Speed Queen top-loader towels smell bad

[speedqueen]

This low detergent fad has to end..

The amount of people online, not usually here, that suggest using a tiny amount of detergent(**cough renduh on tiktok) is causing lots of problems.

The manufacturers suggestions are typically good guidelines, despite people insisting that they're only to sell detergent. A lot of factors play into detergent usage requirements, dilution ratio is certainly one, you'll need more detergent for the same load in a standard top load vs a front load as I've observed comparing my AWN432 SQ to a 1960s Westinghouse front load. Another important factor is soil load or how dirty the clothes are, both particulate dirt like dust, mud and oily dirt such as, body oil, petroleum, and kitchen grease. If the washer starts and within a minute all the suds collapse,you need more detergent, all of the surfactants have bonded to the dirt and no more cleaning can or will occur. Even low sudsing detergents will have a little suds to use as a guide. If one is still unsure, feel the water, it should feel slippery not just like plain water.

Water hardness is another issue, where I'm staying with friends in West Virginia they have even softer water than I had in Detroit, as such we use about 1/2 to 2/3 the amount of detergent for similar loads. This has an effect on FL vs TL too, as there are more minerals to bond to if there is more water.

 

[combo52]

Post number 30, hi, Richard

I’ve heard the same crap for 30 years. The repairman told me only to use a tiny bit of detergent, but that’s what ruins, the machines etc. etc..

It’s too bad that so few people have had chemistry physics etc. anymore in this country there is just no common sense, it’s always better to air on the side of using too much detergent rather than too little too little will not get the job done and will damage the machine too much is not gonna hurt anything even a few suds in the cycle or in the sink when the washer is done is not a bad sign detergent does not hurt the machine or people, detergent manufactures, would not get away with using things that people are generally allergic to. It’s mostly in their head if they think they are.

Of all the machines washing machines and dishwashers have used I have never had any buildup in any of them. I have never cleaned any of them. It’s ridiculous to think that a machine that’s cleaning your dishes is going to need cleaning itself, this was one of the promises made when automatic washers and dishwashers came out that they not only cleaned the items that went in them, but they kept themselves spotlessly, clean if used properly and they still to do this.

John

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Low detergent fad

I agree with Richard. Besides, how will anything get cleaned that is smelly or just plain stained and dirty? Somebody tell me.

 

[blockeight88]

Bad smells...

When I had my SQ TC5, I never experienced this. Then again, I only wash towels in hot (140F) water and usually use tide powered detergent. Rinsing in vinegar seems to be a good idea and really makes everything smell great. Good luck.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I agree with speedqueen

I completely agree with speedqueen. This low detergent fad is so stupid! You can't clean anything with only an ounce!

 

[maytag85]

“The amount of people online, not usually here, that suggest using a tiny amount of detergent(**cough renduh on TikTok) is causing lots of problems.

Yeah, this is why I don’t even bother with TikTok, sometimes people will give out the most dubious advice along with spreading lots of misinformation. Instagram reels and YouTube shorts is like that, has been like that for some time now.

The same people who don’t use enough detergent are the same exact people who fall for 10,000 mile oil changes, I guarantee it. Then, they start whining and kvetching that their engine is burning lots of oil along with transmission slipping, brakes spongy from not changing the fluids etc etc.

Of course, people will claim it’s a waste of money to do certain things regardless of mileage, time etc, but it all boils down to preventative maintenance and measures. Better to change the oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles than to let it go which will cause major problems down the road. Not taking this off the tracks, just using it as an example.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

maytag85

I completely agree with you. The amount of youtubers who do this are really just making things worse. For example, I use softener, but not overuse of it. I make sure to use warm or hot water especially during the winter unless the cold water is warm enough like in the summer. I've used it for years and had no mechanical issues from it. Besides, there are other factors like not cleaning the machine at all or not enough hot water. Using fabric softener is no different than using rinse aid in a dishwasher. No harm done when used properly. The lengths some people use is misleading. And I agree with jaykay18 about softener use. Never did me harm when used properly. It also needs to be distributed evenly too. If I were to program a washer, I'd program it to where the fabric softener option was turned on during the normal and heavy duty cycles by default. Period. I'm sick and tired of spray rinses. They don't do the job properly. Just my observations.