Maytag Performa Washer (or Dryer) cutting clothes....

[dustin92]

We have been having a random issue with our Maytag performa set, which is that one of the machines is cutting clothes, a couple things have gotten slices in them, the first item beong a zip up hoodie of mine, which I wore to work a lot in the winter, and when I noticed the cut, right around the bottom, I thought I had hit it with a box cutter. About a 3 inch gash all the way through one layer, and partially through the second layer. Other items are just getting small, jagged holes in them, almost like moth holes, but in clothes that are worn regularly. (a few T shirts, Sweat pants, a very nice set of cotton sheets, and some random socks). One of my good polo shirts got a cut in it almost identical to the hoodie, right across the buttons. I'm not sure where the cuts are happening, whether in the washer or dryer, but both machines seem to be working properly, and don't have any noticeable sharp edges. The only area I even questin is between the top and bottom of the 2 piece agitator, it seems to have some up/down movement, and I am wondering if the clothes are being pushed into there, and getting cut. If we can't figure out the problem, I think I will give the downstairs set (Speed Queen pair from 1989) a tune up, (the washer needs a new belt and possibly a timer, and the dryer needs rollers), and switch them out with the Maytags upstairs. I don't really want to swap them, because the Maytags have better capacity and are quieter, but I don't want to destroy all of our clothes and bedding either!

 

[super32]

I would be suspect of the dryer drum? Based on what you said about the agitator being ok and nothing else that you can see wrong. Sometimes the dryers tumbler bearings will go bad then allow the drum to not ride as it should.

Also you did mention the zipper in your hoodie. Make sure the zippers are zipped when washing. Zippers can be bad for chewing other clothes up when washing?

 

[whirlcool]

The last Frigidaire dryer I worked on had this problem. The nylon glide around the door opening came out and this allowed clothing to get caught between the drum and the door opening. The main complaint was the dryer was ripping buttons off of shirts and maybe a tear or two in clothes.

Total cost of repair was about $87.00. And that included new bearings as well as new nylon and felt guides.

 

[dustin92]

Wouldn't bad bearings in the dryer cause it to be noisy? It runs quiet and smooth. I can admit to leaving zippers open, but the cuts in the clothes aren't rough, it looks like they have been cut with a razor blade.

 

[mrb627]

Agitator

I had a Maytag Atlantis set and discovered that the load sensor agitator had a pinch point designed into the fins. As the fin tapers the skirt of the agitator, it comes to almost touch the skirt. Creating a pinch point to snag clothes and pull holes in them. This was witnessed during watching of the spin-drain. As the water pulled away to reveal the base of the agitator, a bath towel was hooked under one of the fins. Once the spin got up to speed, the towel pulled free. After a while, I started noticing small holes in some of my clothing and realized the cause.

Gave the set away within a few months.

Malcolm

 

[dustin92]

Ours doesn't have the load sensor agitator, just a regular 2 piece/ corkscrew agitator. I'm wondering if clothes are getting pulled in between where the 2 pieces meet.

 

[coldspot66]

Make sure it is not agitating and spinning at the same time during drain/spin. Although I think you put a new tranny in it recently?

 

[dustin92]

It is not agitating and spinning at the same time, and you must be thinking of someone else, If I tried to put a new transmission in it, I would be posting a thread titled "New washer suggestions, destroyed ours" :/ . It sounds completely normal, and it isn't damaging clothes in every load.

 

[esty]

Malcolm, do you think the awn 542 speed queen washer's agitator can have the same problem as you mentioned above? I took a new t shirt out of my speed queen washer and dryer today and noticed a whole.I thought maybe it can also be the silver vent plate in the dryer. It has a build up from fabric softener sheets. I had this problems with a previous speed queen washer as well. Tired of clothes getting ruined. I try to remember to zip up all zippers. Someone I know also had a problem with holes in her speed queen washer and they replaced it with a single vain agitator. I really don't want any more unqualified repair people playing with my washing machine any more.
Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[mrb627]

Agitator Pinch Point

I don't think the Speed Queen agitator suffers from the same pinch point design flaw of the Maytag Atlantis. Meanwhile, that is a pretty good sized hole in your shirt. And reasonably frayed to boot. I wouldn't suspect anything in the washer to cause that hole other than the lower portion of the agitator. There just isn't that much force associated with contact to the tub to cause that amount of specific damage.

In looking further at the dryer, are there any signs of thread catching around the two sheet metal screws that hold the heat screen in place? How level is your dryer, front to back?

Malcolm

 

[esty]

Malcolm, thanks for responding. The dryer is level side to side. Front to back, its a little off. Why would that cause holes? The silver plate had a lot of sharp edges sticking out. From what speed queen told me it is a polyester and fabric softener sheet build up. Never had that on my 20 years of my old Kenmore dryer. The screws are smooth. I actually cleaned the plate off a little. We replaced it last night, because speed queen had sent me a new one when I called them recently about it. Didn't think that really could have been the cause because the pieces brake off easily, but anything is possible. The only reason I didn't think it could be the dryer, is because I had a lycra denim skirt come out with about five small holes in succession on my previous speed queen washer before going into the dryer. The washer I have now is actually a replacement that I got in January. My other one had nothing but trouble from the beginning until it started tearing our clothes as in the picture. That is a fairly new undershirt that I realized was torn up when I pulled it out of the dryer with the old washer. Now I can't believe its happening on this one. Also my little son's underwear the edge by the leg opening was frayed, that I had to sew back up. They are not old. That happened with the new washer.
Thanks again.

 

[esty]

Wrong picture, sorry

 

[yogitunes]

what is a single vane agitator?....

 

[combo52]

Small Hole-Tear In A New Shirt

It is very UNLIKELY that that hole was caused by either the washer or dryer, if there was something wrong with the W or D you would have many similar holes in many many clothing items.

 

Yes agitator washers with long stroke agitation [ and to some extent any agitator or impeller top load machine ] can be hard on clothing. You can minimize this by loading lightly using shorter wash times and slower agitation speeds and avoiding additional wear and tear caused by 2nd rinsing etc. Much more clothing [ and washer ] damage can occur when using the 2nd rinse option as you no longer have sufficient detergent in the water to protect the machine and clothing from mineral damage.

 

[esty]

What I meant by a single vane agitator is that there was no gap on the fins at the bottom of the agitator. Meaning the whole agitator is one piece connected with no room for things to get caught between the fins and the rest of the agitator. I think that is the way speed queen used to make their agitators. I can't imagine though that even if something gets caught there that a piece of plastic can make that hole or rip things.

 

[esty]

That is also why I kept questioning using vinegar in the washing machine. I keep hearing that it is safe, however I am wondering if vinegar is harsh on the clothing and machine parts.

 

[yogitunes]

Speed Queen does offer a solid vane agitator....I prefer that to the flex vane...

Speed Queen washers and dryers for sale

from my last thread 30284...and taking Laundress' expert advise, hugs, I bought 4 sets of these machines, for $200.00....and what great machines they are...dryers only in electric....but with a little clean-up and polish, they look brand new, and work great...I added the fabric softner...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[esty]

Yogitunes, do you think that the flex vane agitator is capable of tearing holes in clothes? I am not handy with washing machines, nor is my husband. I wouldn't know how to swich the agitator properly.

 

[yogitunes]

tearing clothes....not a common issue....not really with any agitator, unless there is a rough part or small hangnail sticking out...

but as mentioned, it would show signs to a whole load, not just one article...

have seen ones for some odd reason have a sock or similar item get stuck underneath, but never encountered that myself...

in the right circumstances, a button from a sleeve could always find its way to get stuck in between the vanes, but again, not all that common.....

but I can't comment to be exact, as I have never had these types of issues...