Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Ignorance is NOT always bliss!

Remember when I told you about the dryer I have that takes at least 3 hours to dry a single load?

Remember?

Well, while Sarah was here visiting, she witnessed full well what I had been talking about as far as the nightmare washing and drying conditions I have been living with. Have I mentioned that the capacity for both machines is at least half of what it was back home in Michigan? or in the U.S. for that matter?

After many complaints and worsening drying conditions, my hubby and Sarah, who likes mechanical-type things, were determined to FIX the problem. She used to work on helicopters while in the Marines, so finding and repairing the fault with the dryer is right up her alley. 

A few things that you have to do to keep it running fairly efficiently is to drain the container that collects moisture from the wet clothes (it's a condensation dryer), clean the lint, and also clean something out at the very bottom of the unit. 

My friend, Jen, had informed me about the 3rd area and I thought I was doing it correctly for the past 9 months. Hmm... I thought so anyway. 

It turns out that was exactly what the problem was. I wasn't cleaning it out COMPLETELY. No one told me to pour water through it and watch the nasty gray, linty stuff that comes out and goes down your kitchen sink. 

Here is the contraption.

It looks fairly innocent and easy to clean. I used to squeeze my hand in that lower part and grab onto some gooey, moist stuff and then proceed to throw it away.

Shawn and the mechanic realized you had to pour water like so in order to really clean it.

And this is what collects!

Then you gently return it to its rightful place, and perform same task in about 2 weeks time. 

I just thought of something. This can make the show "Dirty Jobs" on TLC... or maybe not. What do you think?

7 comments:

Tara Steffen Fotos said...

definitely! That show is gross! Just like the crud clogging up your dryer! Does it dry better now?

Carol said...

It dries beautifully now. I still think it takes longer than what I'm used to, but it's much better.

Rachel said...

Yuck! I just don't get why they can't use the same easy technology we have over there.

I guess the same reason they don't wear braces?

:)

Penny said...

LOL! I agree!

He & Me + 3 said...

That was pretty gross...but glad you found out what was wrong and it was an easy (but yucky) fix.

E @ Scottsville said...

So when I have problems with my dryer, I"ll know who to call. Thanks! =0)

Angela Nazworth said...

Yuck yuck yuck