Detergent and Additives for my UNIMAC 28 gallon cold rinser

[gabbygail]

I recently found Automatic Washer and become seriously hooked to reading its threads...love it! I have read quite a bit of threads regarding detergents and additives BUT am still confused. So I thought if I explained my situation, someone knowledgeable could steer me in the right direction.

I have an about 15-year-old UNIMAC (the light commercial/laundromat top loader version of Speed Queen from Alliance Laundry) that I recently bought. It uses 28 gallons total (so probably 14 for wash and 14 for rinse). I can wash on hot, warm, and cold BUT all rinses are cold. Also, there is no extra rinse and no soak option. It washes with heavy agitation and is fast (completes a whole cycle in about 30 minutes).

I bought it because I have a very large family and do 3-4 loads of laundry per day and needed something FAST. I am loving the machine in that regard and that it uses plenty of water.

But I'm looking for a better detergent that will clean and rinse better. We all wear mostly sturdy clothing from used stores and hand-me-downs and lead a country life that leads to really soiled laundry. I want really clean clothes that do not smell. I am not that concerned about fabric longevity (which is why I opted for the agitating water guzzling beast of a UNIMAC). I try to wash on hot and warm when possible, but do have dark loads too.

Here are my preferences:
1. No pretreating sprays, or dissolving additives in water first. No time.
2. I don't like scents or super strong chemicals in general.
3. I don't use fabric softeners. I use wool dryer balls instead.

After reading some posts on here, I started using some additives with my ECOS detergent (Borax and OXI Clean) but honestly, I'm getting tired of using so many products and would like a better all-in-one detergent even if I am paying more because all these additives are costing a lot anyway.

I would consider buying STPP if it was the only additive I needed and I could buy a less expensive brand of main detergent. However, from the threads that I have read, a premium detergent would make the need for STPP nonexistent. We do have very hard water here but do have a water softener and I think it is doing its job.

I also read the thread about enzymes needing time to work and my UNIMAC doesn't give that time so wondering what I am doing buying OXI clean now...

Would love any and all input, especially from Launderess or Stan.

My ultimate goal is super clean clothes that don't reek of fragrances and involve the least amount of care time. With 8 kids, I really don't have time to mess around with laundry.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

What temperature do you use?

As detergents are more active in warm/hot Washes, although I guess it does help because I use Oxy clean as well as the Costco Kirkland powder detergent, it is lemon scented but I haven’t noticed a lemon scent after drying Plus do you deal with any stains? And I know you probably do not want to do soaking but it may help if you soak something overnight in between the last wash of the day and the first wash of the day Because I’m sure that you probably don’t use the machine at two or three in the morning

 

[repairguy]

Congrats Abi on getting a real washing machine. As someone who works in the elements every day and rarely comes home not soaked with sweat and dirty I can say tide with bleach powder foots the bill. Every now and then I may let the washer agitate for a few minutes and stop it for an hour before resuming on some really dirty stuff but that’s not the norm. I am not a fan of the new scent but I can overlook that with the great results that I get every time with no extra additives, scrubbing, etc. I add detergent and clothes and start the washer always on hot wash and warm rinse depending on the vintage washer I’m using at the time and then the clothes go on the line.

 

[gabbygail]

Adam-aussie-vac: I wash on hot or warm, but the washer only rinses on cold. Do you think the Kirkland powder would rinse out well on cold? Do you use the oxi-clean as an additive on all loads with the Kirkland powder?

Repairguy: Have you had a problem with the Tide w/bleach discoloring your clothes? Also, do you think it the powder would rinse out well on cold? Warm rinse is not an option on my Unimac. Also, how much of the Tide w/bleach do you use per load (I am assuming you use oldie washers that use a lot of water too)? Thanks for the tip on soaking.

 

[repairguy]

I’ve experienced no discoloration on anything and the detergent rinses great in both warm or cold. Is there anything but oldie washers? Lol! Yup vintage washers are all I use. I use a full scoop for all full size or heavily soiled loads. Maybe 1/2 for medium size normal soil. The water here is kind of hard.

 

[ryner1988]

"is there anything but oldie washers?"

Not unless it's a transmission-style Speed Queen. Kicking myself a bit for waiting too long to buy my new washer and letting that one go. It would have been an incredible price for it. Ah well, so it goes. My 2005 Whirlpool direct drive is a great machine and I really have no complaints. It's gotten clothes clean that I thought were forever ruined.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

yes, it would rinse out easly

as the hot water would disolve