Clothes dryer 1, Jill 0

Laundry is one of my least-detested household chores.

My reasoning: The machines largely do all of the work, and in between loads, I can tackle other chores or simply sit and watch a TV show or two.

While it requires effort from me to sort out the loads, drop in some detergent, toss into the dryer and fold and/or hang what’s come out of the dryer, in the scheme of things, I’m a cheerleader for doing the laundry. 

My pom-poms, however, for doing the laundry weren’t shaking Monday evening. I threw a load of rugs into the washer without issue, but as I listened to the dryer twirl them around and around, the dryer wasn’t its usual quiet “self.”

Upon investigation, I took notice that the lint hose had unattached itself from the dryer. It should’ve been an easy fix, or so I thought.

I grew up with a dad who was in the appliance repair business. After years and years of hearing him on the phone advising clients about pilot lights and thermostats and the like, I have hints of confidence when talking about those things.

With a screwdriver in hand, “I am my father’s daughter,” I boldly said to myself aloud as I climbed behind the dryer. “I can – and I will – fix this.”

Thirty minutes into the “easy fix,” I found myself heading to the junk drawer for the Duct tape. The lint hose and the dryer vent weren’t lining up, and all I was really accomplishing was frustration over my ability to achieve success.

I wrapped several layers around the dryer vent and lint hose, smoothed it down several times, and after putting everything back in its place, I hit the start button and delighted in silencing the dryer.

Or so I thought.

Ten minutes later, I discovered my Duct tape solution had failed completely.

With the 10 o’clock news about to air, I opted for the next best option: I took the rugs out of the dryer and hung them to air dry.

Like I said earlier, most weeks, laundry is my favorite chore.

But Monday night, that idea went down the drain after the spin cycle.