My washing machine is broken, what can I do?!

nattn

I've had the worst day! Our washer broke yesterday and I wasn't too worried because I had just finished a load of CDs. Tomorrow is DD's birthday party so I was going to spend today making rainbow jar cakes. Well, DD has had explosive diarrhea and vomiting all day. Meanwhile DH is working until the early morning hours so I've been cometely on my own. When it rains, it pores, right?

I only have maybe 4 or 5 clean diapers left and I'm at a loss as to what to do. Any ideas? There's no way disposables would be able to handle her stools right now, but can I wash CDs without a washer? Flips are probably the easiest thing I have to wash. The covers are hardly dirty, but the inserts took a beating. I was thinking about scrubbing them the best I could in the tub and then maybe boiling the inserts after. Opinions?

BrendaLou1969

I'd wash the flips by hand in the tub  - rinse well using cold water - let them soak a bit.  Drain the water.  Add 1/2 scoop of your regular detergent, then fill up the tub with hot water - me personally knowing about the stomach bug, I would maybe add 1/8 or smaller of a cup of bleach to kill any nasties from the bug. Let them soak until you can stick your hands in the water comfortably, and hand scrub away. I wouldn't boil the flip inserts after hand washing, if there are any stains, the boiling would set them forever I would think.

Just my opinion and what I would do.

sosoph

I know it's been done, but I'd probably have to hand wash them so many times to be sure they were clean and virus-free. Probably not worth the time. Laundromat or get disposables and put a cover over them if you're worried about leaks.

lwsnake

It depends on when you will be able to do laundry again. If you are going to be able to get the washer fixed tomorrow, or be able to go to the laundromat in the evening, I would be stuffing dishtowels in there to hold over until then, maybe hand washing the pee inserts. If its going to be a while, I'd hit the laundromat. I wouldn't feel like I got all the poo off without a spin cycle especially if its not solid.

tokenhoser

I'd be over at a friend's doing laundry (or at a laundrymat if you don't know anyone that will let you do laundry). Or if I didn't want to travel with a sickie, DH would be at his parent's doing laundry, stat.

Handwashing is just not something I'm doing until Armageddon hits. Other people still have washing machines!

Moozilla11

I dont have a washer or dryer and so I just hand wash my diapers. Make sure you have some strong rubber gloves though or else you may burn your hands. Unless you are able to purchase a wringer washer. They are fairly cheap on Amazon. Good luck!

hispenguin

Do you have any friends or family close by? Or maybe a neighbour that would be okay with you using their machine? I would probably do that and disposables with a cover. I would never hand wash. Esp not with a party planned the same weekend!!

nattn

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was at my wits end last night. I remembered that I have a package of disposable flip inserts so I'm okay for today. I never use them and completely forgot about them. DH is home trying to fix our washer and he can't fix it today, he's going to the inlaws to use their washer. I honestly thought I would run out of diapers during the night, but she didn't have any dirty diapers or vomiting through the night, thank God! Oh, and we canceled the party. Thanks again!