horror!
Now I’m going to run an empty load (!!)through a cycle with just a cup of bleach and he’s gonna think I’ve completely lost my mind.
That’s an empty load on Hot, right?
I think you have done your greatest service to the blog world by informing us of this bleach-once-a-month thing. You’d think the salespeople would mention that sometime…
could hugo swing by my house and fix my washer? my 3 yr old “top of the line” maytag will now no longer dispense fabric softener. maybe it to just needs a little bleach love. or hugo.
I hear you, sister. As a woman who has precisely 4 loads of CLEAN laundry on the floor of her bedroom, I can sympathize. I put them on the bed intending to fold and put away, and at bedtime my husband dumps them back on the floor…this usually goes on for several days before I get tired of the “clean laundry dance”.
Why do the washing and drying have to be so much easier than the putting away???
So glad that was the only problem – those things can get expensive!
Ah yes! The renewed appreciation for the washing machine after it has been on the fritz! I remember that…it doesn’t last long. I am praying for some enthusiasm in that department RIGHT NOW! I currently have to perform a “do- over” since the wrinkles are now set in before I could get to the folding. Now if all service folks were like Hugo! He sounds like a gem. They are hard to come by. My mother has had the same dryer for 35 years. I’m not joking, however it goes by a name which shall be dead to you. Enough rambling, I better go get to my do-over. And the bleach thing – is that for all washers? Both front and top loaders? Thanks! Glad you and your washer are back in the game.
Um, you are suppose to clean your washing machine once a month? You mean, all the soap I put in there 1 to 2 times a day (packed to the brim with narstay clothes) isn’t cleaning it?
Next you’re gonna tell me I’m suppose to clean out my dishwasher too, huh?
Cleaning appliances don’t need cleaning. It’s their J.O.B.
But I guess to make that inference I’d have to infer that THIS cleaning appliance (as I point to myself) never needs cleaning either. And I’m guessing you know that ain’t true.
LOL! I am a clean freak. My house doesn’t always look like it, but I am one. I don’t even run bleach through my washer BUT… and this is a big but… I never use powdered detergent or fabric softener in the washer. Those are the biggest offenders for clogging up the washer (or dryer, in the case of fabric softener sheets). I’d say I’d run an empty load once in a while, except I won’t… but sometimes I will run through a “load” that consists of my kitchen mat that needs bleaching anyway! Just my two cents’ worth.
As for the girl arguing with you over clothes… I feel your pain. Next time the washer goes out, leave her with one hideously-mismatched outfit and maybe she’ll gain some respect!
Thank you for enlightening me about what a savage I am. And God bless Hugo.
I agree with someone who said please call Sears and let them know the power of “Hugo”, you almost NEVER hear of the great work employees do.
On another note…
I feel kinda bad now because I thought my daddy was a bleach nutfreak .. he knew about the power of a cleaning cycle for the washer, but I’ve refused to do it …
BUT now I guess I am game.:)
I did not know what a savage I am. Fortunately for me though, I ran a few dry mop heads in my washer a week ago and felt the need to wash the inside of my machine with bleach–so I ran an empty cycle with detergent and bleach. But I guess that one time isn’t really good since I’ve had said machine for 4 or 5 years. hmmmmm….
I’m not sure if I have ever commented before, but I have been reading your blog for a little while.
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing — I put bleach in my Kenmore and started the “clean” cycle just a few minutes ago! Once every year or two should be good, right?! Especially since I only do what seems like 15 loads a week!
You’re not the only savage, now I need to go clean my washer, too!
Your post made me weep a little.
I just married and moved to a small town into an apartment without a washer/dryer hookup!!!!! Seriously!!!!!
How I miss the motherboard and drain of my washer! The laundrymat does not offer the peace and joy of a home laundry room! LOVED your post today! I shall never take my laundry room for granted again as soon as the lease is up! I hope to find a HUGO in my future!
This is so crazy… This happened to me at the beginning of the summer and instead of paying a repairman to come over for about $200 we just went and bought a brand new one…..cuz ours was seriously old. It was so great to meet you! WOuld you visit my site…I am trying to see if you do…will my blogfrog show that you came by….please let me know… Did you like your goodies…and did Caroline like her necklace and shells?
So glad everything is back in working order!
And, btw, I’m REALLY good at washing clothes too….but I could also use some help in the putting away department.
Excellent. I didn’t know about the bleach cycle either….
I’m reminded of the opening credits to Laverne and Shirley where they are playing cards while waiting on laundry at the laundromat. Glad that doesn’t have to be you.
1. you can also use VINEGAR to run it thru a cycle and therefore not risk bleaching all your clothes and teaching your children a host of new cuss words (not that I know anyone who would do that ever….)
2. my friend DID have to buy a new pump b/c a BABY SOCK got sucked into the drain of her washer!! so now she puts them all in a lingerie bag so it will not happen again EVER. temperamental new fancy machines….
Yay! Glad Hugo saved the day. Who would thought you needed to wash the washing machine. Sometimes I feel like I need domestic classes.
-FringeGirl
All Hail Hugo!!!!! He rocks!!!
And no, you are not the only one who didn’t know about the monthly bleach thing.
And YES, please call Sears, and brag on Hugo!
Seriously? I’m supposed to remember to run a cup of bleach through an empty washer when I can’t even remember to run some detergent through a full one? Seriously? I am doomed……
Just sitting here waiting for a load of laundry to get dry so I can fold it up. So glad to have a dryer especially right now since we are having RAIN every day! We’ve measured more than 8 inches in the past week in the rain gauge on our back deck.
I never knew about running the wash cycle with a cup of Clorox either! I’ll try that!
Love reading about your “everyday” life!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Yep, we are down here in Georgia with more rain than we could imagine for Sept.
It’s me again, the Appliance Sales-person, and I have never heard that about running a cycle with just bleach. I’m gonna have to talk to my sales rep and find out why I haven’t been given that tidbit. Could be only front loaders? But we sold them too. You should really try harder to take all your shells out of your hunting clothes dear! I used to charge my kids a quarter if I found anything in their pockets or had to turn their socks right side out. I don’t do pockets or socks. I feel like running my hands in sweaty and grubby socks and pockets is above and beyond the call. I didn’t have much luck training the hubs until I washed his wallet a time or twelve. He cleans out his pockets now.
You are supposed to WASH the washing machine? This is not normal…are we leaving in time warp…we might as well be back to the tub and washboard!
Ok…not really!
Hey –
Just an FYI –
if you have your furnace up in the attic like we do here in Florida, you must pour bleach down the drain that leads outside the house to clear the gunk and algae that the lovely humidity creates!! San Antonio is awfully humid – is your furnace in your attic??
Have a good day!
Jen in Jax
Okay…I hesitate to even write this because it was BIZARRE but………the last time I had a repairman out, to repair my BRAND NEW stove, he told me that the self cleaning function for my stove got hot enough to cremate a body. WHAT? Why would he tell me that? He was so strange. When he first got to my house, I apologized for some crumbs that rolled out when he pulled the stove out from the counter (it’s inset) and he said that usually he has an army of roaches run out! I was undone! I mean, if you had an army of roaches cohabitating under your stove…a burned out broiler element would be the LEAST of your worries. Then he proceeded to tell me about the crematorium functions of my oven.
Freaky! Needless to say, I kept my hand close to the knife block in case he tried to prove his theories on the oven to me. I didn’t want my family to come home and find a pile of ash where there Mother used to be!
I love laundry posts! It is such an all-consuming task, never done, always some right behind you even when you get the stuff that is all done put away, oh, no, there is some more in the dryer and some in the washer just waiting to smother you with all its clean smelling freshness, and yes, will someone please come put it all away?
Seriously, Hugo sounds amazing. I was very proud of myself a little while back because our machine had an error code flashing and I looked it up in the manual (smart, no?) and figured out how to open up this tiny panel in the front, let out the excess water (hello, mess in my laundry room floor-why didn’t they make that panel a little higher?!), and then open up a double secret hole kind of thing and pull out a filter. Do you know what I found in there? A nursing pad. And some feathers. And there was the problem. And I fixed it! Very satisfying.
Thanks for such a funny post. You’re the best storyteller.
Add me to the list of laundry losers. I had no idea about the bleach thing. You’re always full of such useful household tips!
One time our washing machine wouldn’t spin, and luckily, living in a small town, S called his ex-girlfriend’s dad, who owned a local repair store. Oh the fun of watching him unwrap the underwire from one of my bras from the machine. Good times, my friend.
Comments on this entry are closed.