Have you ever had one of those moments where you do something you would ordinarily recognize as a bad idea? You know, those moments where all logic leaves you? I had one of those yesterday. I filled the dishwasher with dishes, and added the detergent. But wait, what's this? The liquid container gave that final last gurgle that convinces you it really is empty. I reached under the sink for another container, alas there is none. So what's a girl to do? I looked around frantically for a substitute, and then I saw it, that innocuous looking purple gel. Have you guessed it? Yep, I used some regular dish washing detergent. *Le sigh* My logic had left me in that moment. A few minutes later I walked by my amazingly quite dishwasher only to notice a giant puddle of bubbles on the floor!!


Obviously not my kitchen but this is exactly what happened. So it was an exciting afternoon.

On an accomplishment note...I've managed to figure out my blackberry download manager and have even installed a whole set of scriptures on it. Yay me! ;)

I woke up this morning thinking, "I'll wash the slip cover on the futon today" It's been a long time and the cover sorely needed it. All went well until I pulled it out of the dryer, "huh, still wet." So I checked the lint trap, sure enough, full, but not your average nicely compacted sheet of well organized lint, no. I had loose fuzzy lint that was still stuck down in the chute.

I thought about using a metal coat hanger but didn't want to go through the trouble of bending one. So in a stroke of genius I thought, rubber spatula! Perfect right? Bendable, and most importantly gave me more reach. All went well until that darn thing slipped right outta my hand, and I heard it hit the bottom of the lint trap! "can I reach it?" I wondered as I stuck my arm as far as it would go, no such luck.

In a brief moment of panic I thought, "I'll call the landlord" and then imagined my embarrassment as I explained how the kitchen utensil ended up in the dryer lint trap. Nope. That wasn't an option. Next option, take the thing apart myself. "Well what's the harm in taking the cover off to see how hard it would be?"

I went on a hunt for tools. Unfortunately my Husband likes to keep his tools in the car, I thought about the nut driver set I got him for Christmas one year, and how perfect it would be. But it wasn't to be, and this was all I had...


I pulled out the dryer, and was slightly embarrassed by the mess behind it...but in the nature of journalism, and fair and balanced reporting here's what I faced-


By a sheer miracle I found the right size socket and started. For my first trick I took off the back panel, okay not so bad-


Now, the spatula had to be in the black chute on the left...but how to get it off? Ah more screws. Okay what's four more? After those came out I still couldn't get the chute off. Here's why-


Anchored at the top. So with that done, I was victorious! I could see the spatula!




The offending tool!


I took the opportunity to dig out all the lint, and sand (!) that had collected in the chute, it was pretty amazing! All clean!



And sure enough, back together and working wonderfully!



I took all the pics as proof! I can't wait for David to see this post when he gets home! So even though my pride won out, and I'm very smug in the fact that I won't be the fodder for one of those "You can't guess what the lady tried to clean the lint trap with!" stories. I don't mind sharing this story because I learned how to dismantle the dryer all by myself, and probably saved a ton of money by not calling a repairman! Huzzah!