December 19, 2008 - "Down" in the Dryer

Well, I thought I'd post a couple pictures of the goose down in my dryer saga.....

Heather and I have both been washing down pillows in the washer and dryer for years----who knew we had a tragedy lurking??

Apparently, the pillow had a 1" slit in the seam....did you know that ALL the down can come out through a 1" slit?
I didn't, but I do now!

I smelled something funny...thought the heater had dust on it or something. A few minutes later, I checked on the dryer to discover my laundry room smelled like burth chickens (literally---yuck). Imagine my surprise when I opened the dryer and had 'about' a cardboard box of feathers decorate the laundry room!

No problem...I picked up quite a bit by hand (throwing it in a trash can was another adventure), got my vacuum and vaccumed the door. It took approximately 15 seconds to completely foul the vaccum----removed the canister and then couldn't figure out how to get the feathers out of the canister and the HEPA filter. I was using a wooden spoon, wet paper towels and prayer (with some pretty good muttering, of course). I decided I was in over my head and called Heather (naturally, it was her pillow and I was doing a favor to help her wash some of the bedding). She told me to quit and she'd be right down.

When she came down, she was enjoying my help so much she banished me to my room with "I CAN'T COPE WITH YOU AND THE FEATHERS AT THE SAME TIME". Bah humbug.

So, what have I learned??

1) Let Heather wash her own down pillows.
2) Check pillow for rips if you do wash one.
3) Call Heather as soon as you figure out you're out of your league.
4) Don't try to clean up major messes without asking someone HOW to do it!

So, what am I grateful for?

1) My washer and dryer (I can't imagine life without them)
2) My vacuum....ditto
3) My daughter---someone to rescue me when I yell 'help'
4) The Lord who'se always there when I pray and ask for help.

If I have time, I'll actually do another blog today. I'm in the middle of recaps, but I don't have to go early and am trying to catch up a little. I managed to wrap all the presents last night and even found time for a manicure.