Spotted on reddit without much information. Who made these washers? How well did they work? What were the cycles like? Did they have a heater?
Who Made These Washers?
- Thread starter Chetlaham
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I hate to have to tell you this, but whatever else there is about these washers, the doors look like the door on the one year only Norge front loading automatic built by Bendix. The photographer was born in New York and has taken photographs in many countries. The word "Duplex" screws up all searching and I cannot read the word to the left of it. "Duplex" might refer to a double load size tub like some Bendix coin op washers with the Duomatic tub.
Yup, same here. "Duplex" is throwing me off- searching doesn't yield much. I know little about Bendix washers, these in particular leave me clueless. They do look nice however, I wish I could try them out. The door says they fill with lots of water and the rest looks really nice. I love the lights and what looks like a timer indicator to the right?
" The door says they fill with lots of water and the rest looks really nice."
Suds level indicators were common with vintage commercial and domestic front loaders. It didn't however always indicate water usage.
There were only a handful of low sudsing detergents such as Dash or All. Most everything else back then including market leader Tide created tons of suds. Worse persons tended to use way more detergent than necessary in front loaders resulting in mounds of froth.
When soap was still queen of wash day and or even after detergents appeared directions on packet often stated when using front loaders to use enough product to produce suds about "half-way" up window.
Interestingly h-axis washers both commercial and residential in European market apparently never seemed to bother with such directions on door.
Suds level indicators were common with vintage commercial and domestic front loaders. It didn't however always indicate water usage.
There were only a handful of low sudsing detergents such as Dash or All. Most everything else back then including market leader Tide created tons of suds. Worse persons tended to use way more detergent than necessary in front loaders resulting in mounds of froth.
When soap was still queen of wash day and or even after detergents appeared directions on packet often stated when using front loaders to use enough product to produce suds about "half-way" up window.
Interestingly h-axis washers both commercial and residential in European market apparently never seemed to bother with such directions on door.
Near as one can see someone marketed "Duplex" washers back in late 1950's. Just who that was cannot find out as printed matter is under copyright so entire article isn't available online.
One wonders if image above isn't some sort of artist or image conceptualization rather than actual machines. "Suds Level" indication seems to be painted or otherwise added on rather than printed onto actual glass porthole as was in real life.
Images have a vague resemblance to Philco-Bendix who made "Double Load" coin-op washers.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?17164
From a long ago thread in archives at some point there does seem to have been "duplex" coin-op front loaders in Europe. Have not been able to find hide nor hair via internet search however.
One wonders if image above isn't some sort of artist or image conceptualization rather than actual machines. "Suds Level" indication seems to be painted or otherwise added on rather than printed onto actual glass porthole as was in real life.
Images have a vague resemblance to Philco-Bendix who made "Double Load" coin-op washers.
https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?17164
From a long ago thread in archives at some point there does seem to have been "duplex" coin-op front loaders in Europe. Have not been able to find hide nor hair via internet search however.
An AW member has a (NOS) Philco-Bendix commercial washer from what would be about same period as washers seen in OP. While it does use more water during wash than perhaps today's offerings, things are no where near three-quarters or half-way up porthole.
All h-axis washers by nature of their drum action will create froth when soaps and detergents are used. Hence need to use low froth detergents. It also explains why pure soap pretty much went away for wash day far as h-axis washers are concerned once controlled suds products came along.
All h-axis washers by nature of their drum action will create froth when soaps and detergents are used. Hence need to use low froth detergents. It also explains why pure soap pretty much went away for wash day far as h-axis washers are concerned once controlled suds products came along.
Thank you for those vids! I love vintage front load washers, especially those with EM controls and induction motors. Of course the added water too! Modern FL use to little water for my liking.
Did lots of suds effect these washers in any way? I personally like the idea of moderate amounts of suds. So much suds the first spin is skipped, lol.
Did lots of suds effect these washers in any way? I personally like the idea of moderate amounts of suds. So much suds the first spin is skipped, lol.
It being a commercial/coin-op venue, I'm guessing there's a relationship to Bendix/Dexter/Philco.
"Did lots of suds effect these washers in any way"
Yes, far as h-axis washers are concerned excess froth is an anathema. When soaps were all there was on offer for wash day both commercial laundries and then domestic washers (early Bendix, Westinghouse, etc...) all suffered wash results because of high amounts of froth.
When detergents came along it was same thing. Cannot recall entire story atm but IIRC Monsanto worked with either Bendix or some early front load washer maker to produce low suds detergent that would go on to be come All.
There really isn't a need for large amounts of froth when using detergents on wash day. With soaps a case could be made that froth was an indication of water being properly softened and enough product was being used to get job done.
When P&G first introduced Tide back in 1940's it was a failure. Housewives used to mountains of suds from using soap didn't believe Tide cleaned well because it didn't make much froth. P&G reformulated Tide so it made "mountains of suds" and it was off to races. Tide quickly became number one selling laundry detergent in USA dethroning soaps.
In pretty much all cases excess froth hinders cleaning and bogs down both top loading and h-axis washing machines.
To be fair there are times when one wants bit of froth when using front loaders. This is why detergents for delicates, woolens, silks and such items often are more sudsing than regular "HE" detergents. Perwoll, FEWA, Dreft and others use properties of excess froth to cushion things being washed to provide more gentle treatment.
Such products are meant to be used with "delicate" wash cycles on h-axis washers however. Using them in regular/normal cycles can cause way too much froth to form.
Very long story short at h-axis washers clean by lifting and dropping wash against sides of tub and other laundry in tub. Excess suds cushion that action which gives a poor "normal" wash.
Other issue with froth as noted by linked Dash commercial is it hinders rinsing.
With soap suds died off moment fresh (often hard) water was introduced for rinsing. Well at least it was "hard" in that wasn't softened by excess soap or other means. That did not means soap was fully rinsed from garments, just that you couldn't see residue. Detergents aren't affected as much by hard water and thus you get all those suds that can take many rinses to get rid of.
Today's modern detergents even those not labeled "HE" do seem far better rinsing on average than thing of old.
Yes, far as h-axis washers are concerned excess froth is an anathema. When soaps were all there was on offer for wash day both commercial laundries and then domestic washers (early Bendix, Westinghouse, etc...) all suffered wash results because of high amounts of froth.
When detergents came along it was same thing. Cannot recall entire story atm but IIRC Monsanto worked with either Bendix or some early front load washer maker to produce low suds detergent that would go on to be come All.
There really isn't a need for large amounts of froth when using detergents on wash day. With soaps a case could be made that froth was an indication of water being properly softened and enough product was being used to get job done.
When P&G first introduced Tide back in 1940's it was a failure. Housewives used to mountains of suds from using soap didn't believe Tide cleaned well because it didn't make much froth. P&G reformulated Tide so it made "mountains of suds" and it was off to races. Tide quickly became number one selling laundry detergent in USA dethroning soaps.
In pretty much all cases excess froth hinders cleaning and bogs down both top loading and h-axis washing machines.
To be fair there are times when one wants bit of froth when using front loaders. This is why detergents for delicates, woolens, silks and such items often are more sudsing than regular "HE" detergents. Perwoll, FEWA, Dreft and others use properties of excess froth to cushion things being washed to provide more gentle treatment.
Such products are meant to be used with "delicate" wash cycles on h-axis washers however. Using them in regular/normal cycles can cause way too much froth to form.
Very long story short at h-axis washers clean by lifting and dropping wash against sides of tub and other laundry in tub. Excess suds cushion that action which gives a poor "normal" wash.
Other issue with froth as noted by linked Dash commercial is it hinders rinsing.
With soap suds died off moment fresh (often hard) water was introduced for rinsing. Well at least it was "hard" in that wasn't softened by excess soap or other means. That did not means soap was fully rinsed from garments, just that you couldn't see residue. Detergents aren't affected as much by hard water and thus you get all those suds that can take many rinses to get rid of.
Today's modern detergents even those not labeled "HE" do seem far better rinsing on average than thing of old.
All above being said lots of suds does make for great wash day drama.
I remember those suds lines on the doors of Bendix coin-ops in the 50s. The round thing on the right is probably the coin vault.
By time one began using laundromats all there was were signs on walls saying not to use more than 1/4 cup of detergent.
I did not know Woolite and other detergents were intended to froth more to dampen washing action thereby making it more gentle. That makes sense now, I've always gotten more suds with "gentle" detergents in general though I always assumed it was a coincidence until you brought it up otherwise. Way cool.
I've seen videos of laundry mat front loads that will terminate spin during suds lock and retry it as though it were an imbalance. Nice way to take strain off the machine. Top loaders tend to have clutches which handle suds lock fairly well, those that do not have clutches like late model Ts tend to overheat the motor such that it clicks off. I'd imagine the same for front loaders, hence the re-tries.
Suds aren't good in front loaders, but it sure is fun to have some in there.
I've seen videos of laundry mat front loads that will terminate spin during suds lock and retry it as though it were an imbalance. Nice way to take strain off the machine. Top loaders tend to have clutches which handle suds lock fairly well, those that do not have clutches like late model Ts tend to overheat the motor such that it clicks off. I'd imagine the same for front loaders, hence the re-tries.
Suds aren't good in front loaders, but it sure is fun to have some in there.
Since most commercial/industrial washers (h-axis) have dump valves instead of pumps, it takes quite a lot of excess froth I shouldn't think to make them abort extraction.
This is how you roll! *LOL*
Domestic and commercial front loaders with pumps are another matter.
Pumps are designed to handle water and to some extent froth. When too much of one or other comes at once it's more than thing can handle.
My older Miele simply slowed down extraction when too much froth was detected. The AEG washers either slow down and or simply stop spinning, then do a series of on and off with pump to get rid of excess water and or froth. If things are serious enough "Oversudsing" indicator light comes on at end of cycle letting one know they've been over generous with detergent.
This is how you roll! *LOL*
Domestic and commercial front loaders with pumps are another matter.
Pumps are designed to handle water and to some extent froth. When too much of one or other comes at once it's more than thing can handle.
My older Miele simply slowed down extraction when too much froth was detected. The AEG washers either slow down and or simply stop spinning, then do a series of on and off with pump to get rid of excess water and or froth. If things are serious enough "Oversudsing" indicator light comes on at end of cycle letting one know they've been over generous with detergent.
"Suds aren't good in front loaders, but it sure is fun to have some in there."
There is a school of thought that to some extent froth will help carry away soil, hairs, lint, muck, etc... Industrial/commercial laundry chemical companies offer products that will intentionally create froth in wash (most are soap based).
One adds such things with normal detergent when froth is desired to hopefully achieve effect desired.
There is a school of thought that to some extent froth will help carry away soil, hairs, lint, muck, etc... Industrial/commercial laundry chemical companies offer products that will intentionally create froth in wash (most are soap based).
One adds such things with normal detergent when froth is desired to hopefully achieve effect desired.
'I did not know Woolite and other detergents were intended to froth more"
First man made surfactants were anionic type. This was the technology P&G licensed and brought back from Europe as they sought to create a synthetic heavy duty laundry detergent.
FEWA was first synthetic detergent in Europe/world but being based on anionic surfactants presented some issues. First and foremost such surfactants have basically same properties as soap but aren't affected by hard water. They tend to be very high foaming which limits their use in certain automatic or even semi automatic washing machines.
Fewa, Dreft, Woolite and countless other similar products were "light duty" detergents. For various reasons they weren't up to snuff for really heavily soiled laundry. But were fine for woolens, delicates, silks, etc.... Excess foam created during was was a bonus when it came to h-axis washers since again it helped cushion textiles. Such products replaced soap for general house cleaning as well
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Bertsch#:~:text=In 1932 Bertsch invented
Old German promotional film for "Johanna" and Fewa waschmittel. At end Johanna says something about Fewa being better because it is neutral (pH).
Anionic surfactants on their own usually are near neutral. This is why they can be used to wash wool, woolens, silks and other fine washables that would be harmed by alkaline pH.
Another Fewa promotion from Henkel this time 1941.
Notice there aren't any men depicted? Only German women working at everything from in the home to locomotive yards. I'll give you three guesses why....
First man made surfactants were anionic type. This was the technology P&G licensed and brought back from Europe as they sought to create a synthetic heavy duty laundry detergent.
FEWA was first synthetic detergent in Europe/world but being based on anionic surfactants presented some issues. First and foremost such surfactants have basically same properties as soap but aren't affected by hard water. They tend to be very high foaming which limits their use in certain automatic or even semi automatic washing machines.
Fewa, Dreft, Woolite and countless other similar products were "light duty" detergents. For various reasons they weren't up to snuff for really heavily soiled laundry. But were fine for woolens, delicates, silks, etc.... Excess foam created during was was a bonus when it came to h-axis washers since again it helped cushion textiles. Such products replaced soap for general house cleaning as well
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Bertsch#:~:text=In 1932 Bertsch invented
Old German promotional film for "Johanna" and Fewa waschmittel. At end Johanna says something about Fewa being better because it is neutral (pH).
Anionic surfactants on their own usually are near neutral. This is why they can be used to wash wool, woolens, silks and other fine washables that would be harmed by alkaline pH.
Another Fewa promotion from Henkel this time 1941.
Notice there aren't any men depicted? Only German women working at everything from in the home to locomotive yards. I'll give you three guesses why....
Interesting picture - it looks like the logo next to the Duplex might be a large, stylized "E"? Maybe the washer to the left of the turquoise f/l would give a clue? Anyone recognize that panel?
Here are couple of vintage Norge coin-op washer examples with oval door escutcheons, were they different in later years - 70's?
Maybe that large letter
Is a B for Bendix? Or, was Electrolux in the laundry business back then?
Is a B for Bendix? Or, was Electrolux in the laundry business back then?
Neat. How do re-circulation pumps factor into all of this? I think those are best in front loads to pull settled detergent out of the sump/pump. I also prefer pump drains over gravity drains, but thats only me talking as a residential user and a user who likes propeller things.
Regarding the picture, could it be AI generated or touched up to some extent?
Regarding the picture, could it be AI generated or touched up to some extent?
