I got " agitated " yesterday but good

[robbinsandmyers]

While doing the weeks laundry yesterday in the A407 I noticed the softener cup in the agitator was getting its usual buildup of slime that didnt spin out fully so I popped it out to clean it, as well as the lint screen I take a soft brass wire brush to clean. I saw some black mold down inside that was covered by the cup and went to work. When I flipped the screen upside down it was really coated on the bottom of the inside top with black mildew as well. Gave it all a real good cleaning. Not sure what made me grab a flash light and peep down the center of the agitator but where the softener drains out through through the spokes and out the side was almost blocked solid with thick, black, caked up scunge from the last 38 years! Luckily I had just done a hot load of whites and was able to force the agitator off, havent been able to for months as I assumed the shaft got too rusty since last time I cleaned it a few years ago. After spending a good 30 mins blasting about 20lbs of nasty off it in the shower with my hand held adjustable nozzle and cleaners it was finally cleaned. Next I worked on the very rusty splines of the trans, sanded as best I could, then applied a light coat of dielectric compound to the splines above the ring seal after I filled the tub with some warm water and wire brushed all exposed metal parts, and also a fine scotch bright to clean the scuzz the agitator covered on the tub bottom, then reinstalled the agitator. I noticed the shaft has some play in the top bushing on the trans. I cant swap that 806 trans into this thing fast enough. I still cant figure out how the mildew gets there. Each time the machine gets used I leave the lid open to let air get in and dry things out.

 

[combo52]

Mildew In Washers

Is usually caused by using Too Little detergent for soil and water conditions that leaves mineral deposits behind and or cheap detergents.

 

When you use fabric softener [ as I almost always use ] you mush wash clothing in pretty hot water with lots of good detergent or you get a build-up in clothing and the machine etc.

 

Hot water and bleach used on light colored loads is also a great help in preventing mildew.

 

You should never have any build-up or odor in any Washer or Dishwasher that is being used properly.

 

John l.

 

[tomturbomatic]

A-EFFING MEN!

 

[maytag85]

I always use hot or warm water and really only use cold for darks or colors that bleed easily. Cold water users think they are saving money but in reality aren’t saving much since you’ll have mildew issues in your machine along with itchy clothing since detergent wasn’t rinsed out all the way and will spend money on cleaners for your machine. Use hot or warm water along with good detergent and you won’t have any issues with mildew or scum building up in your washer.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

As far as detergents I've been using Persil Pro-Clean for years plus I always wash the whites in warm or hot water. I do 2 loads every 3 days. One white, one colors. I've owned the machine about 6 years.

 

[qsd-dan]

The residue left over from most fabric softeners is a food source for mold and bacteria to grow in the dark moist environment of a clothes washer. This is why I rarely use the fabric softener cup. In the rare event that I'm not around to manually dispense softener, I immeadilty wash the filter assembly and dispenser cup. Using an all natural fabric softener seems to help and nothing has survived my regular full tub 160F hot washes with a 3+ hour soak using oxygen bleach.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

When I'm done with laundry for the day, the filter & softener cup gets wiped down and placed on top of the washer to dry.

 

[eurekastar]

I must admit that I'm always confused about HE detergent dosing in an old school top loader.  Does one use the same dose as an HE machine?  Since new HE detergents don't suds, I always wonder if I'm using the right amount. 

 

[ea56]

Try using a Downey Ball instead of the fabric softener cup. I seldom use liquid fabric softener, but I prefer the Downey Ball over those top of the agitator FS dispensers. And you don’t have to watch the clock to add the FS manually. Just fill the Downey Ball as per the instructions and drop it on top of the dry laundry before you start the machine. Easy Peasy! The Downey Ball dispenses the FS during the spin after the wash and then disburses in the rinse water.

Eddie

 

[robbinsandmyers]

The Downey Ball!

Its funny you mention that because I still have my ancient ball from when Downey first came out with them and used it still when I first got this machine but stopped as the tub wouldnt spin fast enough to release it. So I went to using the softener cup. Took me a long time before I realized the problem was suds lock, still suffers from it due to the stand pipe being too high. I need to set the machine on a base at least a foot higher than it is now. It sucks but each time the machine goes into its first spin cycle I have to go downstairs and if it starts suds locking I let it fill a bit with rinse water then momentarily push the knob on the timer in and out to shut it for a second so the air gets purged in the pump and it starts draining again. Then once its up to speed I pour the softener in the cup and go back upstairs. its a PITA until a raise it. Does it 50% of the time. I have a base a friend built from wood and will put the machine on it after I do the major overhaul coming.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

qsd-dan

Sounds like Im gonna do a hot wash of water and bleach this weekend. How much bleach should I add for a full tub? Im leary of doing a prolonged soak with the play in that top bearing and getting water down into the trans if it sits in it that long. I know the seal is beat as it sometimes stains whites.

 

[DADoES]

 
HE-formulated detergent reasonably should be dosed higher in a non-HE toploader to handle mineral content in the larger volume of water and to compensate for the increased dilution of cleaning agents.  Some "laundry experts" advise 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons of (liquid) HE detergent in HE machines (both top- and frontloader) and 1 to 2 tablespoons in non-HE toploaders.  I rarely wash less than a medium-size load.  More typically full loads (22 shirts or a month+ of whites), there's no way 2 teaspoons would work.  I dose depending on the load size in my HE toploaders 1 to 2.5 oz. of Persil liquid or 4 to 8 tablespoons of Cheer powder, plus STPP.  Two tablespoons is 1 liquid oz.