I was transferring some clothes from the washing machine to the tumble dryer this evening and thought I’d give the pull-out filter a quick clean. That’s all I usually do every couple of washes, just take the fluff out and put the filter back. I always glance at the other little door flap at the bottom of the machine and say to myself that I must take it out and clean it ‘one day’. I’m always in a rush though and don’t do it. Today felt different.

With the filter out, I opened the flap at the bottom of the machine and pulled out the draw. This allowed me to see the bit where the filter sits and wipe out all the fluff. I then spotted another drawer further back – I suppose you could call it a cartridge.

I really must find the instructions and work out what all these parts are, but in the absence of putting my hands on those instructions quickly, I thought that I would just give everything a wipe which would remove the visible fluff, and then rinse the parts under the tap. It looked so much cleaner afterwards and it really didn’t take long.

What influenced me to get the job done?

1. The room being clean and clear: The newly decorated utility room helped because I would normally be put off doing this job because of the state of the room. My mind would normally have been elsewhere; however, being able to think straight in there, encouraged me to add more improvements.
2. Getting to something before it breaks: I tend to get to things after they’ve started to make a noise, almost broken or just stopped working completely. This has happened a lot over the last few months. I need to start a maintenance program so that I get to things before they break. I’m starting to realise the importance of maintenance.
3. Routines such as The Organised Mum Method (TOMM): I listened to this book again this week and realised that simple jobs like cleaning out filters could quite easily be added to my weekly list of tasks.
4. Thinking that it might be dangerous: I heard or read something recently (might even have been when listening to TOMM on audible) about build up of lint in a dryer and how it can overheat. That’s reason enough for me to clean it out regularly.

Being good at self care

I can sort of relate all of this maintenance stuff to self-care. Isn’t it better to do the maintenance on ourselves before we get worn out? I know that I’m sort of comparing myself to an appliance or the house, but I think it’s symbolic don’t you?

I’m taking more care of myself as well as taking more care of everything else around the house. I now see them as going hand in hand.

Time to run a relaxing bath with candles and relaxing music (self-care).

Busy weekend coming up… decorator doing the lounge, and I received a message from the builder earlier to say that he’ll be able to fit our loft hatch tomorrow which is such great news.

Until tomorrow…

Sandra