Washing machine acting up during lockdown

March 27, 2020 5:13 PM

I live in Michigan, and I can't figure out from reading the lockdown order whether appliance repair is essential. I've posted on NextDoor to ask. In the meantime, my washing machine is limping, not dead, so I'm throwing this out to MeFites.

I am over 60 and a cancer patient in active chemotherapy, so I throw my clothes in the machine as soon as I get home from my weekly trip to the cancer center. I cannot go to a laundromat.

Here's the washing machine: Last week, when I washed clothes, after the final spin cycle, I opened it up and the clothes were still pretty wet. So I ran it through the last cycle again, and it turned out fine. Today, the cycle claimed to be over, but when I opened up the machine, it was completely full of water. The light was also off. I moved the dial around a lot and tried it in different places. I gave up. While I was googling, it started up again, drained, and spun, even though I'd left it in an off position.

Me again: I am super bad about understanding technology. Think trying to explain to Elmo. In terms of physical strength, I would lose an arm wrestling match to a goldfish. The first youtube video I found said "tilt the machine 45 degrees." Nope. Not happening.

So is there any weird magical thing I can do by myself? I know this is kind of an impossible question, but we live in impossible times. I have enough clothes for at least a week, so it's not an emergency, though I'd really like to wash sheets and towels before that.

The machine is a top-loading Maytag.

I've been kicking myself for not replacing my very old refrigerator before this happened. Who knew that the washing machine would go first?

posted by FencingGal to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

does the cycle finish according to your dials or is it stuck in the middle?

if it is the latter one, i have had this happen with a top loadering washer. there is a switch that gets pressed when you close the lid. this switch can go wonky or fail completely. try running a load and wait for it to stop. then press firmly down on the lid of the washer.
posted by lescour at 5:28 PM on March 27, 2020

Response by poster: No - it's not stuck in the middle. I know if it gets unbalanced, it will stop halfway through, but that doesn't seem to be what's happening here. The dial was at the end, it looked like it had completed the spin cycle, and it was still completely full of water.
posted by FencingGal at 5:31 PM on March 27, 2020

Best answer: In my opinion this is both essential and low-risk. You can wipe down your machine both before and after the repairman comes, and you can stay six feet away while explaining your problem.
posted by liminal_shadows at 6:01 PM on March 27, 2020 [6 favorites]

Maybe try calling a repairperson (or the manufacturer) to see if they can give you any advice over the phone. I normally have to go to a laundromat and I'm washing clothes by hand for now, unfortunately; maybe in the worst-case scenario you could wear clothes to chemo that you would be willing to donate and put them in your garage or something (any virus on them will eventually die, anyway) and then handwash the clothes you wear at home. If you have a tub, you can even handwash sheets...I don't have that option, but would do it if I could.
posted by pinochiette at 6:15 PM on March 27, 2020

I fixed this issue in my Frigidaire washer. There was a flexible rubber fitting connected to the tub, it ended up (in my case) clogged with cat litter, I laboriously detached it, dug/rinsed all the crud out of it, re-attached it, and no more washer flooding.

It was attached via several hose clamps, which I replaced since they weren't the kind that tighten and loosen via screw and getting them off was the absolute worst.

Anyway, washers don't have that many parts, if you're comfortable finding a service manual for your washer and you have a good set of tools, and you've got that DIY spirit you might be able to fix it on your own. Otherwise, call a service person!
posted by signsofrain at 6:49 PM on March 27, 2020

I read over Michigan's order for my parent, so this isn't professional advice or anything, but I think that is both likely that someone's still doing appliance repair, and entirely arguable that you do need that washer (60+, weak, cancer patient, nobody else can help, laundromat isn't an option, et cetera). Certainly nobody's going to throw you in jail over it.

As far as impossible things for impossible times go, the only magic I can think of that you might not have considered is siphoning the water out each time it gets stuck. (If you're thinking this includes sucking on the hose, know that it does not!) That doesn't help your sopping clothes any, but it would move the process along.
posted by teremala at 7:43 PM on March 27, 2020

Best answer: I live in Michigan and had my dryer replaced today by delivery people through Home Depot. The appointment was scheduled before the shelter in place order and dispatch called to confirm that no one in the house was sick. You can definitely get a new washer in and repaired if needed.
posted by msladygrey at 8:36 PM on March 27, 2020

Best answer: You need a washer. I live with my boyfriend who is undergoing chemo. Not only do we wash our clothes when we return from treatment but chemo does weird things with his body odor. He also has a colostomy. While rare, accidents happen.
Call for a repair person. Tell them your situation. Wipe the washer down before they get there. Wipe it down after they leave. Limit interaction. Hopefully they can accept electronic payment but even if not, it’s ok.
posted by ReiFlinx at 9:19 AM on March 28, 2020

Response by poster: Update: I just called a local appliance store, and they are delivering a new washing machine Wednesday. I decided to get a refrigerator at the same time, since mine is thirty years old and I have super anxiety every time it cycles off. The delivery people have the right to refuse to come in - I've been told they will ask me how I feel - but that's a good thing. So I will be mildly nervous about it while I'm waiting, but it looks like this will be OK. I was told I had to stay six feet away from the delivery folk - I will of course do that and wear a mask, then wipe everything down after they leave. I already gave them my payment info over the phone.

I got offers from a MeFite and someone on next door to wash my clothes for me, so once again, I am just so touched by how kind people can be at such a hard time.

And this morning, I got to lie in bed and listen to a thunderstorm and watch lighting flashes, which is one of my favorite things in the world.

Thanks everyone!
posted by FencingGal at 12:28 PM on March 28, 2020 [1 favorite]