hooverboy1
Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
- Messages
- 11
The ones that stand out the most in my mind are my grandmother's old Maytag center dial washer and dryer.
Does anyone remember washers or dryers of thier childhood?
- Thread starter hooverboy1
- Start date
I remember my aunt's 1952 Unimatic and my mom's Maytag AMP with the flat top and lighted logo on the front. I hated our Maytag because you couldn't watch it, and if you tried to open the lid during spin, a solenoid would bang and my mom would yell at me to stop playing with the washer.
gewa1054wguy
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- Joined
- Jun 18, 2007
- Messages
- 146
Better yet
Hunting for and then finding the set you grew up with!
Hunting for and then finding the set you grew up with!
I find it unfathomable one could not remember, but maybe
it makes a difference when your childhood was. I certainly
remember the washer and dryer from my childhood - a wringer
washer and a clothesline. It was lots of fun putting stuff
through the wringer (with a stick to make sure your fingers
didn't get caught). Taking the clothes off the line wasn't
as much fun, but I remember doing it.
it makes a difference when your childhood was. I certainly
remember the washer and dryer from my childhood - a wringer
washer and a clothesline. It was lots of fun putting stuff
through the wringer (with a stick to make sure your fingers
didn't get caught). Taking the clothes off the line wasn't
as much fun, but I remember doing it.
maytagbear
Well-known member
The washer of my childhood shows up
as a POD every so often. It is the Whirlpool Imperial with the mom and the twin boys. It lasted until 1978, when it was replaced with an A208.
Our dryer was a Maytag Highlander.
An aunt had a Frigidaire Rollermatic that I liked very much. It had the cute little window in the lid and the offset timer. I wished that the window had been bigger, and that there hadn't been the enameled line on the window. Oh, well.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
as a POD every so often. It is the Whirlpool Imperial with the mom and the twin boys. It lasted until 1978, when it was replaced with an A208.
Our dryer was a Maytag Highlander.
An aunt had a Frigidaire Rollermatic that I liked very much. It had the cute little window in the lid and the offset timer. I wished that the window had been bigger, and that there hadn't been the enameled line on the window. Oh, well.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
Surely.
My family had a 1962 Whirlpool LJA3200 and a 1964 LME4600. Then in 1976 an LDA7800, with an LDE7800 dryer in 1977. Now my parents have a 1994 KitchenAid set.
Paternal grandparents had a 1950-something Whirlpool, with a pop-the-top lid. Then a late 1960s Supreme 80 washer in white, mated a few years later with a Supreme 80 dryer in avocado.
One of the paternal aunts had a late 1960s Kenmore 800 washer, mated with an early 1960s dryer that went into the early 70s when they got a Whirly dryer. That Kenmore 800 went into the late 1980s or early 1990s when a matching direct-drive set came along. Another aunt had an 1960s Kenmore with a cartridge waterfall filter. The third aunt had a 1960s Speed Queen pair. The washer was replaced with a belt-drive Whirlpool in the early 1980s. Then a Maytag. Now they have another Maytag pair. When my dad's uncle married in the early 1970s, his wife brought along a Wizard.
Maternal grandmother had a 1950s flat-top Kenmore (with a Kenmore wringer still hanging around), then a 1960s Kelvinator (given to her by neighbors) that had an ongoing electrical problem. A 1970/71 Kenmore 70, mated in 1972 with a Whirlpool dryer. Then a Whirlpool Design2000. She got my KA 760 pair in 1999. Now she has my F&P GWL08 & DE04. Granny's sister had a Whirlpool LPA-series washer for many years, then a lower-end Roper. She never had a dryer.
Various sets remembered from neighbors .... a 1960s coppertone Kenmore 70 pair. Lots of Whirlpools in town. A couple neighbors had Catalina. Family friends had a 1960s Philco pair, then an Easy set. My kindergarten teacher (private school at her house) had a stacked Westy SpaceMates set. A couple of granny's friends had Maytags, and there were a couple GEs.
My family had a 1962 Whirlpool LJA3200 and a 1964 LME4600. Then in 1976 an LDA7800, with an LDE7800 dryer in 1977. Now my parents have a 1994 KitchenAid set.
Paternal grandparents had a 1950-something Whirlpool, with a pop-the-top lid. Then a late 1960s Supreme 80 washer in white, mated a few years later with a Supreme 80 dryer in avocado.
One of the paternal aunts had a late 1960s Kenmore 800 washer, mated with an early 1960s dryer that went into the early 70s when they got a Whirly dryer. That Kenmore 800 went into the late 1980s or early 1990s when a matching direct-drive set came along. Another aunt had an 1960s Kenmore with a cartridge waterfall filter. The third aunt had a 1960s Speed Queen pair. The washer was replaced with a belt-drive Whirlpool in the early 1980s. Then a Maytag. Now they have another Maytag pair. When my dad's uncle married in the early 1970s, his wife brought along a Wizard.
Maternal grandmother had a 1950s flat-top Kenmore (with a Kenmore wringer still hanging around), then a 1960s Kelvinator (given to her by neighbors) that had an ongoing electrical problem. A 1970/71 Kenmore 70, mated in 1972 with a Whirlpool dryer. Then a Whirlpool Design2000. She got my KA 760 pair in 1999. Now she has my F&P GWL08 & DE04. Granny's sister had a Whirlpool LPA-series washer for many years, then a lower-end Roper. She never had a dryer.
Various sets remembered from neighbors .... a 1960s coppertone Kenmore 70 pair. Lots of Whirlpools in town. A couple neighbors had Catalina. Family friends had a 1960s Philco pair, then an Easy set. My kindergarten teacher (private school at her house) had a stacked Westy SpaceMates set. A couple of granny's friends had Maytags, and there were a couple GEs.
SactoTeddyBear
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2004
- Messages
- 1,302
Childhood Washers & Dryers:
My Parent's had a 1945/46 Bolt-Down Bendix Washer and a 1950 Westinghouse Electric Dryer, with the Solid Door, instead of the Glass Window, however it looked like it had the Glass, but it was Black Painted, with Westinghouse written at a 45-Degree angle, from Lower Left to Upper Right.
The next Washer was a 1956 Kenmore Washer, with the Pregnant Black Roto-Swirl Agitator and the Blue Timer Dial. It also had a Float for the Water Level and Push-Buttons for the Water Level {High/Low} & Water Temp {Hot, Medium, Warm}.
The next Washer and Dryer was a 1959 Hotpoint Solid Tub Washer, with the Slim-Neck Black Agitator and the Red
Bake-Lite Lint Filter Outer Frame and the Metal Screen inside. It also had the Red Detergent Pan, that fit on top of the Lint Filter. The Dryer was a 1962 Hotpoint Electric Dryer and it had a Trap-Door in the Drum, to open and clean out around the whole Drum area and around the Heating Element, which was Solid, similar to an Oven Element.
The next Washer was a 1966 Frigidaire Custom Deluxe Jet-Action Washer, with the Roller-Matic Mechanism.
The next Washer was a 1968 Lady-K Set, with the Pre-Set Controls and the Gold Vari-Flex Agitator, Detergent Dispenser on the outer Right side of the Lid and the Bleach & Fabric Softener {combined} on the inside Front-Left corner. The Dryer was Electric and they were both the first Colored Machines, in Copper-Tone.
The next and final Washer & Dryer were a 1985 Lady-K Mechanical Set, with the Triple Dispenser on the Right side of the Lid and they were in Almond Color.
Peace and Great Times of doing Laundry, while growing up, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
My Parent's had a 1945/46 Bolt-Down Bendix Washer and a 1950 Westinghouse Electric Dryer, with the Solid Door, instead of the Glass Window, however it looked like it had the Glass, but it was Black Painted, with Westinghouse written at a 45-Degree angle, from Lower Left to Upper Right.
The next Washer was a 1956 Kenmore Washer, with the Pregnant Black Roto-Swirl Agitator and the Blue Timer Dial. It also had a Float for the Water Level and Push-Buttons for the Water Level {High/Low} & Water Temp {Hot, Medium, Warm}.
The next Washer and Dryer was a 1959 Hotpoint Solid Tub Washer, with the Slim-Neck Black Agitator and the Red
Bake-Lite Lint Filter Outer Frame and the Metal Screen inside. It also had the Red Detergent Pan, that fit on top of the Lint Filter. The Dryer was a 1962 Hotpoint Electric Dryer and it had a Trap-Door in the Drum, to open and clean out around the whole Drum area and around the Heating Element, which was Solid, similar to an Oven Element.
The next Washer was a 1966 Frigidaire Custom Deluxe Jet-Action Washer, with the Roller-Matic Mechanism.
The next Washer was a 1968 Lady-K Set, with the Pre-Set Controls and the Gold Vari-Flex Agitator, Detergent Dispenser on the outer Right side of the Lid and the Bleach & Fabric Softener {combined} on the inside Front-Left corner. The Dryer was Electric and they were both the first Colored Machines, in Copper-Tone.
The next and final Washer & Dryer were a 1985 Lady-K Mechanical Set, with the Triple Dispenser on the Right side of the Lid and they were in Almond Color.
Peace and Great Times of doing Laundry, while growing up, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
christfr
Well-known member
ha ha mom had a 59 baby yellow GE set that ate socks all the time.. then in 63 she got a pool washer that ran till we gave it away in like 1990.. but do remember putting my little brother into the dryer when he was about 3 and turning it on thill he cried.. i know it was a bad thing to do but i liked it.. my bad
gyrafoam
Well-known member
Chris ain't right!
Too funny!
Too funny!
christfr
Well-known member
oh yea sure gang up on me... just bein honest ha ha..at first he sort of liked it then he cried.. and i dont think mom ever found out ..
My mom had a 56 Hotpoint till about 64 when she replaced it with a Hotpoint "Sillouette" with the double burping lint filter pan. In 1973 we moved into my Great Aunt's old house which came with a 59 GE filter flo so we used it till the tyranny went out in the late 70's. After that, washers just didn't seem to be as much fun as these older washers to me.
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
I remember my mom's '57 Easy, but just barely. That was followed by a '69 Kenmore, an 80-something Kenmore, and a 90-something Frigidaire that tangled clothes terribly.
Glenn: Catalina?
veg
Glenn: Catalina?
veg
peterh770
Well-known member
I grew up with a 1968 Kenmore Model 70 set, lasted from 1968 until 1996.
Grandmother had a Bendix Deluxe and an original Hamilton dryer until the early 1970's when she also got a Kenmore Model 70 washer and later a Kenmore "match all" dryer.
I remember 2 aunts with early GE's, one with a Norge, one with an Imperial Whirlpool, one with a Westy SpaceMates set.
Grandmother had a Bendix Deluxe and an original Hamilton dryer until the early 1970's when she also got a Kenmore Model 70 washer and later a Kenmore "match all" dryer.
I remember 2 aunts with early GE's, one with a Norge, one with an Imperial Whirlpool, one with a Westy SpaceMates set.
hoover1060
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2005
- Messages
- 3,309
My mom had:
1964 Maytag A702 and 1959 BOL Hotpoint dryer in coppertone
Replaced with:
1977 Maytag A608 and DE608 set in harvest gold
Replaced by:
1996 Maytag Dependable Care set in almond(still in use)
My grandmother used a wringer washer until 1977 when she got her first automatic set, Harvest gold Whirlpools. I don't remember the model numbers, but the washer had 4 temp pushbuttons, and I think maybe 3 water levels? I do remember the sounds and clunks that washer made!
1964 Maytag A702 and 1959 BOL Hotpoint dryer in coppertone
Replaced with:
1977 Maytag A608 and DE608 set in harvest gold
Replaced by:
1996 Maytag Dependable Care set in almond(still in use)
My grandmother used a wringer washer until 1977 when she got her first automatic set, Harvest gold Whirlpools. I don't remember the model numbers, but the washer had 4 temp pushbuttons, and I think maybe 3 water levels? I do remember the sounds and clunks that washer made!
It's interesting, the first washer we ever owned was the one that got me hooked; it was a 1956 or 57 Whirlpool BOL (that I've seen pictured on this site) that was illegally hooked up to our apartment sink. While I remember the pleasure of watching it spin (the days before safety switches), I can't clearly remember the control panel except that it had a blue plastic dial and it had a very simple straight vane Whirlpool black agitator that I have yet to see pictured on this site. It looked very similar to ones in Whirlpool and Sears wringer washers, but it had no "taper" before the cap.
The washer I do remember from childhood, because I picked it out from the store, was a used GE 1960 solid tub that I'm still looking for and I'm still trying to verify the model number of. This one (we didn't have the dryer--it's an assumption):
The washer I do remember from childhood, because I picked it out from the store, was a used GE 1960 solid tub that I'm still looking for and I'm still trying to verify the model number of. This one (we didn't have the dryer--it's an assumption):
Does anyone remember the washer of their childhood
The first washer and dryer I can remember was a top of the line Kelvinator washer and matching dryer. They had copper-tone trim and both had lights on the backpanels. The washer had a window in the lid. They used those Kelvinators until 1968-69 when they were replaced with Frigidaire washer and dryer. They used these until just a few years ago when the water would no longer come into the washer tub.
My grandparents had a 1950 or 1951 Frigidaire washer and dryer. I remember how that washer sounded and they both had labels on the front of the machines that said they were all porcelon. The dryer collected the moisture in a drawer. They worked until the 1980's when they moved. Wonder what ever happened to that Frigidaire pair!
I got my first washer and dryer on July 2,1974. They were Maytag 806's. They still work and I just replaced a new Whirlpool washer and dryer with the Maaytag Neptunes.
The first washer and dryer I can remember was a top of the line Kelvinator washer and matching dryer. They had copper-tone trim and both had lights on the backpanels. The washer had a window in the lid. They used those Kelvinators until 1968-69 when they were replaced with Frigidaire washer and dryer. They used these until just a few years ago when the water would no longer come into the washer tub.
My grandparents had a 1950 or 1951 Frigidaire washer and dryer. I remember how that washer sounded and they both had labels on the front of the machines that said they were all porcelon. The dryer collected the moisture in a drawer. They worked until the 1980's when they moved. Wonder what ever happened to that Frigidaire pair!
I got my first washer and dryer on July 2,1974. They were Maytag 806's. They still work and I just replaced a new Whirlpool washer and dryer with the Maaytag Neptunes.
We had only one automatic washer from 1960-1985, which was a Kenmore Model 80, with the colorful toggle-pushbuttons and rhythmic rapid-advance timer. There were so many times I wanted that damn thing to konk out so I could talk my parents into a Frigidaire, but it kept on working. And working. And working.
Oh, it needed service plenty of times during its life, but my stepfather (who came into the picture in 1974) thought the machine was cool and wanted to preserve it. So, he'd find parts at junk yards and kept it running.
After college, I returned to the family home. Within a year my Mom passed and my stepfather moved to Arizona. As soon as I'd saved up the money, I went to our local Frigidaire dealership, opened the lid on a 1-18 and found....A WCI!!
I was crushed.
I settled on a large-capacity Whirlpool with a winged Surgilator (and matching dryer). Only had them until mid-'86 when I moved; they stayed with the house. As did my TOL KitchenAid dishwasher.
Oh, it needed service plenty of times during its life, but my stepfather (who came into the picture in 1974) thought the machine was cool and wanted to preserve it. So, he'd find parts at junk yards and kept it running.
After college, I returned to the family home. Within a year my Mom passed and my stepfather moved to Arizona. As soon as I'd saved up the money, I went to our local Frigidaire dealership, opened the lid on a 1-18 and found....A WCI!!
I was crushed.
I settled on a large-capacity Whirlpool with a winged Surgilator (and matching dryer). Only had them until mid-'86 when I moved; they stayed with the house. As did my TOL KitchenAid dishwasher.
Veg, Catalina was a White's Home & Auto house brand, Norge family with the hellacious brake.
Growing up with washers
I guess when I was growing up just about everyone in my family had Kenmores. The very first machine I have any recollection of was a portable/convertable Kenmore beltdrive from the mid 1970's. I have the same machine now but from 1984. Mom and Dad then upgraded to full-size Kenmores in 1980 or so with Kenmore 80 series machines. Nothing fancy though. My aunt had a 70 series and my Mom's parents also had 80 series. Dual-Action Agitators...blah! I eventually did a swap with a neighbors machine and put the penta-swirl in ours and it was at least a little more fun.
I guess with all of the boring Kenmores around me it is no wonder why, to this day, I still lust over a 1960's GE pair. My Dad's mother had that absolutely beautiful 1968/69 GE pair that was near TOL. There is a picture on the site of me as a very young boy watching these. The filter-flo fascinated me to no end as well as a washer that actually spun out the water. (Everything else neutral drained in my life.) And THREE washing speeds!!! Made my head spin!!! Loved those. One day I'm going to find them again I know it! Thanks for reading.
Jon
I guess when I was growing up just about everyone in my family had Kenmores. The very first machine I have any recollection of was a portable/convertable Kenmore beltdrive from the mid 1970's. I have the same machine now but from 1984. Mom and Dad then upgraded to full-size Kenmores in 1980 or so with Kenmore 80 series machines. Nothing fancy though. My aunt had a 70 series and my Mom's parents also had 80 series. Dual-Action Agitators...blah! I eventually did a swap with a neighbors machine and put the penta-swirl in ours and it was at least a little more fun.
I guess with all of the boring Kenmores around me it is no wonder why, to this day, I still lust over a 1960's GE pair. My Dad's mother had that absolutely beautiful 1968/69 GE pair that was near TOL. There is a picture on the site of me as a very young boy watching these. The filter-flo fascinated me to no end as well as a washer that actually spun out the water. (Everything else neutral drained in my life.) And THREE washing speeds!!! Made my head spin!!! Loved those. One day I'm going to find them again I know it! Thanks for reading.
Jon
Hi everybody - new member here. I remember my grandmother's '53 or '54 Frigidaire washer. She also had a '50's Frigidare refrigirator with the freezer on the bottom and you stepped on a little pedal to get it to open. She later got a '65 Frigidaire Deluxe dryer (all the appliances were white). My aunt (her sister) had a early '50's range and a late '40's refrigerator (all white). She had an early '60's GE washer and then got a late '70's Frigidare washer and dryer. My parents had a '61 or '62 Frigidaire Custom Deluxe washer and dryer and Custom Imperial double oven range and refrigerator with top freezer. (all were pink and lasted into the late '80's) My mom still has the double broiler as well as the pancake griddle that came with the range. Does anyone have any pictures of the '61 or '62 Frigidaire appliance line? If I would have known then what I know now, I would have latched on to those appliances when my folks got rid of them!
veg-o-matic
Well-known member
Thanks, Glenn. Never heard of it. I guess White's was something like Western Auto?
veg
veg
I remember...
My mom had an almond 1981 Wards pair. Large size, but I don't remember the model. No bleach dispenser so I guess they were near BOL for their size, but it did have the huge almond or white burpalator with the lint filter pan and a fabric softener dispensor. The dryer could hardly turn the drum without coating everything nearby with lint. The washer had so many clunks and bangs, it was like listening to a war while washing, and when it spun, it shook the house. The dryer had only one heat setting, scortch! It had only the timer knob, and the end of cycle buzzer seemed to be the only thing on it that wouldn't die!
This set was replaced in January 1994 with a Kenmore 80 series pair. They were boring, but were effective, and lots quieter than the MW pair. They were also noticeably lighter in their construction. The dryer's timer failed around 1998 or so, so you had to manyally stop the thing (my dad was too cheap to fix it). A fuse or a thermostat failed around 2001 or 2002 and my father threw it away and got a new one. I have since majored in, and dedicated my life to, historic preservation and believe me, it was through no influence of my parents who firmly believe that because something is new, it must be better. The dryer was replaced with a new Kenmore dryer with the lint filter in front. It had a light in the back of the drum which never worked right. This dryer wasn't as good as the one it replaced.
In 2006, my parents gave away the pair when they renovated the kitchen and got a GE Adora? front loading pair. The dryer, while effective, has the worst lint filter I have ever encountered. Lint sticks to it like glue! The washer, for lack of a better term, sucks! I can wash 3 loads in my Maytag A208 in the time it takes her new GE to wash 1. Also, the Maytag is better at washing, the clothes come out of the GE with every piece of lint and cat hair they had when they went in. I hope that GE Adora dies a horrible, painful, and rapid death in the very near future! It gets the clothes wet, but it won't clean or rinse.
My mother's parents have a mid 1970s GE Filter Flo with a black control panel and toggle switches. It also has a straight vane agitator. It is very well equipped and does a great job washing. They have had it all my life and it just got a new pump, but is still going strong. It was originally paired with an unknown Kenmore dryer, vintage 1966? It had a metal-style handle on the door. It was replaced around 1985 with a Kenmore center-dial, large capacity gas dryer. That dryer is still going strong.
My father's parents had a Whirlpoo of unknown model from about 1971. It lasted into the late 1990s, but the matching dryer is still going strong. The washer's lid had a metal handle, and the surgilator was either beige or white. The dryer has a plastic door over the lint filter. The washer was replaced with an unknown post-Filter Flo GE of poor quality.
That's all I can remember for now,
Dave (Maytag A208 & DE308)
My mom had an almond 1981 Wards pair. Large size, but I don't remember the model. No bleach dispenser so I guess they were near BOL for their size, but it did have the huge almond or white burpalator with the lint filter pan and a fabric softener dispensor. The dryer could hardly turn the drum without coating everything nearby with lint. The washer had so many clunks and bangs, it was like listening to a war while washing, and when it spun, it shook the house. The dryer had only one heat setting, scortch! It had only the timer knob, and the end of cycle buzzer seemed to be the only thing on it that wouldn't die!
This set was replaced in January 1994 with a Kenmore 80 series pair. They were boring, but were effective, and lots quieter than the MW pair. They were also noticeably lighter in their construction. The dryer's timer failed around 1998 or so, so you had to manyally stop the thing (my dad was too cheap to fix it). A fuse or a thermostat failed around 2001 or 2002 and my father threw it away and got a new one. I have since majored in, and dedicated my life to, historic preservation and believe me, it was through no influence of my parents who firmly believe that because something is new, it must be better. The dryer was replaced with a new Kenmore dryer with the lint filter in front. It had a light in the back of the drum which never worked right. This dryer wasn't as good as the one it replaced.
In 2006, my parents gave away the pair when they renovated the kitchen and got a GE Adora? front loading pair. The dryer, while effective, has the worst lint filter I have ever encountered. Lint sticks to it like glue! The washer, for lack of a better term, sucks! I can wash 3 loads in my Maytag A208 in the time it takes her new GE to wash 1. Also, the Maytag is better at washing, the clothes come out of the GE with every piece of lint and cat hair they had when they went in. I hope that GE Adora dies a horrible, painful, and rapid death in the very near future! It gets the clothes wet, but it won't clean or rinse.
My mother's parents have a mid 1970s GE Filter Flo with a black control panel and toggle switches. It also has a straight vane agitator. It is very well equipped and does a great job washing. They have had it all my life and it just got a new pump, but is still going strong. It was originally paired with an unknown Kenmore dryer, vintage 1966? It had a metal-style handle on the door. It was replaced around 1985 with a Kenmore center-dial, large capacity gas dryer. That dryer is still going strong.
My father's parents had a Whirlpoo of unknown model from about 1971. It lasted into the late 1990s, but the matching dryer is still going strong. The washer's lid had a metal handle, and the surgilator was either beige or white. The dryer has a plastic door over the lint filter. The washer was replaced with an unknown post-Filter Flo GE of poor quality.
That's all I can remember for now,
Dave (Maytag A208 & DE308)
filterflo
New member
Not only do I remember my Mom's first automatic, Im one of the few people that actually stll have it! My Mom bought a GE FilterFlo in 1956 when I was 3 yrs old. I clearly remember my aunt and uncle coming over after it was delivered to do the hook up on it as my Dad was not very mechanical. It gave my Mom excellent service without any mechanical breakdowns until 1974 when she got a new GE set. The only problem she ever had with it was our socks going over the top of the tub and getting caught in the pump.......I saved the washer even after she got her new one/long before anyone was collecting appliances. Im thrilled that I still have it and the memories it brings back when I wash with it and even the smell of the inside of the tub............
filterflo
New member
My Mom's 1956 GE, Top and Filter pan
filterflo
New member
GE FilterFlo 1956, Controls......
Jimmy
Wow!
That is the exact washer that my grandmother had that started it all for me.
Thanks for posting the pics.
-GadgetSwitch
Wow!
That is the exact washer that my grandmother had that started it all for me.
Thanks for posting the pics.
-GadgetSwitch
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