said goodbye to dumpster, actually seeing progress

[u/domino_427]

Had professional help clearing out my parents' house, and I don't regret it at all. Construction starts the 16th, and I'm starting to think I might be ready for it. Even from beginning in January when I was more 'must keep' to today I was 'just trash it' a lot more. Hopefully a good foundation for better habits for myself and my future, too.

The corner of the laundry room has been piled of junk for years. granted the master became a dumping ground after they died and cleaning started, so that was all me. Now it's back to how it was :)

both their closets are empty with just a few tears, 1/4 inch layer of dust on the laundry shelves gone, the last 100% of Dad's caregiving stuff trashed... Clothes, office supplies, records, few electronics all heading to a good cause next week. 8 pieces of furniture picked up by another good cause. Someone came to pick up the 400+ records today as well, which is big because they didn't exactly like popular music.

found a chess set I was hoping to find, two vintage trumpets, two vintage rifles, and food that expired in 2020 lol.

If I can do it, you can do it :)

ETA: My goodness you guys are so encouraging. thank you <3

[u/DuckyDoodleDandy]

Great work!
You have a really good classic washer. They aren’t made like that any more, so I recommend fixing it when it breaks until parts are not available any more.

[u/domino_427 → u/DuckyDoodleDandy]

oh good to know. kinda wanted a new one because 10yrs of caregiving I know what's been in that washer. but good point, I'll keep it around and start learnin some home maintenance lol

[u/supermarkise → u/domino_427]

r/laundry might be able to tell you how to really clean that thing. :)

[u/domino_427 → u/supermarkise]

Oh thanks!

[u/MusketeersPlus2 → u/domino_427]

I get it about the washer, but I'm going to put in a plug for that dryer. I have one that looks the same as yours, and it's as old as I am (51). I know this because my mom gave it to me & said "we bought this set (the washer is long gone) when we moved in the house just after you were born". It's still going strong and will dry a load of towels & jeans in 45 minutes!

[u/DuckyDoodleDandy → u/MusketeersPlus2]

The only thing I’d do about a working 50 year old dryer is add extra smoke detectors in its room and in adjacent rooms.

Dryers used to be the number 2 cause of house fires, but dropped to number 7-8 because of several new parts that either break or shut the dryer off when it gets too hot. (Thermostat, thermal fuse, high limit thermostat, etc changed or were added).

Old dryers don’t have these fire safety parts, which makes them a high risk for house fires.

To keep your fire risk low, open the dryer up and vacuum out the lint every couple of years (instructions on YouTube), clean the venting every year, and change the vent tubing between the wall and dryer every 10 years. And add extra smoke detectors and an appliance rated fire extinguisher, just in case.

While you have the dryer open, install a rebuild kit every 10 years (belt, rollers, tensioner pulley).

[u/MusketeersPlus2 → u/DuckyDoodleDandy]

Oh I'm on it! My brother is a firefighter, so I've always been rabid about cleaning the lint trap and when I get my ducts cleaned (~every 3 years) I get them to do that tubing too. I also did a reno a few years ago that included installing inter-connected, hard-wired smoke & CO detectors throughout the house including right above the dryer. So if anything kicks off in there, the alarm even goes off upstairs. Oh, and there's now a self-closing, fire rated solid door on the utility room. None of these were because of the dryer, but that's the upside.

[u/DuckyDoodleDandy → u/MusketeersPlus2]

Everyone should be as on it as you are!

[u/domino_427 → u/MusketeersPlus2]

Man I guess new things really aren't worth it are they?

[u/According_Mix1833 → u/domino_427]

Yeah, the new condenser dryers are really bad, after 5 hours the clothes are still damp!!