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Valued Contributor
Posts: 923
Registered: ‎04-02-2015

@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😬.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,148
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@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. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,937
Registered: ‎01-25-2023

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!

Lynn-Critter Lover!
(especially cats!)
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,355
Registered: ‎10-23-2015

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.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,169
Registered: ‎06-04-2012

@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. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,169
Registered: ‎06-04-2012

@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!