Vintage photos of wringer washers

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No complaints whatsoever.

I'll be curious to see whether the agitator speed switch was bypassed in high or low mode, but with the lot that I did this past weekend, I used the same wash water for 4 loads, and then the same rinse water.

The jeans that had well-engrained dirt (that my 'normal' washer hadn't been able to get out, and that I'd been too lazy to take to the washboard) came out clean as could be.
I used my homemade laundry detergent (made from my homemade lye soap + washing soda & borax) ...

BEWARE SUBSTANDARD STITCHING!! The agitator will not be gentle!
The hem down one side of a new bedsheet totally came out!!
I sew, so it's not a biggie. Just something to bear in mind.

All in all, I used about 1/3 of the water I'd normally have used, and given that I didn't have a power ramp up for spin cycles etc, I expect the power savings were considerable too.

Where the wringers were concerned, I must confess disappointment. HOWEVER, there are adjusters, so maybe I just need to increase the pressure.

I'm still hoping that someone can scan me a manual to this or a similar Kenmore model. I'd love to read the tips and suggestions that were originally given.

Rebekah.
 
Rebekah

I have a Maytag Wringer (pic up thread) no complaints with mine either! the amount of water left behind after wringing, is normal, and the price one pays for using these darlings! I line dry a lot so I'm use to putting up with the clothes not being spun dry.

I'm going to Email You, because I have a question about your Lye Soap.
If thats O.K?
 
Welcome to Automatic Washer

Is your wringer in tact and not in the release mode? I only ask because the wrung laundry, though not as light as you're accustomed to from your ramp-up spins, should not be that heavy. What is the brand and year of your Automatic?

 

You can always put towels and heavy stuff thru twice to get more water out.

 

If the Rotoswirl Agitator is pulling hems, I'm sure your stuck in the Normal mode; gentle is very slow and quiet while Normal is very energetic and audible.

 

Your Visimatic is beautiful, and the picture blend of the wringer with the control panel is fabulous.

 
 
To remove more water..

An important part of water removal when using a wringer is how the items are run through. Folded items have much more water removed, and dry with much fewer wrinkles than items simply fed through as they are.
 
Maytag conventional home laundry wringer style.

Take a look at the collection of the three model of 1970's Maytag's in Post# 605664, Reply# 5 6/22/2012 at 19:28 by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN). Notice the slight style difference in the wringer head on the round tub N2LP. I believe at the end of the wringer production in Newton ,IA only this model wringer head is fitted with the smaller diameter rolls.

The earlier machines with the red detailing,like the 1955 "Chieftan" N2LP with the other style wringer head takes the standard size roll. I believe all years from the "grey ghosts to the last 1983 "Master", used the larger diameter rolls.

Remember, always a white bottom & plyable black "non-button breaker" top.

Ciao
 
PRIDE safety tips on conventional use .

For safe easy no fail wringing, use these rules:

1. Never, with your fingers feed flat unfolded wet laundry into the dangerous tight rolling surface of the wringer to be wrung. This method will result in both harm to you, your machine and your laundry. It may stick to the backside roll surface, you will not see it, may double over on the roll surface & jam, or worse yet damage the garment or material, stall, overload motor or worse yet catch your damp fingertips pulling you into the rolling surface!

2. Always lift up and out of the wash tub & fold the edge of the article of material ( about the size of your palm/hand ) As you are folding, make this into a triangle shape before aiming at the wringer rolls. Never have your fingers closer than the size of your palm for safety. please remember to feed the fabric with fabric, do not ever try to guide the fabric onto the roll surface with your damp fingers.

3. Hold, aim & feed this folded & flat rolled "snake head" shape to the roller surface. As the material is lifting from the wash tub, quickly lift & even out the "load" to be wrung through, assisting in this possess will give a no fail wring out, saving time & wear on your wash, and the machine.

This is a never fail system learned from many laundry room matrons here in the mighty Maytag Midwest, as a young laundry room voyeur in the 1960's. Also this will keep your finger tips looking beautiful, nothing like ripping off a nail, just before the holiday weekend, what with the Parade on Sunday and all. What's a boy to do? Get an Automatic! Heck NO.

Gotta Go.....BTW...Happy Pride to you and yours, wish you all were here for the outstanding parade Sunday on our home town "main street" Hennepin Avenue.

Keep it safe & clean! No unsafe laundry mistakes for the emergency room, just because you claim there were no instructions with your equipment!

Ciao
 
My Grandma

had one just like this when I was a little kid. I always wanted to watch her use it. My Aunt also had one. I wish I were closer and had room here for it because I have wanted one of these for years. Thanks for posting this Brad. And, thanks for starting this great thread !!!!!!!!

Jim
 
Photo of appliance dealer - 1950s

Came across this great photo of an appliance dealer, showing 3 brands of wringer washers. The Maytag models E and J are obvious in the background, but can anybody identify the others?
Photograph from a collection by Washington, DC photographer Edward Andrus.

bradross++6-28-2012-15-18-23.jpg
 
Nice picture Brad ...
The one with the mans hand on the wringer seems to be a GE ?
The other I cant make out.
Do you Know...
Hey you might have to open a new thread its getting rather large its so popular.
Darren k
 
Any idea

on my part would be a guess. It does appear that maybe the two unnamed ones may be used since it appears they have marks on the legs. No matter tho. I hope someone knows what the brands are.

Jim
 
HI Brad

The middle washer is an ABC. The way you can tell that is to look at the wringer set(reset) on the left hand side of the wringer. $42.50 for a brand new ABC. I love those machines! They are quiet and wash well.
I can't wait for you to visit so we can use the ABC. Gary
 
Lyle

HI kid, If you look up at replies 40 and 41 you will see me using my 1955 ABC wringer. The ABC in the above picture (reply 209) is older than my ABC. There are 3 things that I notice in the reply 209 photo that tells me it is an ABC. 1. on the left side of the wringer is where you "set" the wringer to use it. 2. On the wringer face at the top where you "push to release" is what ABC used. 3. If you look at the lid of the ABC, the way to open it or close it over the washer is a handle that is set off to the side and sticks up a bit from the lid.
Look at reply 40 once again and you can see that there are things that are both close to each other, ---- lid handle, shape of the wringer top and release bar. I would guess that the picture of the ABC in reply 209 is a bit older than mine is.
Look through the window of the store and you can see an early Maytag automatic.
Now that I look at the wringer washer that is next to the ABC to the right; no, not a GE but maybe it is a Dexter? The reasons why I think this maybe a Dexter are: 1. the way the wringer release bar is attatched to the wringer and 2. the way that the control is to move the wringer to different positions to rinse etc.
I just love these wringer machines.
Lyle, I live 35 miles from where the ABC's were manufactured. I want an ABC O Matic so bad! lol Gary
 
An old Dexter "Speedex" in green porcelain

Found another pic of a vintage machine - this time a Dexter "Speedex". Gotta love that vintage green color! My grandmother had a Thor wringer washer in almost the same green.

bradross++6-29-2012-12-10-29.jpg
 
Brad

Wow, I love this Dexter from the 30's it looks like. I have a double tub Dexter which I haven't used in a long time, it is now time to get wash going in it. From the looks of the adgitator in your picture, Dexter did not change that style. Mine is from around 1950 and it is the same style. Dexter was made, and still is in business for commercial laundries, in Fairfield, Iowa. Hope you are well? Gary
 

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