Washing Machine Ate My Sock!

Can the Washing Machine Eat My Socks?

It is bound to happen...something will get stuck in your washing machine. Everyone has heard folks upset that it seems the washing machine eats your socks.......Your washing machine is not a veritable black hole...and items that are small don't always just wash away in the drain. There are a number of areas in which things can get stuck. The list of items that can get stuck can be bizarre and sometimes even hilarious. You should only hear half of what we have found in washing machines!

We posed the question earlier in the week: What have you found stuck in your washing machine?
Coins, shoe laces, paper clips, rubber bands, crayons, toys, skivvies, hair clips, buttons, pens, nails and screws, bracelets, rings, plastic credit cards, and rocks are the main culprits.

But have you ever wondered where your socks are going? Honestly, yes. YES. Especially little kid's socks. We recommend using a sock bag for your socks, especially wee one's socks, oh and for skivvies.

The most common item found by far though is the wire from a lady's brassiere. In fact if I didn't know better I would say that some appliance repairman who was low on work invented the darned thing, underwires that is! We find these lodged in the center of the machine after the poor little wire has done its job wreaking havoc from the tub of your machine, through the holes and or gap in between the drum and door seals, and on your other necessary apparatuses in between... In my opinion, the best tip ever to give is to tell ladies to wash their brassieres by hand!

First, they usually work their way to the front plate seal and cause leaks in your sump hose and filter. Second, they can snag bits of fibers or fabric there and cause a plug to occur. This ends up keeping your washer from being able to drain. If you hear a constant scraping sound... an underwire may be talking to you! Coins tend to damage the inner drum, heater, and front plates.

Now ladies, if you do wear these types of bras I suggest once in a while just running your hand gently over your tub. Feel for a wire sticking out of one of the holes... if you are lucky you will catch it in time before it gets sucks into the labyrinth which is the washer black hole! And especially if you are missing one or have in the past, go to it now! Find that wire!

You could save a thousand bucks over the life of your machine just with that little knowledge, between calling me the repair man and or the cost of your washing machine or having to purchase a new one.
When you get something stuck between the outer tub and inner drum we can get it out sometimes, but if you don't know about it over a period of time, it could mean death to the washer!
This is because the price of the tub is staggering...if whatever is stuck punches a hole in your's well... you may be in for trouble!

Now, we sometimes find other odd things in machines.....snakes, lizards, worms, kittens, mice, and any other number of wonderful critters, namely bugs. I always recommend from time to time pulling your machine from the wall and having a good looksee. You don't want a snake to take up residence in your nice warm appliance.

Anyways, we would love to hear more about what yall have found in your washing machines! Especially humorous stories....

Again, Food for thought,

ArchAngel