I use a chop-stick to reach the clothes in my washer and the ones who insist on hiding in my dryer. I recently got a new washer and what a surprise. No knob for water level--it adds water according to the weight of the clothes. There are no "arms" on the agitator just a center post. The machine won't add water unless the lid is closed. So many changes. My old washer had a super big drum and now there is only two of us, so I needed small. Unfortunately small didn't mean shallow and I still can't reach. It's not fun being short, and being old makes it harder. lol
Sue