Fabric Softener Dispenser Designs

[eurekastar]

As I've viewed Youtube videos and read through this forum, I've noticed that most washers with a post agitator have the same basic fabric softener design. I read on the forum that Norge pioneered the design in current use sometime in the 1950s.

I use liquid fabric softener in almost every load of laundry. However, my new Maytag Commercial Washer has, what I believe, is a flaw in its dispenser design. First, the reservoir is small and shallow. Because of the way the washer agitates, it sloshes some of the softener out, causing it to spill into the wash water.

When it dispenses after the first spin, it flows through a single hole and onto the agitator cap. Presumably from there, it is spun into the rinse water. Most of it is spun out; however, some of it just puddles up on the cap. After several washes, it is just a dried gooey gel.

So I purchased another dispenser design that sits on the agitator cap. To keep the agitator cam water tight, I just cut the old dispenser off the cap. I love this new dispenser too. It has a larger reservoir, which means that it can take more water for dilution, thus ensuring it is fully distributed. And it doesn't slosh out during agitation when filled to capacity.

 

[sel8207]

same replacement dispenser

I have the same replacement dispenser on my direct drive and it does seem to have a lot more space for the vinegar and water that I use in the dispenser (volume wise). And you are correct, it doesn't slosh out. Works very well.

 

[fan-of-fans]

That looks like the dispenser from our old 99 Kenmore DD. I liked the aqua ring, it brought some color to the wash tub! I never knew you could remove it until later years. Underneath was a nice cap that said "Dual Action".

Our new GE washer has a dispenser that looks a lot like your original one. If I remove it there's no cap, just a hollow space all the way down.