Free Laundry Hack

Step 3 Paydirt

Once you are convinced that ALL sticks are sticking out 35 degrees from the horizontal (without having to hold them), start to push the tray all the way in. If you did the previous step properly, you should be able to push it as if it has coins, meaning it should go all the way in (farther than if you had no coins on it).

The stir sticks shouldn't break, but be sure to pull the tray out quickly so that you can salvage the sticks.

Hopefully at this point the washing machine is promptly filling up with water :)

Comments

[bengarland]

I used some spare bicycle spokes that I had laying around. Cut them in half, perfect length and diameter. Worked great. They are more durable than coffee sticks (which I didn't try) and zip ties (which I tried and couldn't get to work). I would imagine that an old wire coat hanger cut into straight pieces would work just as well as bike spokes.

[d_vikram86]

I tried it with a coat hanger but could not get it to work. The washer in my apartment has some kind of gate which closes all the slots when pushed half way in. When I bring the tray out a centimeter, these gates open again. I tried many many angles but could not get it to work. Is this normal with all the speed queens or is mine a newer model? Please help me out, excited to try this hack.

[bengarland]

Unfortunately, the newer models do have this gate and it will not work :( Check all of the machines ... I found one washer and one dryer in my complex that do not have the gates.

[shurik99]

My laundry machine also has gates, BUT IT STILL WORKED for me.
Push all the way while empty. Pull back a bit so that gates are half open. Put in the McDonalds coffee stirring sticks as instructed in intractable. Push in the tray all the way (it will now go 100 percent in). Pull back fast (maybe try pulling on stick at same time so they don't get stuck).

[d_vikram86]

AAAAAH. Too bad. Will the cable tie method work with these machines? I have two washers and dryers in my floor in my apartment complex, and all of them have gates. I will look at the other floors and hope I am lucky. It is not about the money, but the thrill of doing it this way!!!!

[bengarland]

I couldn't get the cable ties to work :( I assume this is why some people suggest doing it with McDonald's coffee stirrers, since then can be squished between the gates, but I found it very difficult to do with something so flimsy.

[The Old Fart]

I feel that this is cheating and wrong but if you are okay with ripping people off and getting caught then try this as an idea. Trim chop sticks to tightly fit into each slot. they have to fit very snug and then you can push it in and out all day long. When you are done with your wash then use a coat hanger to push through the bottom hole to dislodge the chop sticks and then save for another day. Happy stealing!

[twon49506]

TRied the cuetips, did'nt work.

I have a $1.25 wash and $.75 dryer. Sangandongo's trick with the zip-tie's worked much much better.

What he forgot to mention however, was that you need to trim the end of the zip-tie that go's into the coin-slots.

Cut no more than half of the tip off! This way is much quicker, because it is in one "pretty" solid piece. 'Free Laundry For The Crafty!!!!!'

[sangandongo]

I created this little contraption with four zip ties. Saves you from having to dig up straws every time, and they're much more durable. You put one tie on per slot + one for the end brace. This was an earlier model with tape to help depress the lever. Later, I realized that the tape wasn't necessary, I just needed to get the angle right. Took about 30 seconds to get the process the first time, the following times take 15-20 seconds to jiggle it into place. Hope this helps!

[loop511]

I got the dryer to work, but when i tried to pull the tray out it was stuck, I had to get a small bar and pry it out, then I couldn't pull the sticks out, had to use pliers and that just pulled the sticks in half, so I'm sure that eventually someone will find the other half in the coin tray. Am I missing something?

[samfisher]

I've done it twice now (with McDonalds stir sticks). Both times the stir sticks break off though. Now I'm sketched that my landlord is going to find little pieces of stir stick in the coin box. Is there some step that I'm missing?

[Grey_Wolfe]

Try to find the ones that look like flat straws with a figure eight cross section. They should be stiff enough without being as brittle. McD'd stirrers are mage of a harder, and therefore, more fragile plastic. Haven't had need to try this, but that is my suggestion. Hope it helps.