Laundry Ponderings

You know those cute little couches that fold out to beds, the ones at walmart and target that have the popular, cute little cartoon characters on them? We have one, a spiderman one in fact. We got it because it goes with his bedroom theme (spiderman/cars), was an inexpensive solution for kids seating and nap time (or overnight little visitors) and who wouldn't want a couch tailored exactly to your size? So we got one about a year and a half ago, as well as a single chair (to which all of the following applies as well).

Until now I've been able to just take the cover off and wash it in the washing machine, but with Lex potty training, its needing a little more than that! (btw Lex is doing fabulously with potty training. He finally decided it was cool or something! As most kids he has the hardest time with naps and nightime.) It unzips on the bottom, but they did not include the tabby part of the zipper. And it is just about impossible to get the cover off without one! Eventually I remembered I had some very thin wire (that hole for it is very small) and that has worked wonderfully (I have been keeping the wire in the laundry room ever since). I know what to do with the cover (throw it in the wash), but how do you clean the foam part? It's such an odd large shape. I don't remember ever seeing anyone clean one before. Do you hose it down outside, wash it in the tub? I opted to wash in the tub. And it was DIRTY! And I was letting the kids play and sleep on it! Ewww!

Which got me thinking about pre-washing machine times. Those women did a lot of work, taking to the nearest body of water (or bringing water to it), hand washing, line drying. Very labor intensive. I would be in excellent shape if I did all that for all our laundry! There was also more foam to wash (from Lex's bed). He has so many pillows and blankets that it takes 4 loads of laundry and hand washing the foam overlay (just like the couch)to get it ready again! I am so glad God created me in this "modern time" with washing machines and stovetops and dishwashers(although I'm one of those weird people that have to completely wash (and rinse!!)the dishes before loading them in the dishwasher). And climate control! God knew I would not have stood a chance without heat and air! If you can't tell I'm an indoor kinda girl...

My advice to anyone wanting to get one:
1. Stop by the fake flower section and pick up some of the very thin wire in the accessory section, for cover removal.
2. Just know that they smell a little. You think it is like manufacturing related and will go away over time, but it won't. It will dissapate some with washings, but some stink will still remain.
3. Every drink spill, accident, and other messes will require about 45 min of your time cleaning and reassembling, as well as drying time, and an explanation to "where my couch go mama?" followed by "no it belongs RIGHT HERE!" As well as keeping the children away for said 45 min, which is no easy task, especially with two, probably fighting, children.
4. Make sure you have something large enough to clean it in. A tub, a very large watertight storage container, a place outside to wash it off, or whatever.

I know one thing; from now on we buy things by how washable they are!