POD 11/14/20: 1958 Frigidaire Washer

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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frigilux

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Mar 3, 2007
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I really love today's POD--mostly because the '58 has always sported my favorite Unimatic-era console--but also for its beautiful (but Photoshopped) lavender color. Neighbors two house down the block had a TOL '58 when I was growing up, so am somewhat familiar with the machine. In fact, it was their '58 that sparked my intense case of Frigidaire envy. My parents were Sears people.

I do, however, have a question about the suds-saver, which the ad says is in every model in the line. Is it the older Frigidaire suds-saver in which a plug was placed over the end of the drain hose before the end of the wash agitation/pulsation, sending the water somewhere inside the washer itself?

You'd let the clothes spin, then transfer them to a laundry basket, hang the hose over the tub, unplug it, and set the washer to agitate, allowing the water to be pumped back into the machine. Then you'd add the 2nd load. When that cycle was completed, you'd put load #1 back in the washer for a rinse and spin.

Or did the '58 come with the more common system in which the wash water drained into a large, deep sink and was returned for the 2nd load after the first load was completed?

The mom of one of my best friends in elementary school had a very old Frigidaire automatic that used system #1 which I found very mysterious, having had a standard Kenmore suds-saver at home. She'd sometimes use the wash water for as many as four loads, so there would be a line-up of laundry baskets on the floor with clothes awaiting their turn to be rinsed.

Thanks in advance for any info/insight anyone might be able to provide!
 
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