Ed Kennell 35,814 #1 Posted June 21, 2016 (edited) If the mods. determine this is not the proper place to ask for help with this problem, I will understand if it is deleted. Anyway it is related to the WHA problem that we all suffer from, and from past conversations, I know nearly all Red Square members are qualified to offer solutions to this problem. The problem is ... Every summer when I start to wear shorts, Mrs K complains about the dirt, sawdust, and grease on my socks. She has now refused to put them in her washing machine. I have ruled out some potential solutions: 1. stop wearing socks....could be fatal and expensive with no ankle protection...I take blood thinners 2. buy throw away socks .... could get expensive 3. place an ad for a new wash person....lets see 50% of my IRA, 401K and pensions....now that is expensive, and I would miss the blackberry pies. Thanks in advance for any intelligent feasible solutions. edit PS If you do happen to talk to Mrs K, please do not let her know we are working on this problem. She likes surprises. Edited June 21, 2016 by Ed Kennell 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,809 #2 Posted June 21, 2016 Geez Ed I guess you are in a bind...I'm gonna have to punt on this one.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 14,907 #3 Posted June 21, 2016 I throw my greasy socks, shorts, shirts, wiping rags, and towels in the washer while wifey is away from the domicile. As soon as they are done, a quick high temperature spin in the dryer and no one is the wiser. I'm not sure what it is about some wives, but I get the same "don't put that in there" stare when I go to put the cats bowls in the dishwasher. ...and if she knew I wrote this, there would be no Mrs. M's cookie bars for me to take to the show... 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,934 #4 Posted June 21, 2016 That's what I was thinking, just sneak them in there. Buy a small used washer from CL, put it in the shop and use biodegradable laundry soap if you don't have a drain. Then use it for shop towels and a parts washer too. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 8,852 #5 Posted June 21, 2016 Ed From one hydro guy to another I think I'm seeing through this,,,,,,,The real problem is you no longer have access to the Hydraulic test lab where you used to wash your dirty sox in those hydro turbine test machines PS many many years ago the old supervisor at the dams where I work was very frugal. He would put all the used rags and a rock in a croaker sack, tie a rope on it and throw it in the discharge . By the end of the shift they were clean,,,,,so many dam stories 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,057 #6 Posted June 21, 2016 I think the small washer in the garage would be answer. Mrs. K will think you are helping with the household chores which could see an increase in pies. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,750 #7 Posted June 21, 2016 12 minutes ago, wallfish said: small used washer John has your solution, I did this while we lived in Florida, lots cheaper than an attorney! Now I just use the @rmaynard method. As for the cat bowls Bob mentioned, no problem at our house, She is a member of the family and the wife loves her too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,057 #8 Posted June 21, 2016 I get the stare when I put spoons and forks together in the same space in the dishwasher. She has a reason about makes unloading easier . I suggested that she load the dishwasher her self, now I am on permanent hand washing duty of certain dishes. I have learned to keep my mouth shut. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,510 #9 Posted June 21, 2016 Pre clean with GoJo hand soap , best stuff ever . None of my business, but does she have some phobia of putting dirty clothes in the washer ? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Digger 66 3,476 #10 Posted June 21, 2016 How about a pair of these beauties for doing chores ? 1) The neighbors will all have something to talk about . 2) The Mrs & her friends will always have an elephant in the room during those Lemonade / gossip meetings . 3) Ya' never know you just might become the new local trend-setter...... 4) And don't forget the pics 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 621 #11 Posted June 21, 2016 I am not going to have a good solution for you Ed because I have refused to let my wife (Pat) do my laundry for the 31 years we have been together -- So I throw my dirty socks in with the rest of my underwear and wash and bleach the heck out of them I also got out of putting dishes in the dish washer because I would get mad at it trying to get things in there -- My solution was that "I will wash them by hand" but Pat is convinced hand washing isn't as good as automatic washers; plus she doesn't like hearing me get mad at the dishwasher (My biggest complaint about dishwashers is the insistence on pre-washing before putting them in there & other than silverware the only things that the dishwasher can handle are the things I could wash by hand easily [plates, dishes, and glasses] plus anything that is hard to wash by hand doesn't get clean in the dishwasher) -- So for all of this convoluted reasoning (and a couple of more things) I have been for told to leave the dishes alone -- I actually feel a little guilty about it but Pat would actually prefer this arrangement OK Ed -- Now one serious comment -- I suspect that I take a whole lot more blood thinners than you do and for whatever it is worth I have never had any concerns or issues with my ankles (i.e. I don't think twice about being like Steve (i.e. sockless BUT I only would do that in the SUMMER) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,947 #12 Posted June 21, 2016 We already have one forum member who doesn't wear socks so that solution is out. The little portable washer in the garage will do it as long as you get the parts washer fluid all out before washing your clothes. That stuff can irritate the skin. If you have a Runnings store near you, They sell a great pack of crew socks cheap. I cannot and will not help you with your boxers! 2 hours ago, rmaynard said: ...and if she knew I wrote this, there would be no Mrs. M's cookie bars for me to take to the show... YIKES!!!!!!! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #13 Posted June 21, 2016 A lot of really good ideas here, but I'm afraid no-one has really offered Ed a good solution! Ed, looks like you are on your own on this one! PS...My wife informed me a few nights ago that when I load the dishwasher and she doesn't like it, she just fixes it! I said I could stop loading it, but she said that once in a while I get it right so keep on doing it! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,573 #14 Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) 3 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: I think the small washer in the garage would be answer. I think Jim and John are on the right track, but lets face it we're all obviously into old stuff with engines. Sooo how about a nice gas powered Maytag to wash those dirty socks and shop rags. Imagine how cool it would be, sittin' in the garage, favorite beverage in your hand, and listening to the pum pum pum of a vintage Maytag sloshing your clothes around. Note: While the mangle works great for crushing those empty beverage cans, keep the clothes that you are wearing out of there. Edited June 22, 2016 by achto 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JPWH 5,308 #15 Posted June 22, 2016 I had a similar problem last winter. My wife said she wasn't going to wash my nasty carhart coveralls in her new washer. I just said OK . After the 1st weekend working on my transmission I just threw them in my little corner rolled up to wear again next time. When she figured out what that awful odor was my coveralls got washed in her new washer. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thisguyisnew 114 #16 Posted June 22, 2016 If you don't mind a single guys opinion. Build them up into a decent pile and the take them to the local laundrymat I had some jobs where the company hadn't provided uniforms yet and that's where I took my grubby clothes 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,169 #17 Posted June 22, 2016 Go to a local open house of a really fancy mansion that's for sale. They will have a box of those slip on footies so you don't soil their fancy carpet as you walk through looking for where to put all your WH's if you buy it...While you are there, borrow a few extra footies and explain to them that you want to make sure no WH transmission fluid gets on the carpet so you need them for "later"... And voila - wear the footies and discard after use, knowing in your heart that your WH's would not appreciate living is such snooty quarters anyways... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #18 Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: I get the stare when I put spoons and forks together in the same space in the dishwasher. She has a reason about makes unloading easier . I suggested that she load the dishwasher her self, now I am on permanent hand washing duty of certain dishes. I have learned to keep my mouth shut. How long did it take you to master the art of keeping your mouth shut? I've been with my wife for just about 28 yrs. now and I haven't got that one down yet... As for Ed's problem... Put them dirty socks in the washer when the wife is away and call it done.. Just don't get caught. My wife gives me hell for everything I do and how I do it. Loading dishwasher issues... Yep, got that problem amongst a heap of others.. So, if the only issue you have is dirty socks man you got it made. Edited June 22, 2016 by Ken B 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,952 #19 Posted June 22, 2016 Put your socks in your pants pockets. She will never know they are in there. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #20 Posted June 22, 2016 C'mon Ed... who wears the pants in your family? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russellmc301 600 #21 Posted June 22, 2016 what i do is when it is sorted i wait for the fliping of the laundry and when she goes somewhere else i come with my nasty garb and wash them and put extra soap 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeek 2,284 #22 Posted June 22, 2016 Haa, great question I'm kind of on board with the boys here (and your assumption) . . . a third wife is too costly and will cut into funds that could be used on tractors So, I use a blow gun to get the worst off and chuck that crap in with shop towels and stuff like that myself. Plus I agree on the blueberry pies, which happen to be my favorite, so you gotta have way around it 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
"D"- Man 827 #23 Posted June 22, 2016 Ed, one idea that has not been mentioned yet is don't wear shorts, just wear pants. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,814 #24 Posted June 22, 2016 14 hours ago, rmaynard said: I throw my greasy socks, shorts, shirts, wiping rags, and towels in the washer while wifey is away from the domicile. As soon as they are done, a quick high temperature spin in the dryer and no one is the wiser. I'm not sure what it is about some wives, but I get the same "don't put that in there" stare when I go to put the cats bowls in the dishwasher. ...and if she knew I wrote this, there would be no Mrs. M's cookie bars for me to take to the show... I hear ya Bob, I got the "STARE" one time when I ran the dishwasher while Mrs K was shopping. I started the dishwasher and retired down stairs to the man cave to finish watching the Phillies / Reds game. I thought I heard some strange noises upstairs, but Pete Rose had just drew a walk from Steve Carlton after fouling off four 3-2 pitches and I had to see if Charlie hustle could steal second off Lefty. He did...and just as Pete safely dove head first into second, I saw the foam roll down the steps like a giant slinky. You would think Maytag would require a seat kill switch for the bar stool to prevent the operator from leaving the kitchen while their equipment is in operation. A few electric eyes to monitor the foam level or a pressure switch to sound a siren before the foam blows the door open would probably have prevented the flood and the resulting "STARE" They should as a minimum be required to post a large sign on the door warning of the dangers of using large amounts of Dawn in their machines. Anyway, I guess it's clear, I will never risk suffering another "STARE" by using any of Mrs Ks appliances. BTW, a large leaf rake works pretty well to remove 6" of foam from the kitchen floor. I have read all your other fine suggestions and will address them as time permits, but now it's time for a bowl of blackberry cobbler for breakfast. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,750 #25 Posted June 22, 2016 2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: a large leaf rake works pretty well to remove 6" of foam from the kitchen floor That is a good tip! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites