Newbie to This Forum and Speed Queen Washers and Dryers

[pumpkina]

Hi,

I just found and joined this forum today.

This past week, I just ordered my first Speed Queen washer (TL with mechanical controls), model AWN432SP113TW04. The washer is due this coming Friday, the gas dryer partner about a week after that.

SQ e-mailed me the owner's manual for both. It suggests HE detergent for the washer.

Any brands you recommend that I use and avoid?

Is borax okay to add?

Vinegar?

Thanks!

 

[maytag85]

I would use any detergent in a Speed Queen washer, it suggests to use HE Detergent, but that is if you use the "Normal Eco" cycle (I would avoid using that cycle). They recommend using HE Detergent, because is is not as harsh on the tub seal, or gaskets in the tub.

 

[frigilux]

I recently purchased a Speed Queen top-loader (Series 9) upon moving to an apartment.

The manual suggests using HE detergent because of the Normal Eco cycle, which provides a spray rinse (while spinning) instead of a traditional deep rinse. If you don't plan to use that cycle, go ahead and use whatever detergent you want to.

Tide Ultra Stain Release and Persil Proclean 2 in 1 are the two highest-rated detergents by Consumer Reports. I've used them for quite awhile (in Frigidaire and Maytag front-loaders) with great success. I've noticed that the Tide product, which is not recommended for use in traditional washers, does not remove stains as well as it did in the front-loaders, despite a significant increase in dosage. The Persil Proclean 2 in 1 does very well in the SQ. Plan to finish my jug of Tide on lightly-soiled loads. Will probably use only Persil after that.

I use the Normal Eco cycle frequently to save on the total gallons of water used per cycle. However, I generally let the washer fill with truly warm or hot water on the Heavy Duty cycle, then switch to Normal Eco after agitation begins. The Normal cycle gives you what amounts to a cold fill no matter what temperature is selected.

Can't weigh in on the borax and vinegar questions, as I never use them. Others here do, so I'll let them provide any insight into that.

Welcome to AW and I hope your SQ set gives you years of trouble-free operation.

 

[stan]

Hi, and welcome

Guess You got to tell us why your using the Borax and Vinigar?
Maybe you have hard water? Or problems rinsing?
From what I understand, the machine your getting is a excellent one.
You may find that you don't need them with your Speed Queen

 

[pumpkina]

Thanks

Thanks.

What is a series 9 Speed Queen top-loader?

Please clarify the advantage(s) starting off with Heavy Duty, then switching to Normal Eco as soon as agitation begins.

My water is soft water and supposedly is from a mountain source that requires no processing by the water department.

I use vinegar and borax to clean laundry better. I also pre-treat with Spray-N-Wash or other similar cleaners.

Thanks!

 

[DADoES]

 
Series 9 refers to the model number, the top-of-line AWNE92.

The Normal Eco cycle is restricted on water temperature.  It fills with warm or hot water only briefly at the start of the wash fill then switches to cold for the remainder of the fill to the selected level.  Starting a load on the Heavy Duty cycle (which is not temperature-restricted) and then switching to Normal Eco when fill is finished allows a full fill of warm or hot water and garners the water-saving shower rinse function of Normal Eco.

 

[pumpkina]

Tide Ultra Stain Release and Persil Proclean 2 in 1

I checked on-line at my usual stores and can't find them. On Amazon:

Tide Ultra Stain Release HE costs twice as much as regular Tide HE.

Persil costs about the same as Tide Ultra Stain Release HE per load.

Any ideas where I can get them at a more reasonable price?

Thanks!

 

[frigilux]

Well, I know this is old-school, but I go to Target or Walmart and steal them. Prices don't get better 'n dat, fam. 

 

 

[pumpkina]

LOL

I can't find them to steal, LOL

 

[lordkenmore]

Plan to finish my jug of Tide on lightly-soiled loads. Will probably use only Persil after that.

 

No, no, no, no, no, NO!!!!!


 

Didn't you read the rules over the AW.org clubhouse door that say you must regularly use different detergents?

 

LOL

 

[frigilux]

Loopholes: I use Rosalie's Zero Suds for loads of bath linens and Perwoll Black Effect for blacks. Oh, and Mexican Ariel when pining for the scent of crushed-up Sweet Tarts.

 

[agiflow2]

I have a Speed Queen washer purchased new in March of 2013 and it has been a good washer,....but I find the rinsing not so great. I am currently using Tide original powder and using the correct dosages for my loads, I still find the first rinse cloudy and somewhat sudsy. I have been using two rinses with only minor improvements.
My water is fairly hard so maybe that is contributing, but when I had my DD Kenmore it was definitely better at rinsing.

I'm not having any skin irritations or anything of that sort but I definitely see a difference with this washers rinse water.

I quit using fabric softener in this washer as the top of the agitator under the dispenser was getting that nasty brown crud starting to form. I keep this machine clean.

Other than that this is the first classic belt driven washer I have had since the 80s. Love the sounds and the wash action of that surgilatoresque agitator and the fact I have not once heard this machine ever go off balance so severely as to make the washer bang or walk across the floor. Never saw this machines cabinet visibly shake .

As close to a classic WP/KM belt drive as I am going to get.

 

[pumpkina]

agiflow2, which model of Speed Queen do you have?

Do you use HE or regular Tide?

 

[agiflow2]

Sorry pumpkina, have been pretty busy with things lately. I am currently using Tide original powder detergent and even using the correct dosage...which is pretty vague. I get suds in the rinse. The washer only has one 15 second spray rinse in the post wash spin. I am sure that contributes to the rather poor rinsing and the drum hole pattern of the basket.
I will probably go back to using Sears detergent. It seemed to rinse better if I recall. All in all I am very satisfied with the speed queen and wouldn't trade it for any of the dreck that passes for top load washers these days.

 

[rp2813]

I agree about the poor rinsing.  Alliance didn't do anything to fix that.  I had a Raytheon Amana (SQ clone) and it was horrible at rinsing.  Towels were the worst.  I could set that thing to fill and rinse a couple of extra times -- after a cycle with extra rinse selected -- and still had water clouded with detergent residue draining into the adjacent laundry sink.

 

Poor rinsing is the main reason I'd never consider a Speed Queen top loader.  I imagine with pristine Hetch Hetchy water, it's even worse.

 

I also agree about the balancing.  The Amana never once budged during spin.  It handled everything with hardly a quiver.

 

[agiflow2]

The model I have is the AWN 432. I think if I had the choice now between a speed queen or a DD km/wp I would go for the DD Kenmore as I had a 90 series washer that was about as flexible as a modern washer could be. At least that model had "Ultra Rinse" that spray rinsed for 15 seconds in all spins.