From a laundromat owner
1) Maytag did not make the coindrops -- no commercial manufacturer makes coin drops... Maytag used Greenwald drops... Yes, they are fussy and tempermental...
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2) Most machines are installed with the default cycle... Most owners might tweek it to save time, water and energy... Very few will tweek it for a better wash (more wash time, extra rinse, higher water levels, tap hot water, etc)...
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3) If the 'super cycle' option is activated, it will do one of three things:
-- increase wash time by 3 minutes
-- add a rinse
-- both increase wash time and add rinse
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4) The real reason for that short prewash on the Neptune was to dilute the overdosing detergent that laundromat users LOVE to do... So the overdose of detergent gets into the machine and clothes, and is pumped out before it has a chance to make too much suds... Then the machine refills, the detergent is then diluted enough to get through the cycle without causing sudslock... Some owners removed this predilute prewash because it would save water and just dealt with a poor spin out if/when it happened because of suds... Many would hear the motor straining to spin and would add Downy or a cheap softener to the machine to kill the suds...
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5a) Orbital MT tops are workhorses... I love my 6 of them... They replaced FF GE machines...
5b) Mine are set for a 10 minute wash and a 3 minute rinse... My customers love them... All cycles are $2.00 and 'super' is activated for .50 extra (both increase wash time and 2nd rinse)...
5c) They do like to go through belts...
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6) Skip the bleach and add 1/2 cup of ammonia instead, especially to boost detergent and remove oily stains...