White Westinghouse Front Load

[tombombadom]

Hey all, just wanted to show off this interesting Westinghouse front load washer. It seems to work just fine! I observed it through a cycle and it went through without problems. Also the Whirlpool dryer seems to be in working order as well.

These units are in a house I am buying that has been dormant for many years. I have been caretaker of this house for a while and finally had a chance to buy it.

 

[yogitunes]

Cool Beans...that has to be one of the most optioned version of that washer....

Multiple cycles and options, plus twin dispensers.....YOWZA....thats a keeper for sure...

does it also have the Weigh-to-Save door?....

I see the Temp buttons, and Water Level, whats the knob in between ?...End of cycle signal or drum light?

tel us more

 

[gelaundry4ever]

WWFL

What are the cycles and options on the white-Westinghouse frontload? Does it reverse tumble or single direction tumble? What does each button/dial/switch do?

 

[ea56]

According to the label on the door in photo #2 it does indeed have the weigh to save door.  These were really excellent washing machines.  If they still built FL’s like this I’d sure as hell buy one, the new ones, not so much.

 

Eddie

 

[yogitunes]

I bought the SpaceMates(stackable) version of this for my partner when we first met in 1988, got them on clearance....3 belt design, one way tumbling

they stayed with the house when he sold it, and for his new place, I went for the Fridgemores with the round door...both washer and dryer offered reverse tumbling and stainless drums...but I really went for the higher final spin speed....

you really didn't need a bunch of cycles for either of these machines....one cycle basically handled it all....

and as for the Water Level selector, you could leave it on Small, it would self adjust for each load on its own....

 

[rinso]

I had a White-Westinghouse FL as a daily driver like this. The one thing it never did in 15 years of use is buzz through rear bearings, seals, and spiders. Unfortunately these were not made with porcelain cabinets or doors, so it quickly turned in to a rust bucket, but it was still running when I sold it.

 

[tombombadom]

Looks like we have 4 sections on the dial. I assume the numbers are how many minutes for the wash?

It has Delicates, Soak, Regular, and Perm Press.

The knob to the left is the water saver knob with an infinate adjustment between Min, Small, Med, Reg, Large and all the way over is Reset.

Next over is the Cycle signal with Off, On, low and high, says also there is an interior light, I didn't see that, maybe its burnt out.

Then last is the water temp buttons.

I'll admit I was tripped out when I figured out the door had a scale to set the water level too. Did these work well? I get the impression this was not a cheap unit when it was new. Its loud, but I really don't care as its downstairs, and as long as it will wash my clothes I'll be happy.

On the dryer its a Whirlpool (It says "Supreme" all the way to the upper right) with the knob all the way to the right a "Push to start", next is the temprature knob, an infinate knob with several settings, and
It has the following cycles on the dial:

Automatic Regular, Automatic Perm Press, Fluff Air, and Timed drying with marks for tumble press and damp dry.

Theses look like pretty solid old units. I have a hard time believing anything new would do better or last longer.

I'm only 31 and I bet these appliances are as old if not older than me, but I have an appreciation for well made stuff.

 

[DADoES]

 
Model numbers are usually coded for market year.  Serial numbers are coded for production date.

 

[ea56]

I also had a new set of the Space Mates that I bought new in 1987.   Hands down the best washing machine I ever owned since 1972, and I’ve owned at least 23 in that time period.  I used it for 7 trouble free years and sold it with the condo which became a rental unit.  The new owner used it for several more years.  

 

I used the Weigh to Save door all the time, made selecting the correct water level foolproof, although I certainly knew by sight when I needed max fill.  And it held way more than you would ever believe.  The salesman told me to pack it full, just not tightly. I could wash a kingsize down comforter with no problem.

 

If you’re so inclined clean it up and do whatever repairs may be indicated and give it a try.  You may be very glad you did.

 

Eddie

 

[tombombadom]

I'm going to give it a try! Its less things I have to buy up front. And when your starting with nothing like me, you'll take what you can get! Money for other things like painting rooms and things like that. Or replacing the 40 plus year old John Wood water heater, I'll have to snap a picture of that next time I am there. It is quite something.

I figure, get the softener working, and these things should last a good long time. Our water here is hard.

I will try and get some model numbers and things off of these the next time I am up. I saw them today but didn't think to snap any pictures of them.

 

[moparwash]

WW Fl

Those are all pretty much the same on the inside from 1959 through the end of production in 1988. Lots of great advice and parts leads on here! My 1961 washes great!

 

[tombombadom]

Here's some more pictures of the model number, and of the ancient water heater here. Unfortunately its not long for this world. It's full of rust and the water doesnt stay hot for long.

Did a small load of wash today as a test run. Just a few towels. The washer performed beautifully! Hopefully there will be no surprises!

 

[DADoES]

 
July 1987 if the translation is correct.

 

[tombombadom]

Soak Feature

Hey all,

Just wanted to say this ole washer has really grown on me and has worked beautifully. In the 9 months or so I've been living here. Im really glad I listened to you all and kept this unit when every instinct in me wanted to get rid of it. So thank you for that!

Today's question involves the Soak Function on this machine. Can someone give me a better breakdown of how it works and when I might use it? I work in a Machine shop and my clothes get pretty dirty during the week, I was wondering if this may help get them cleaner?

Sorry if this sounds weird but im a bachelor who until I moved in to my house never really had to worry about doing my laundry and am just trying to be more informed. The instructions are long gone and this machine is apparently pretty rare and old enough I havent been able to find much info online. Thanks again!!

 

[ea56]

I don’t believe that there is a soak cycle on this machine. If you have an extra dirty item or load select the max time on the dial for the wash cycle. You can also reset the timer for a few more mins if you think it may need it, but do this BEFORE the wash portion of the cycle is complete, ie. when the dial reaches the 2 min mark, push in the dial and turn the dial clockwise back the the number of extra mins you want and pull the control out to start the wash action again, then let the cycle complete as usual.

Or, after the wash cycle is almost complete, pull out the control and let the clothes soak in the water for however long you think they may need. The just pull the know back out when they’ve soaked as long as you want and let the cycle complete itself.

I used my Westinghouse FL for 7 years and never had anything that didn’t come out clean with the max time selected, but I worked in an office and my husband worked as a waiter so there wasn’t any heavy grease or garden dirt to wash out.

HTH
Eddie

 

[DADoES]

 
There is a Soak (and Prewash) reference on the timer in Pic #5 of the opening post but the details are not clear.

Thomas, post a better pic of the timer to help-along with further advice.

 

[ea56]

Opps

I missed the picture that Glenn referred to in his post. Yes, this machine does have both a soak and a pre wash, mine didn’t have these cycles.

Without the owners manual to refer to, my guess is that you would simply set the control to Soak and add the detergent and clothes and turn on the machine. It will go thru the soak for the time allotted to soaking, then agitate for a few mins then probably spin and shut off. Then you would just select the cycle you would normally use for the load being washed to complete washing the heavily soiled items. Use less detergent for the wash as some will remain from the soak and prewash as there won’t be a rinse before it spins and shuts off.

The method I suggested above is what you would do for a machine without a designated Soak cycle.

BTW Thomas, I’m glad you cleaned this machine up, are using it and like it. The Westinghouse FL I had was the best washing machine I’ve ever owned.

HTH,
Eddie[this post was last edited: 12/5/2020-17:19]

 

[appnut]

Soak cycle

Thomas, I am guessing that when you set the timer for the soak portion, the machine adds water just like it would if it was at the beginning of a wash cycle. It tumbles for a couple of minutes and then pauses for a soaking period. The timer continues to advance and when it gets to the pre wash section, it begins to tumble again and drains and spins. then you return to the washer and set for the cycle you wish to use and proceeds with the wash cycle. Add some detergent for the soak cycle. then when you set the washer to the wash cycle, add more detergent. If you work clothes are as dirty as you indicate, a soak or prewash might be beneficial before you take the load through a regular wash cycle.

 

[tombombadom]

Timer

Thank you all for the responses! I know it sounds silly to say but this 30 plus year old washer almost has too many options for me haha. Im just trying to get the most out of it. It always cleans my jeans up so nice. They get covered in black grease and crap from work.

I also believe the water softener has pry helped this and all the rest of the appliances out greatly.

I've got a very hard time believing that anything new would perform better or last longer than this unit has. Ive been very happy with it and again so glad I kept it.

I tried getting some good pictures of the timer. If you want more let me know. Between the bad lighting and the shiney text messing with the flash it was honestly quite difficult to get a good picture.