topic Re: Handy tips in Home

Handy tips

Coastalcarolina — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:40:36 GMT

I wanted to share something that I do. I am short, 5' 2". I find that new washing machines (top loaders), can be very deep. I can't reach the bottom to retrieve clean laundry.

I have a nice pair of silicone tongs that I keep beside machine. It easily extends my reach and I no longer strain or hurt my torso trying to get things at the bottom. I thought it might help some of my shorter friends!

Re: Handy tips

FranandZoe — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:54:44 GMT

That's a great idea! I'm going to buy a pair of silicone tongs just for that purpose! I'm 5'1" and my washer is very deep.

Re: Handy tips

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:54:18 GMT

Very helpful tip for us shorties, thanks.

Re: Handy tips

Jk9 — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:54:23 GMT

That's a nice, practical tip @Coastalcarolina . Thank you for posting.

Re: Handy tips

spumoni99 — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:57:43 GMT

I started doing this about a year ago...a life saver!!!

Re: Handy tips

Q-Checker — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:58:01 GMT

I sometimes use tongs to reach things that have somehow moved to the back of my deep frig.

Re: Handy tips

SactoSue — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:24:26 GMT

I seem to need those grabber tongs in every room in the house, and in the garage, too.

They never seem around in the right place when I need them.

Re: Handy tips

lynnie61 — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 09:56:21 GMT

@Coastalcarolina Thank you! I'm 5'4" and can't reach either. Great idea. I get on a small step stool, probably not the best idea, and a chance of a fall.

Re: Handy tips

Judaline — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:54:27 GMT

I welcome things like having to bend over, reach for something, etc. It's good exercise! Unless of course one is handicapped-then I would resort to tongs or whatever works.

Re: Handy tips

San Antonio Gal — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:24:13 GMT

How about a little step stool? Wouldn't that work?

Re: Handy tips

Coastalcarolina — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:28:02 GMT

@Judaline, this is true. I do exercise and do my own housework. But trying to reach down into the washing machine is impossible for me. My arms are just too short. I guess my body shape, short waisted, doesn't allow a comfortable bend. I've even tried wearing high espadrilles to see if I could reach further over! I fell in the past and broke my foot from a step stool, so no more of that😬.

Re: Handy tips

Judaline — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:39:11 GMT

@Coastalcarolina wrote:
@Judaline, this is true. I do exercise and do my own housework. But trying to reach down into the washing machine is impossible for me. My arms are just too short. I guess my body shape, short waisted, doesn't allow a comfortable bend. I've even tried wearing high espadrilles to see if I could reach further over! I fell in the past and broke my foot from a step stool, so no more of that😬.

What I do is boost myself up with my arms then kind of hang over to reach the clothes. I'm down to 5'1'' now.

Re: Handy tips

We rescue cats — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:50:06 GMT

I'm fairly tall, 5'7" but I still keep a set of these tongs in nearly every room in the house, each car and the camper. I sometimes need to reach under the seat in a car, or from the tailgate I cannot reach a package that has slid, the motorhome seems to always have something that slid away from my reach. They are lifesavers!

Re: Handy tips

Linda0215 — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:55:00 GMT

I feel your pain. I'm short too and have a top loader. I have an old, white plastic, long handled spoon that I use to push the clothes around closer to me so that I can grab them. I think I used to use it back in the day to stir jugs of iced tea. Works like a charm.

The thing I really hate though, is reaching into the nether regions of the dryer to get a random sock or something. I feel like I'm almost crawling inside the thing.

Re: Handy tips

rockygems123 — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:59:23 GMT

@FranandZoe wrote:
That's a great idea! I'm going to buy a pair of silicone tongs just for that purpose! I'm 5'1" and my washer is very deep.

@FranandZoe

TJMaxx usually has a nice assortment of tongs at very good prices.

Re: Handy tips

rockygems123 — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:03:11 GMT

@Coastalcarolina wrote:
I wanted to share something that I do. I am short, 5' 2". I find that new washing machines (top loaders), can be very deep. I can't reach the bottom to retrieve clean laundry.

I have a nice pair of silicone tongs that I keep beside machine. It easily extends my reach and I no longer strain or hurt my torso trying to get things at the bottom. I thought it might help some of my shorter friends!

@Coastalcarolina

I've been wondering about that! Have been meaning to ask my 5' and shorter friends how they're handling this situation.

I see them next week and will mention the tongs thanks! I'm 5'4" and have a tough time getting to the bottom. I know what you mean about twisting & turning the torso it's uncomfortable!