Thursday, June 14, 2012

Give It Another Spin

If you’ve been reading here long, then you know that I don’t have a dryer.  Washing machines in a rented apartment are something of a luxury here in Brooklyn.  When we were planning to move here, I asked God for a washing machine so I could wash my diapers at home.  He saw fit to grant my request, and our apartment has a full size, top-loading wash machine.  We just pay a little extra for the water it uses. 

Sometimes I get frustrated with how wet my diapers are when they finish the final rinse & spin cycle.  Often, a lot of water gets trapped in the wet bag, and soaks the inserts nearby as the machine finishes.  If I am in a pinch and need diapers fast, I don’t have time to let all of the extra water line-dry out of my inserts.

A while back I started re-setting my machine to do a second spin after the cycle had completed.  This second spin seems to release the water trapped in the wet bags, because I don’t have that problem any more. 

I also know for sure that even more water is spinning out of my diapers & inserts, thereby cutting the dry time.  How do I know this?  Because my washing machine is in my kitchen, and it drains into my kitchen sink.  Sometimes I stand and watch the second spin cycle, amazed at how much water had been left in my inserts.

My washer drain

So even if you have a dryer, cut the drying time by running an extra spin on your machine before you start the drying cycle.

4 comments:

Katie S said...

Interesting! Thank you.

Shaky Mommy said...

I have a front loader and it does an amazing job spinning water off my diapers and inserts. But when traveling or when our power was out for an extended period of time due to a tornado, I used top loaders. There is such a noticeable difference in the drying time when they have been spun well by my front loader. I will keep this trick in mind to use next time I'm traveling and forced to use a top loader!

Unknown said...

I agree with you re. having washing machines in a rented apartment. My husband and I rent, but unfortunately, we have coin machines in our basement.

I'll have to remember giving it another spin.

mommy Orkid Belle said...

I don't know what to say, but so far we are blessed with a huge yard and clothes line so I don't have to use the dryer in the summer. Good thing you got it all figured out. :)

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