Best tips for using our new Speed Queen TC5 washer? And is extra fill option best for full loads?

[studly]

Just received our new SQ TC5 washer. I found the generic manual they give you is really lacking in details, so wanted to ask the experts here.

Should I use the extra fill option for all full loads, and then use the regular fill for partial loads?

What's a good rule of thumb for how much powder HE detergent we should use? If the clothes are only lightly soiled, is a couple tablespoons good, or enough just to get some suds on the top of the water?

I thought I read a while back in other forums that people were amazed that their SQ washer had such a fast spin rate, that their clothes came out much dryer out of the washer than other brands of washers, and thus required less time in the dryer. However, ours doesn't seem to do that ... tends to leave things wetter than our old LG top loader. Is this typical and is the spin rate nothing special? Or maybe it has to be on certain settings to get the fastest spin rate?

Any other tips on how to master this TC5 beast?

 

[studly]

Ignore my question above about the spin speed. Found the full manual on SQ's site and read that the Permanent Press setting, which my wife was using on our test, has a slower spin speed. So that is why the clothes were wetter than we expected. But just curious, does the TC5 have a faster max spin speed than most other brands or is it fairly typical of all of them?

 

[DADoES]

 
Specifications I find cite 710 RPM for high spin, 474 for low.  Compares on average with other toploaders, although some others reach 800 to 950 or more.

 

[studly]

Thanks for the RPM info! Interesting.

 

[supersurgilator]

I've been using my TC5 for almost 3 years and absolutely LOVE it. Yes always use the deep fill option when washing full loads. The regular setting fills the tub about 3/4th full and is for all partial loads. Its more like a medium setting. I also always select the heavy soil setting when I'm washing full loads. This adds an additional 4 minutes of wash time to the cycle. It would depend how dirty the clothes are but I just feel like this gives it a bit more time to circulate the clothes.

I haven't noticed the clothes being any wetter at the end of the cycle, but I'm sure your LG spun a lot faster so that may be why they feel wetter to you.

The amount of detergent to use depends on the amount of soil in the laundry, water temperature and water hardness. Start with an amount that you think should be good and feel whether or not the water has a slippery feeling to it. If it does you are using enough soap. I never go by level of suds to determine the correct amount of detergent, especially with the low sudsing HE detergents plus the fact I have hard water.

I hope you have many years of enjoyment out of your machine!

 

[good-shepherd]

is a couple tablespoons good

Tablespoons?!

One and a half times the suggested large load size dose would be more like it IMO. And throw in a half cup of 20 Mule Team Borax as a detergent booster.

Better to use more detergent than necessary rather than having a crudded up machine and laundry thats not as clean as it could be.

 

[combo52]

Amount of Detergent To use in a TL washer.

Reply #5, Good Advice

 

Always use enough to get the water good and slippery and if you are trying to wash in cold water use about 50% more if the wash water is too cold to bathe in.

 

In any washer it is usually better to use too much than too little, the damage you do to the washer with too little can be very bad and cause early expensive repairs and may destroy many machines.

 

Using too little detergent and too cold wash temps are easily the single worst thing that many owners do to their washers that cause repair or complete replacement of the machine.

 

John L.

 

[pinkpower4]

I found this info, which may be a good place to start???

I've read where you can start with the lines on the measuring cap or scoop that comes with the detergent as a guide and go from there at least for the old traditional top loads or the top loads that actually fill with water. Use the line that corresponds to capacity. For example, the TC5 is a 3.2 cu. ft. washer. The Maytag mvwp575gw is a 3.5 cu. ft. washer. I have been using just above line 3 for a full load and line 4 for heavily soiled items. I use line 2 (normal soil) or line 3 (heavy soil) for a half load. Then you can try see if the water feels slippery or not.

I have both of these washers now, as I didn't want to take a chance the SQ TC would no longer be sold later . Some people go crazy in their old age and buy sports car, I guess this is was it for me LOL. I use them both on a regular basis now depending on what I'm washing. The Maytag was lacking options when it came to washing smaller loads. I find myself often using the Normal Eco on heavy (the water temp seems to be what I chose and you will get a longer wash time, but you have to select heavy option) for my office wear. The spray rinse is fine for them and saves water.

If I had a front load or one of the HE washers that uses less water, I would start out with half that much for a full and half size load. In other words, I try my best to get the right amount of detergent based on the amount of water actually used instead of going by capacity for these washers.

I also use Oxi-Clean as needed and occasionally bleach. All washes are warm or hot.

I use mostly Tide original scent or Tide with bleach powder, but I also like Persil Intense Fresh and Tide 10x liquid (this seems to work well on heavily soiled work or outdoor wear).

My clothes have been coming out clean.

A full load is dry clothes loosely placed around the agitator, but you don't want them to be higher than the top of the agitator. The clothes should be able to circulate freely but not swim. I know where the water comes for a half load, so I use that as my fill line for that size.

I no longer use fabric softener or dryer sheets. The coating makes towels less absorbent, can coat the sensors in the dryer, and can keep the detergent from working as well next time. All rinses are cold now with the agitation time being very brief on most washers before the rinse water is drained, and the softener just didn't seem to mix well. It can also build up. The dispenser would get goo and a funky smell. That was my experience using it briefly.

I do occasionally use scent boosters. At least they are used where the water is warm or hot to dissolve better and are followed by a rinse. They are not supposed to have the coating effect to soften the fabric.

I also use my spin dryers whenever possible. I have both the Panda and Ninja. Overall, I recommend the Ninja for balance and quietness. It also seems to extra a little more water. It cuts my drying time down to at least a half or more using the proper heat setting. When doing laundry for a family, you should notice a small difference on your electric bill. Not only does it save electricity, but it seems to get out a little more of the detergent left behind.

Anyway, this is what has been working for me.