Thursday night Maytag Porta-washing!

[geoffdelp]

Hi all ... thought you would enjoy some shots of my circa late 1970's Maytag Porta-Washer. These are fun washers to use and I loved the brand new one that I bought in 1979/1980 when I had my very first apartment. I would wash and wash in that machine. I used it steadily until the late 1980's when I finally wore it out and traded it in on a set of regular-sized automatics.

I had always wanted a new Maytag wringer but since I lived in an apartment, this was a close second!!

Please forgive the scuffed up floor, scuffed-up double tubs, and the badly needed repainting of the walls! Very shortly, I will be removing the double tubs, repainting the walls (white ... in case you're interested), and buffing the floor to get ready for my 101P which I hope to have done before the cold weather sets in here in Central MN. I've had a very busy summer and these type of house repairs seem to take a "back seat" to the yard, garden and all the other little things there are to do. Summer goes by so very fast for me ...

Enjoy the photos!!

Geoff

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=08@Looks%20Ready%20to%[email protected]&dir=/COLLECTIONS/GEOFFDELP/

 

[toggleswitch]

COOL!

Thanks

 

[spiraclean]

Hi Geoff,
Wow what a cool Porta-Washer; the dual Impellers are very interesting and they reverse direction to avoid tangling, if only the Hoover Twinnies had done that.
Thanks for sharing. I love your wonderful Maytag Wringers they are just beautiful.

Happy Washing

All the best.
Hugh

 

[swestoyz]

Wow!

I've always wondered how these things work, now I know! And coppertone to boot! As I always say Geoff, too cool! BTW, you have an amazing collection of wringers!

Ben

 

[petek]

Great pics, I'd forgotten how labor intensive those little washers were but I still think they should bring them back for all the folks living in apartments etc. The one and only Danby that I see still made is way too expensive.

 

[launderess]

What kewl pics! Thanks for posting.

Yes, TT washing is very labour intensive, but fun! Basically it is wringer washing with a spinner. Lots of splashing (thank goodness for those "wee-wee" pads), and with the Hoover at least lots of noise,rattling and vibrations. Mainly only on spinning though, during the wash the unit is almost dead silent.

By the way, does anyone know if spin mats for twin tubs are interchangeable? Mine is slowly coming apart, and though Gizmo is sending another, want to keep my eye out for either Maytag or Hoover mats should they pop up.

Launderess

 

[foraloysius]

Cool pictures! Isn't it fun to find a machine back that you had in the past?! I have never seen one of those litte twintubs with two pulsators at work, would love to do a wash with one sometime.

I must say your Maytag N2LPS looks great. I like it especially because it's round unlike most Maytag wringers.

 

[launderess]

Tangling in Hoovers

Find if one is careful about load sizes tangling in a Hoover TT isn't *that* bad. Have always loaded my washer the way the Maytag instructions state: start the washer and add only enough laundry that can be moved by the impellers. One has to remember the Hoover unit at least was designed for rapid washing in one tub, then rinsing/spinning in the other. In theory once one got a rythym going wash day should wizz past.

Another thing I find that helps keep tangling down with a Hoover is to do wash cycles in short bursts, then a brief soaking period, then repeat. Again this is allot of palaver for wash day, but why bother using a twin tub if one does not want drama?

One thing about the Maytag twinnies, wonder why they only spun at 2100 versus Hoover's 3100 or so. And why weren't they designed for spin rinsing verus moving laundry back and forth between tubs? Hoover units seem a tab more water efficient in that one could in theory cut water use by only doing spin rinses instead of deep rinses in the tub. Know some say the spin rinse on later models wasn't that great, but find the older models, where one filled the extractor with water and let her rip pretty good at removing suds/soap.

Launderess

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Scuffed up, Shmuffed up

Geoff,
My peepers ain't all that good, but it don't look like there's
much scuffed upidness to me! I thought things look quite tidy and sensible. Thank you for the lovely presentation.Looking forward to seeing your "new" automatic.

 

[scott55405]

Very cool, don't think I've seen one in Coppertone! But, how are you going to rinse when wringer washing, if you remove the tubs?!

 

[geoffdelp]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!! I have enjoyed my wringer washers and my Porta-Washer. They are fun ... I think it's because you get your hands into it. I love the fragrant soap suds, warm water, the whirrs and hums of the machines. Everything is so clean when you're done (including your hands AND your floor). It's usually a "quiet time" for me on Saturdays; I'm not disturbed when I do laundry. I do it early in the morning and just take my sweet time.

This machine can tangle and I do try to follow the instructions. It works best when you have one large item (like a sheet) along with medium and smaller items. The load of towels last night was: one bath sheet; two bath towels; one hand towels; one wash cloth; and a pair of underwear. It was a perfect size. I noticed that the fuller the spinner is the quieter it is. The tangling was minimal and the minute I started to move the towels to the spinner they untangled.

Launderess ... tell me about spin mats. What are those? Like a big Rubbermaid cushioned mat? I like the sound of that!!

Louis ... the N2L was a very popular model of Maytag wringer washers. It appeared first in 1940 and remained as the "lower cost" model until the wringer's demise in 1983. It was smaller than the Models E and J. It holds 16 gallons of water; the little Porta-Washer holds 11 gallons. So, the N2L is about 1/2 again the size of the Porta-Washer!! I really like using my N2LPS; very nice machine and washes quietly and quickly.

Scott ... have no fear!! I am thinking of a unit just like the link below. I just haven't had time to get everything together. AND I still have my 1998 Maytag LAT automatic that I bought brand new when I bought my house; I have been using it (sometimes) to help with the 2nd rinse. It is a HUGE top loader and does a beautiful deep rinse!!

http://www.mustee.com/utilitub/94.shtml

 

[launderess]

Spin Mats

Are the rubber covers one places over the laundry in the spinner on TTs to keep items down in the tub. Your Maytag's manual simply calls them a "rubber cover".

We're going to have to get you a pinny (apron) for those messy washdays! Bet you would'nt catch Mrs. Cleaver doing her laundry without one! Maybe I'll embroider one for you with something like "Maytag" in maculine, but discreet lettering! *LOL

"Ward, I'm worried about Beaver".

Launderess

 

[geoffdelp]

Oh ... the spin covers!!

I thought you meant a floor mat!! I like the idea of a big squishy Rubbermaid floor mat though.

Yes, the manual tells you to even press down the load so it spins more evenly. The spin cover is supposed to keep the load in balance; I'm not sure how that would do it ~ more like keeping something from flying out.

FYI ... I wear an apron; a chef's white apron. I buy them at Sam's Club in a 3-pack!! I use them when I do laundry, clean the bathroom and when I cook (one for each chore ... heaven forbid combining the bathroom cleaning with the cooking one!!). I like wearing an apron like that. I don't think I'd do too well in a "pinny". I don't have the figure!! ***LOL*** Maybe I should try June Cleaver's heels, however, they might "uplift" my legs and calves and then I'd look better in a pinny, right?

 

[Washaholic]

That brings back many fond memories. I can remember as a kid by mom and aunt had a hoover washer just like that. Thanks for the pictures.

Darin

 

[launderess]

I've got what June Cleaver prolly wore

Vintage Playtex rubber girdle. No self respecting female from age of puberty till death during the 1950's got dressed without one. *LOL*

Launderess

 

[westytoploader]

Geoff, very nice machine! Thanks for posting the pictures...brings back some (recent) memories!

I had the Avocado version of this machine in 2004, but it was definitely used (that back panel was corroded as well). I still loved the machine (it cleaned WONDERFULLY and it amazed me how whisper-quiet the wash motor was) and used it until the pump finally started leaking. That diverter valve gave me more trouble, but that was before I knew how to adjust the cable tension so that it seals properly.

Considering I have enough parts (including the 2 motors), I'm seriously thinking about the Illinois eBay machine.

--Austin

 

[launderess]

That auction is sitting too quiet for too long. Have a serious hunch it is going to get interesting at the last minute.

L.

 

[geoffdelp]

Austin ... that little Maytag in Illinois is very nice. I don't mind the Harvest Gold on that machine; it's kind of friendly looking!!

I just used mine again tonight to wash my inside cleaning rags so I won't have those to do tomorrow. Tomorrow (Saturday), I'm going to wash my sheets and towels in it. Should be fun!!

Good luck if you decide to get the Porta-Washer!!!

Laundress ... girdles were bad ... very bad!!! I wonder how many women screwed up their insides with those things?

I'm glad everyone's enjoying the photos!!

Geoff

 

[gansky1]

Thanks for the pics Geoff! That Porta-Washer is just mint!! I found an avocado washer and matching dryer a month or so ago, they both work but need a good detailing.

What is it with avocado green popping up lately?