All Washed Up (By Mistake)

Have you ever washed something that wasn't supposed to be washed under any circumstances?

IF you answered Yes, you're not alone. We've washed pants with leftover tissues and papers (usually nothing crucial). We've even laundered currency, which thankfully dried OK for re-use :-) coins just rattled around the washer until collected at the cycle's end. 

But we've also laundered some never-to-be-washed items like a wallet, cell phone, full set of house keys and, more recently, Grenville's Apple earbuds. 

No, all these were not washed at the same time because we never remembered to check pockets first!  All went through the wash cycle — not all went through the dryer (whew).

Except the earbuds, which got the full wash & dry treatment and are working fine. Grenville claims he can hear better now.

We're going to try and avoid future mishaps and now we have a sign near the laundry to be done and in very LARGE lettering: Check ALL pockets first (including gym shorts). Yet, despite that caution, I often overlook a tissue which somehow gets washed, dried, and then get tossed !

The washed cell phone was a flip phone (pre-smart phone ownership). Grenville followed a method of burying the phone in uncooked instant rice to dry it out. After a few days, the phone worked but the home screen looked a bit worse for wear. 

If your cell phone is submerged, the recommended method is to use a desiccant, like those silica gel packets which come free in many items (start saving those packets). There's also other steps to follow as detailed in this CNET article. 

(The commercial washer and dryer shown are in our mill apt laundry room and it's where the keys and earbuds (in gym shorts) were washed. The other items were washed in VA.)

Ever happened to You?