Suds Saver Question
- Thread starter Toddman
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scott55405
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Just about all the brands offered this feature at one time, some as standard equipment, some as an extra cost option.
It was very popular here in Minnesota; in fact, in some circles it probably more unusual not to have one than to have one. Yet, one of our posters in Iowa and a friend in Illinois report they were not especially popular there at all.
Owners of wringer washers often preferred them because they were used to re-using wash water for several loads. Too, some of the older water heaters were not that good at keeping up with demand, and between multiple loads and the warm rinses of the day, it may have come in handy as a matter of easing hot water use that way as well.
It was very popular here in Minnesota; in fact, in some circles it probably more unusual not to have one than to have one. Yet, one of our posters in Iowa and a friend in Illinois report they were not especially popular there at all.
Owners of wringer washers often preferred them because they were used to re-using wash water for several loads. Too, some of the older water heaters were not that good at keeping up with demand, and between multiple loads and the warm rinses of the day, it may have come in handy as a matter of easing hot water use that way as well.
In 42 years of life in south Texas, I've never run into a suds saver washer around here.
Scott you are so right.
I agree with you, also folks that were out of the reach of municipal water supply systems, with drilled wells and pump systems were always very sparing of water too. Just as you said these were probably some of the last hold outs to go automatic. Many here probably remember grandmothers that held on to a trusty wringer type washer. For rugs and really dirty clothes. Many of these ladies truly had "very gently used automatic washers" I guess they waited along time to get one and they sure took good care of them. I remember when visiting you WENT to SEE the New washer. They were like a trophy then.
I agree with you, also folks that were out of the reach of municipal water supply systems, with drilled wells and pump systems were always very sparing of water too. Just as you said these were probably some of the last hold outs to go automatic. Many here probably remember grandmothers that held on to a trusty wringer type washer. For rugs and really dirty clothes. Many of these ladies truly had "very gently used automatic washers" I guess they waited along time to get one and they sure took good care of them. I remember when visiting you WENT to SEE the New washer. They were like a trophy then.
Saving suds is part of Monday Washday at my home!
Most of my vintage machines have sud savers on them-for some reason I seem to find them. Being one who soaks clothes (especially whites) regularily, I drain the soak water (which is dirty) and start with fresh water for the main wash. I save the suds from the whites and will use the water again for towels or sheets. I grew up with suds savers and for many years thought the idea was awful. When I started soaking my white loads over night before I washed them, the main wash water was very clear, and going right down the drain. Even have a dependable care dryer and washer bought in 2000 with a suds saver on them. Maytag was the last to offer this feature, so I thought I should grab one. That was 4 years ago and they have never been run yet! I am having too much fun with the vintage ones.
Most of my vintage machines have sud savers on them-for some reason I seem to find them. Being one who soaks clothes (especially whites) regularily, I drain the soak water (which is dirty) and start with fresh water for the main wash. I save the suds from the whites and will use the water again for towels or sheets. I grew up with suds savers and for many years thought the idea was awful. When I started soaking my white loads over night before I washed them, the main wash water was very clear, and going right down the drain. Even have a dependable care dryer and washer bought in 2000 with a suds saver on them. Maytag was the last to offer this feature, so I thought I should grab one. That was 4 years ago and they have never been run yet! I am having too much fun with the vintage ones.
Suds-savers seemed to be very popular in the 1960's, at least in Minnesota. Everyone on our block had one; there were 2 Kenmores, 2 Maytags, a Frigidaire and a Whirlpool.
Back then, many people had washers in the basement, where there was room for large laundry tubs next to the washer. Today, I doubt many people would be able to use the feature, even if it was available. Come to think of it, the Frigidaire on my block was installed in the kitchen, but it didn't need a laundry tub for the suds-saver.
Back then, many people had washers in the basement, where there was room for large laundry tubs next to the washer. Today, I doubt many people would be able to use the feature, even if it was available. Come to think of it, the Frigidaire on my block was installed in the kitchen, but it didn't need a laundry tub for the suds-saver.
My Grandmother Loudenback's first automatic
was a Kenmore with SudsSaver, from '55 or '56. It was a BOL machine, but it did have that really neat waterfall filter, and better yet, no spin lid switch.
She had it in the kitchen, and jury rigged a suds tub with a 20 gallon galvanized trash can on a wooden stool. Reserved, of course, for this purpose.
Last load of her wash day, she angled the longer drain hose into the bowl of her kitchen sink.
Our first automatic, the Whirlpool Imperial, was also a SudsSaver, but was in the basement, and we had the cement tubs (I miss them--they were great for washing things that were too awkward for the kitchen sink or the bath tub). The Maytag A208 was still available with SudsSaver, but Ma decided against it in 1978.
Since then, it's been kitchen hookups--a mixed blessing.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
was a Kenmore with SudsSaver, from '55 or '56. It was a BOL machine, but it did have that really neat waterfall filter, and better yet, no spin lid switch.
She had it in the kitchen, and jury rigged a suds tub with a 20 gallon galvanized trash can on a wooden stool. Reserved, of course, for this purpose.
Last load of her wash day, she angled the longer drain hose into the bowl of her kitchen sink.
Our first automatic, the Whirlpool Imperial, was also a SudsSaver, but was in the basement, and we had the cement tubs (I miss them--they were great for washing things that were too awkward for the kitchen sink or the bath tub). The Maytag A208 was still available with SudsSaver, but Ma decided against it in 1978.
Since then, it's been kitchen hookups--a mixed blessing.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
My mom always had Maytag's with suds savers.Used to wash a load of whites,save the suds,and then use it for a load of jeans,etc.
I still see them from time to time,I take them off for my retail sales if I can. Most people these days have no idea what they are,or how they're used.
kennyGF
I still see them from time to time,I take them off for my retail sales if I can. Most people these days have no idea what they are,or how they're used.
kennyGF
bpetersxx
Well-known member
How does a solid tub sudsaver return the water
GE I would think would filterflo it back in since the solid tub would have to be filled to wash the next tub of clothes
Maytags have a characteristic clunk when they get done pumping the water back in and the water switch resets.
GE I would think would filterflo it back in since the solid tub would have to be filled to wash the next tub of clothes
Maytags have a characteristic clunk when they get done pumping the water back in and the water switch resets.
I think the water returns from an inlet at the bottom of the tub, under the agitator, on a solid-tub machine.
On the Frigidaire I was referencing, I think the water was returned through the drain hose. Frigidaire had two different suds-saver systems. With one type, I believe the machine drained the wash water to a laundry tub, like the Kenmores and Maytags.
With the other type, the drain hose would be plugged and the wash water was somehow saved within the cabinet of the machine. You'd let it go through the first spin, then remove the clothes to a laundry basket. Then you'd wash the 2nd load, with the water returning to the machine through the drain hose. You'd let the 2nd load run a complete cycle,then you'd return load #1 to the machine and set the dial for the final rinse. Then again, I may be hallucinating all this. Perhaps Uni or Gansky or some other informed mind will see this and give us a proper explanation.
On the Frigidaire I was referencing, I think the water was returned through the drain hose. Frigidaire had two different suds-saver systems. With one type, I believe the machine drained the wash water to a laundry tub, like the Kenmores and Maytags.
With the other type, the drain hose would be plugged and the wash water was somehow saved within the cabinet of the machine. You'd let it go through the first spin, then remove the clothes to a laundry basket. Then you'd wash the 2nd load, with the water returning to the machine through the drain hose. You'd let the 2nd load run a complete cycle,then you'd return load #1 to the machine and set the dial for the final rinse. Then again, I may be hallucinating all this. Perhaps Uni or Gansky or some other informed mind will see this and give us a proper explanation.
arrrooohhh
Well-known member
Most older washers in Australia has suds save features. In fact you can still get suds savers on new Simpsons, (and until recently, Hoovers). I dont think that many people use these features however there must be some.
I think the original idea for many people with suds savers in that Australia laundries were traditionally lean to's on the rear of the house, and people would use a copper to heat the water and then use the suds saver to draw this hot water in the machine and then proceed with the rest of the cycle automatically.
I think the original idea for many people with suds savers in that Australia laundries were traditionally lean to's on the rear of the house, and people would use a copper to heat the water and then use the suds saver to draw this hot water in the machine and then proceed with the rest of the cycle automatically.
Whirlpool only discontuned the SS when they moved to the current series last year.
