More recycling and the dryer

Several months ago as some church friends prepared to move to Pittsburgh, they told us about a recycling center that took all kinds of things.  I was especially interested to hear they accepted textiles.  So the other day, after donating my bike, I drove up to El Cerritos with ten to twelve bags of old towels, sun-damaged drapes, pillows and stained clothes.  As I drove into the drop-off area, I saw a sign that said, "Styrofoam."  Oops,  I forgot to bring the pieces of styrofoam.  I fully expect to make another trip or two to drop off stuff before we move; I'll have to make sure to check the garage more carefully.

Speaking of the garage, our dryer is out of commission again.  Even though we know it is important to clean out the vent regularly, we let it slide and burned out the fuse on the heating element a couple of weeks ago.  After much effort, learning some new skills in the process, Randy repaired the dryer, and I dried a few loads of laundry.  He bought a brush with handle extenders but was unable to snake his way through the crazy-shaped exhaust duct.  It enters the wall at floor-level behind the dryer then, via three or four right angle turns, it exits the house by the front door about 7 1/2 feet above the walk.  So we hired someone to blow out the vent.  Though he used brushes and a reversible shop-vac, the technician was unable to clear the apparent clog.  He indicated he could put an auger, or screw, on his rod to try to penetrate the probable clog, but if the duct consists of two pieces which have separated, the augur might get caught on an edge and make things worse.  So we decided that was a choice for the landlord to make.  Today our freshly washed sheets hang in the doorway of the green room so the warm breeze can dry them.  And this afternoon the landlord is sending over his handyman to investigate the situation.   REMINDER:  while cleaning the lint screen is a good thing to do, and something most of us do automatically, the exhaust duct leading from the dryer to outside the house also needs cleaning periodically, perhaps every year or two.