Wringer washer users out there .

[stan]

Hi guys
Elisha’s post about searching for a usable wringer for his folks caused me to wonder how many here on the forum are using wringers exclusively?
I recently had a breakdown of my automatic daily driver, and until I could get a part to fix it, I resorted to the faithful Maytag wringer.
While using the old girl I thought to myself that years ago.. when my wringer was new..someone was very happy to have this machine and I imagined someone moving from handwashing with a washboard to something much easier like my wringer!
Fast forward.. I was very happy to be able to use my automatic once my part came in and the automatic was up and running again.
The wringer was certainly better than going to a laundry mat and certainly got everything clean..but the babysitting and being that physically involved..
The fact that it was cold rainy day meant that I couldn’t hang things outside and knowing that the wringer would not extract water like a spin cycle, I found myself wringing things twice in order to feel comfortable putting in the dryer.
With that said..anyone using a wringer as a daily driver?

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

I use mine regularly, not exclusively

And mine is used to do one Wash, and two rinses, the first rinse, I do in a laundry tub, just because I can rinse out the ringer and make sure I wash out any powdered detergent, and the second rinse, I do in the ringer washer tub with fabric softener,

 

[qsd-dan]

Not exclusively, but on occasion I use them. It help having 3 so I can transfer the load straight over to the next machine rather than having to dump and fill each time and store the clothes on an open lid.

I also run everything through the wringer twice on the last and final rinse (2 deep rinses).

They are fun to use on occasion but drive me a little bonkers in long term use.

 

[launderess]

Regularly no, just don't have that kind of time.

If wasn't spoiled for choice with automatic washing machines (one Miele and two AEG) things might be different.

Maytag handles washing large loads streets better than Hoover TT, but latter extracts more water in spin drier.

When one does use Maytag wringer things are rinsed twice or until water is clear, wrung, then bunged into either of my spin driers or automatic washers for final extraction. Am not having sopping wet wash dripping about the place for ages.

For large/bulky things that cannot be accommodated in any of automatic washers things are wrung twice, then off to laundromat and bunged in huge (and hot) dryer.

While self adjusting rollers in theory are a boon with Maytag wringers it also limits how much water one can squeeze out of wash.

Mind you makers of hand powered wringers and or power ones that had manual adjustment warned users against making rollers too tight. This both from strain placed on mangle (wringer) and whatever washing was being put through wringer.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

I wonder how Maytag made theirs

Into a automatic Pressure sensitive wringer

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add to my first reply, that I generally

Run The second rinse water with fabric softener in it, and until the water turns clear , that’s when I know it’s done rinsing, and I don’t actually change the water, I just stick it in let it agitate until the water turns clear on the second rinse with fabric softener my laundry, always came clean that way I think it actually might rinse better than my new automatic

 

[ea56]

I haven’t used a wringer washer in over 50 years now. But my first washer was a Maytag model J that I bought used for $35 in ‘72. I used it exclusively for 18 mo to do all my laundry. Also, my last year at home as a teen we had a Maytag model EL. I found doing laundry with a wringer washer almost zen. The rhythmic procedure of doing the laundry was strangely relaxing and rewarding in that an entire weeks worth of laundry could be washed, rinsed and wrung out in 1 hour or less.

If we had the room for a proper laundry tub I’d be quite happy to get another Maytag wringer washer as a daily driver. They wash beautifully and even though the finished laundry isn’t as damp dry as laundry spun in an automatic or twin tub I never found that to be a problem.

Eddie

 

[launderess]

.."automatic Pressure sensitive wringer.."

Use of springs and bearings played good part. See parts diagram...

https://cottagecraftworks.com/media...a6c984/m/a/maytag-wringer-frame-parts_1_1.jpg

https://cottagecraftworks.com/maytag-wringer-cap-parts

On manually adjusted wringers one screws down a knob on top of mangle that applies pressure (tension). This will remain set until or unless knob (or knobs in case of two) are unscrewed to release tension.

Maytag's wringer once one has "locked" tension by turning knob on top of wringer rollers will "float" within a given range. That is they self adjust for thin to thick items within limits. Only way to increase tension (IIRC) is by adding a second set of bearings.

Beauty of Maytag's wringers is that if something too thick goes through (such as an arm..) tension is broken and wringer rollers pop apart. This is a safety measure that is most welcomed, but can annoy some users. If you try to put something too thick through Maytag wringer it will activate system, and there's nothing one can do to override.

Amish one deals with for Maytag WW parts said one of the most common repairs is damage to wringer heads where people insist on attempting to put really bulky items through mangle and finally bust the thing.

Maytag wringer head is a complex bit of kit. While Maytag did sell spare parts dealers and repair persons were often advised depending upon service required it usually was best just to get a new wringer head.

 

[launderess]

Say what you want but people are still willing to shell out good money for Maytag wringer washers.

Maytag Wringer Washer | Live and Online Auctions on HiBid.com

hibid.com

 

[launderess]

Putting things through wringer twice

You see in this YT video a Canadian man putting things through wringer twice after final rinse.

Much like H-axis washers will redistribute things a few times before going into final spin, shaking things out and putting them through wringer twice gets at water trapped in folds or creases.

 

[ragnboneman]

Under a machine that shears steel roll into sheet at Algoma works there is a " pit " as they call it a machinery space where mechanics would check pumps and hoses, electrical cables were run in it too...
I went into this pit on the shear line and discovered a GE Wringer washer busy doing a load and some work shirts, pants, boiler suits hanging to dry from some dead copper bus bars ( I checked out of service equipment space )
This would have been around 2010?
No one said anything about it or knew how it got there or when it arrived.
But maintenance dept people were going in there to use it lol.
This was absolutely the last place I ever thought I would see something like that.

I found another in the mechanical room of a mine I once worked at.
It had not been used in sometime, but clearly had been used to clean mops and rags probably by some fellow that retired and his job since contracted out.

I imagine there are other wringers and old machines quietly still doing some work in other old plants.
Sometimes even with a laundry service you need to wash stuff.
I would not be surprised if this is very common in plants older than 50 years.
A lot of very old machines can soldier on for a very long time if only used once and a while to do a light load...

Where ever there is a mens or ladies dry, or welfare room as some call it, you find a laundry area.
I've seen guys bring street clothes in to wash lol.
But most of the cleaning and equipment are now contracted and mechanical rooms are like time capsules.
The hired cleaning crew does not use plant machines and infrastructure.
The contractor makes more money renting his own so these old machines are out there.
Often used by maintenance dept people for their own PPE

I know of a couple other wringers.
One does only shop towels and rags at a car detail shop.

This does not answer the OPs question.
But I think its relevant, you never know what you will find in a basement next to forgotten or seldom used stuff

 

[chestermikeuk]

Wringers Exclusively .

Hello Stan while not using wringers exclusively some of us use them regularly, while nostalgic to use it depends on how you are feeling given that since wringer washers we are now used to an array of automatic,
economical and easier to use washing machines, but still good fun to use, and better for some tasks .

I do put clothing though a number of passes, especially towels and with cottons I fold the fabric over increasing the pressure to get more water out .

Usually over here it rainy wet UK we would have used a spin dryer , most family & friends I know had a wringer also had a spin dryer for quicker drying .

Here is Darren using hos English Electric Wringer , and also his Creda Debonair Spin Dryer .

Have Fun With Your Maytag Wringer !!



Creda Spin Dryer

post was last edited: 1/18/2024-05:48]