Art and I decided we'd better start looking around for a new dryer just in case this dryer decided to call it quits. It was here when mom moved in over 10 years ago and looked old then. We figured we'd start looking early so it would give us a couple of months to make a decision. We went to the Navy Exchange and met Robin. She was extremely knowledgeable about dryers. She said that because we kept our washer and dryer outside like many, many, many families in Hawaii we should avoid dryers with a lot of electronics. That simplified our choice.
Three days later, without additional warning, the dryer went to laundry heaven and left us high and (not) dry. We went back to the NEX where the less elaborate, manual, no electronics dryer was on sale. Woo hoo! The salesperson told us that we should just bring it home ourselves and not pay the $60.00 delivery fee. Sounded good to us. They carefully packed our mini van with the Maytag dryer which barely fit.
It's a good thing our neighbor is a strong fire fighter with two strong sons. They saw that we might need help and rushed over to help us move the dryer from the van to the patio.
We moved the new dryer in front of the old one and saw that it might be a tight squeeze. They must be making dryers wider now.
Art decided to change how the door to the dryer opens since the washer is on the right side. I didn't know you could do that.
"NUTS!" said Art. The dryer is too big. It won't fit."
OK, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Art cut the plastic rim to the laundry sink so the dryer could hit into its place.
OK... not too bad.
The dryer is set up, but now another big problem! The cloth machine covers I sewed for them (to protect from rain) no longer fit because the dryer is bigger and they are too tightly squeezed into place.
Don't worry, I'm working on it.
Oi. I can't believe you and Art, of all people, did not measure beforehand.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing food freezers outside the houses in Finland but never heard about washer and dryer standing outside.
Glad I don't have or need a dryer.
Good luck with the new covers.
Looks like one large cloth cover is in order, Kay!
ReplyDeleteNice save, both the $60.00 and the fitment.
ReplyDeleteone change always leads to another, maybe you can remodel the covers into a twin joined in the middle cover? good luck.
ReplyDeleteIt's always something. (I think Erma Bombeck coined the phrase.) It looks good to me, and yes, a little measuring would have been a good idea, although it looks really nice now!
ReplyDeleteyour dryer looks really nice in it's space. glad you were able to make it work. i'm thinking one cover for both too. have a great day.
ReplyDeleteNice job of improvising. Can you remove one side, use that material to cover any gap and sew the two covers together? Know you will come up with an answer.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could put mine on the porch but our winters are too cold.
Sounds like another project has just been added to the list.
ReplyDeleteKeeping washers and dryers outside is a new one for me, but apparently it works.
Good luck sewing the new cover.
Nice! I am glad y'all are so resourceful!
ReplyDeleteYou are creative, Kay! I'm confident that you will find the nest solution! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteEverybody: Would you believe we only measured the depth beforehand? We thought all washer/dryers were standard width side. This is what happens when you buy things in a RUSH. Arghhh!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the washer cover. I'm cutting the inside out and will sew in a 6 inch strip in the middle to make one larger cover. Then I have to cut the (outer) sides because the space is too tight to fit the cloth. Sigh...
Kay you and Art always have some kind of project going on! Glad you got a new dryer!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you didn't do tons of research! Aren't you the one who looks at every detail before making a purchase? I remember when you bought your car, your bedroom furniture, um, there was something else. I was thinking I need to be more like you!! Art is very resourceful! The covers are a good idea. Can't wait to see the finished product!!
ReplyDeleteHere's a little video to cheer you up
ReplyDeletehttp://idfspokesperson.com/2011/04/04/japan-aid-delegation-members-and-local-children-partake-in-recreational-activities-together/
Dina: Thank you to the wonderful Israelis! This does warm one's heart.
ReplyDeleteSeems amazing to me that you are able to keep them outdoors. Art did a good job getting it set in place. I'm sure you'll have a new cover made soon.
ReplyDeleteSorry that you had a problems fitting it in...I thought it might take you a bit longer to choose one. LOL... I take forever to choose something... I can't imagine leaving something outside.. does the salt in the air affect it...Michelle
ReplyDeleteproblem almost solved! I always look forward to your adventures Kay, what will tomorrow bring?
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of trying to get the new fridge in the kitchen. I thought I had measured so well, but I forgot about the base boards.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are great at making things work. I can't imagine keeping the washer and dryer outside. I've thought of moving mine into the garage, but we have a couple of months where it is just too cold.
Everybody: Yes, we do normally take an abnormally long time to make a decision after much hem and hawing. However, my mother is such a laundry fanatic (she likes doing laundry everyday and it's been rainy so she needs the dryer) thus we had to make a much faster decision than usual.
ReplyDeleteEverybody in this area appears to have their washing machines and dryer on the outside. I don't know why. You'd think we'd all try to put it in an enclosed area because of the salt air (the 3 year old washer is already showing signs of quite a bit of rust) but no... people have them outside. Maybe it's so that it's easier to get to the clothes lines.
Hi Kay -- I thought they were starting to make washers and dryers narrower. (You could go buy a narrower washer to be back to the normal width for the sum total...?) Does the cover keep the humidity IN when it's just humid? Or, can you move the standing sink? I suppose you really use the sink for flip-flops and such. I see the sink is the drainage for the washer... Still better than taking the laundry down to the shoreline...DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that you will make it all work. You and Art always find a way.
ReplyDeleteI recognize that old dryer!! Is that a GE? We had one of those for YEARS...
ReplyDeleteArt really is handy, isn't he?
Maybe a double 'cozy' is in order here?
KathyA: What good eyes you have, Kathy! Yes! It was a GE!
ReplyDeleteDrum Major: I'm afraid we really can't move the sink. Alas! I blame Art because during construction I wanted to modify some of that space, but he felt it would all fit. It would also have been expensive to move the water heater housing on the right.
ReplyDeleteI think the cover helps to keep moisture out. We do make sure that the washer is dry before we cover it.
I just read about the covers you made and that led me to this post.
ReplyDeleteOur drier gave up a couple of weeks ago too! She was hopefully the last of a long list of appliances.
Enjoy your new drier!!
They look good together, don't you just hate it when something won't fit right. Art saved the day.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Kay;
ReplyDeleteOur washer is bigger then our dryer. We had to buy a new washer a few years ago and it's bigger then the dryer. Who knew!
Nice to not be alone in this.
My only measurement when we went shopping was the depth.
I'm feeling better, just wanted you to know!
At first glance, I'm surprised the two big laundry equipments.(*'0'*) It's a good idea ! You made nice and useful cover. ('∇^d) Wonderful！
ReplyDelete