Our Forever House: Laundry

A week ago today, my washer died! Well, not a complete death, but it stopped spinning which means soppy wet clothes that do not get clean. It was an early model front loading machine that we purchased when we moved in to our last house about 8 or 9 years ago. It was a great little washer - "little" being the operative word! Capacity was not something that DINKs (double income, no kids) gave much thought too. Especially since most of our professional wardrobe went to the dry cleaners anyways!

So, instead of fixing this small and aging machine, we decided to UPGRADE. And I could not be happier! Loving the energy and water saving qualities of the front loading machine that was our first thought. Although, when i went to Facebook to ask my friends what kind of machine they have and what they love and hate about them, there was a resounding "dislike" for front loaders. Mostly had to do with the smell if you don't care for them and the length of the wash cycle.

Having similar thoughts, I began to do a little research and came across the high efficiency top loaders. These machines do not have a center agitator which makes their capacity AMAZING - I can fit my king size comforter in which is great! They also use less energy and water which was another important factor for me. So far, we love it.

{Whirlpool Cabrio HE Top Loader}

We didn't upgrade the dryer at this time as it is working fine and we really didn't need the expense. Both machines are white so you it really isn't obvious that they do not match - besides, who sees my laundry room beside me. That being said, I still wanted to add a little creative and decorator flair.

I pulled out my scrapbook paper and found a few sheets of tone-on-tone green paper (I believe they were part of a couple different scrapbook paper packs from the Target Dollar Spot). I made a few pennants, punched a couple of holes on the tops and strung them up on some fun green and white plastic clothesline that I had picked up at the Dollar Tree. I then draped it across the back wall and over onto the wall opposite the washer and dryer.

Needing a little something to ground it, I pulled out a couple of picture framers that I wasn't using and printed the words WASH and DRY in a medium gray on some vellum I had picked up years ago. I placed the velum words over the top of some light blue print scrapbook paper and placed them in the frame.

To bring the fun green over to the washer area, I wrapped the clothesline around a large old pickle jar (Costco size) and hot glued it down in the back. This jar is filled with my Oxy Clean - every Mommy's best friend. I keep my laundry detergent in a bright blue bucket I picked up at the dollar store. I wrapped some of the clothesline around it too! Finally, I had picked up a fun green basket at the dollar store at Easter that is perfect to hold my other stain removers and fabric softener.

After not being able to do laundry for almost a week, I actually looked forward to spending some time in there. I love the quick and fresh touch I was able to add to this otherwise work-horse of a room!

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