Washer or Dryer Broken? How to Keep Up With Laundry While You Wait for Repairs

It always seems to happen at the worst time. The washer stops mid-cycle full of water, or the dryer runs for an hour and the clothes come out just as wet. Suddenly a normal household chore turns into a problem with no quick fix, and the hamper keeps filling up.

Here’s what to do in the first hour, how long you might be without your machine, and how to keep your family in clean clothes until it’s fixed.

First, deal with what’s inside the machine

• Get wet clothes out quickly. Clothes left sitting wet in a drum can start to smell musty within a day, especially in Georgia humidity.
• Wring and hang them. Drape them over a shower rod, drying rack or chairs with a fan running. Don’t pile them in a basket.
• Check for simple causes. A tripped breaker, a door that isn’t fully latched, a clogged lint trap or a kinked hose can look like a breakdown. Your manual’s troubleshooting page is worth five minutes.
• Unplug before poking around, and turn off the water supply if anything is leaking.

How long will you be without it?

Longer than most people expect. A repair usually means waiting for a technician’s first available appointment, then sometimes waiting again for a part to be ordered. If the machine can’t be saved, you’ll need to shop for a new one and wait for delivery and installation. Depending on the problem and the season, that can stretch from a few days to a few weeks.

For a household of four, even one week without a washer can mean a mountain of clothes, towels and sheets by the time the new machine arrives.

Your options while you wait

Wash small things by hand

Underwear, socks and a work shirt or two can be washed in the sink and hung to dry. It works for a day or two, but it isn’t realistic for towels, sheets or jeans.

Go to a laundromat

You can wash several loads at once, but you’ll spend a few hours there, plus loading and unloading the car. With kids or a busy work week, that’s hard to fit in more than once.

Lean on family or friends

Fine for one load. Less fine when it’s every few days for three weeks.

Use laundry pickup and delivery

For most households this is the easiest bridge. You bag everything up, leave it at the door, and it comes back washed and folded. No car trips, no waiting in a laundromat, and no favors to ask. Many people try pickup for the first time because of a broken machine, and some keep it for bedding or busy weeks even after the new washer arrives.

How it works with The Elementals Laundry

1. Book online at theelementalslaundry.com/book-now and choose a pickup window.
2. Leave your bag at the door or another easy spot. You don’t need to be home.
3. We wash, dry and fold everything, and handle any dry cleaning you bag separately.
4. It comes back to your door, folded and ready to put away. Most wash and fold orders are ready within 24 hours.

If your machine broke mid-load, send the damp clothes too. Just bag them separately and add a note so they’re handled first. Pricing and details are on the residential pickup page and the pricing page.

Prefer to drop off?

If you’re already out running errands, you can bring your laundry to our counter at 3330 Cobb Pkwy NW, Suite 344, in Acworth. We’re open Monday to Friday 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM. See hours and directions.

Common questions

Can I use pickup just once? Yes. There’s no contract. Use it for as long as your machine is out, then stop.

Can you wash comforters and bedding too? Yes. Bulky items like comforters and blankets are priced per piece.

Do you serve my area? We cover Acworth, Kennesaw, Marietta, Woodstock, Cartersville, Dallas, Canton and more. See the service areas page.