One of the reasons that the Magtag repairman is so lonely is that nearly everyone can do simple washing machine repairs and maintenance. My mother had a washer that lasted more than 35 years. Daddy was a farmer so he knew how to fix machines but even those of us who never get our hands dirty can save some money through do-it-yourself.

I've replaced water line hoses, unkinked hoses and cleaned out overflow filters. If you are having washer problems, run through this checklist before you make a call. You'll save money and have a great sense of satisfaction that you solved the problem yourself.

I love rock and roll, so put another buck in the washer, baby. Sometimes I think of that song when my washing machine decides to rock and roll or take a walk through the laundry room. Quite often the cause is a shift in the load of wet clothes. If too many shift to one side, the machine becomes off-balance and rocking ensures. If that happens too often, the washer can become unbalanced even if loaded correctly.

It is relatively simple to balance, level or ground a washer. It's easier with an assistant but it only takes a bit of effort to get your washer off rock and roll and gently listening to the classics.

We all want our laundry to come out smelling clean and fresh. But what if your washer doesn't smell so sweet? Very few washers drain completely when a cycle is complete. I have a top loading machine and when I finish the laundry I leave the lid open for several hours to allow the interior to dry. I've found that this helps keep the machine smelling fresh.

The new front-loading machines are designed to be particularly airtight to prevent leaking around the door. So if moisture is trapped inside, musty odors and even mildew can develop. You can easily prevent problems with just a few simple precautions each time you use your machine. Get in the habit and you'll always have a clean machine.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you may remember that I have two sons in their early 20s. What you don't know is that I actually have a third son, Bunny. Bunny turned 20 years old on December 25 and is the constant cohort in mischief of my middle son, Marlowe. Bunny has been to preschool, elementary, high school and is now in college. He has traveled to Canada, New York City, Seattle, Disney World and Disneyland. He even stars in his own daily cartoon .

Bunny doesn't have much laundry for me to do, but he does need a special wash every so often. Perhaps you or your child has some Bunny friends (stuffed toys) that will enjoy a wintertime cleaning.