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Post# 599928   5/30/2012 at 15:53 (4,342 days old) by Iamthewasher ()        

Hello everyone. After dealing with a stinky, mildew-y, smaller sized frontloader for the last 7 years it has finally started leaking and we will be getting a new Speed Queen set on Friday morning. Thanks to reading tons of threads here felt like it was a great choice and I got a great deal on the AWN542 and the dryer...4BR I believe? The "top" of the line in both.

For all of my clothes washing life I have been using a frontloader. What do I need to know when I make this switch over to the top loader? What is different as far as use and also maintenance?





Post# 599933 , Reply# 1   5/30/2012 at 16:08 (4,342 days old) by StrongEnough78 (California)        

strongenough78's profile picture
The only useage difference I can think of will be more detergent. Just follow the directions on the package for top loader amounts. And more softener too if you use that. And read the manual thoroughly, it'll tell you exactly how to use it and to achieve optimum results. As far as maintenance, just leave the lid open when you're done washing for the day to let the machine air out and you'll have no mildew problems. That and an occasional wipe down if it gets dirty. You're going to be happy with your new Speed Queen. The cycles will be shorter but your clothes will still come out clean. Congratulations on your new set.

Post# 599960 , Reply# 2   5/30/2012 at 18:34 (4,342 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Congrats

mrb627's profile picture
And welcome to SPEED QUEEN BLISS!

Malcolm


Post# 599966 , Reply# 3   5/30/2012 at 19:05 (4,342 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Hey guys, how high is the subject SQ washer going to fill with water for wash and rinse cycles?


Post# 599967 , Reply# 4   5/30/2012 at 19:26 (4,342 days old) by StrongEnough78 (California)        

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Well it won't fill to true capacity as they haven't for the past couple of years. So the water level screw adjusting will be needed if required.

Post# 600022 , Reply# 5   5/31/2012 at 01:29 (4,342 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        
As far as switching from a front loader to a top loader

lebron's profile picture
Heres what you can be expected to experience. Less capacity, increased clothing wear and possible damage, inferior stain removal, decreased water extraction leading to increased drying times, higher water and electrical bills, just to name a few

Post# 600115 , Reply# 6   5/31/2012 at 13:52 (4,341 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
AND!

MUCH BETTER RINSING, no scum or gray residue on your clothes, much softer clothes, much better cleaning of very dirty clothes!

Post# 600120 , Reply# 7   5/31/2012 at 14:35 (4,341 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hans...

chestermikeuk's profile picture
have you changed to a front loader??, have I missed something??

Post# 600125 , Reply# 8   5/31/2012 at 14:49 (4,341 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
NO!

Im just saying, IMHO, a top loader is much better because YOU HAVE TO HAVE WATER TO WASH, but even more so to RINSE!,.You will love the Speed Queen!

Post# 600129 , Reply# 9   5/31/2012 at 15:17 (4,341 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
......

chestermikeuk's profile picture
"Loud & Clear"...!!!

Post# 600134 , Reply# 10   5/31/2012 at 15:43 (4,341 days old) by pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
i agree

pierreandreply4's profile picture
strange but i tend to agree i have a duet set but what you need to know is not all space can fit a frontload washer technicly my laundry area where i have the washer dryer since the frontload washer is to big and the way my home was built a frontload washer can not fit as the pipes where the washer is connected comes out from the floor. And second when my mom and me bought the duet set in 2004 we had to mesure or laundry space and i had to sacefice closet doors in order for the washer to fit or i would not be able to open the door to load the washer or the dispenser to add detergent. The choice of a washing machine depends on the person cycle needs. And i also read that in another thread someone who had a duet washer dryer sets where unable to move them du to the fact that they where to large to fit in the person new home laundry area.

Post# 600137 , Reply# 11   5/31/2012 at 16:16 (4,341 days old) by joefuss1984 (Little Rock, AR)        
less capacity and inferior stain removal, really?!

joefuss1984's profile picture

I never have a problem with stain removal using a top loader first and foremost.  If stains are treated properly whether using top or front load they should come out.  I also find that I have the same capacity in my top load as a friend of mine does in her front load.  


Post# 600231 , Reply# 12   6/1/2012 at 05:14 (4,341 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

Congratulations on your purchase!!

I'm the opposite. I've always had top loaders in the past and I purchased a front loader for the first time.

The first thing I'm going to say is, PAY ATTENTION to the type of fabrics you are washing and the settings on the machine. Top loaders have the capability of destroying clothing if you don't use the right settings.

If you do use the right settings, they tend to do a great job, but where they really shine is on those heavy denim and canvas fabrics. If you wash things like Pillows, always use the gentle cycle whenever possible otherwise the agitator will rip your pillows apart. (Personal experience talking here.)

Another thing about top loaders, put the clothes in loosely into the basket, don't pack them in like a front loader. You know if you loaded it correctly if the clothes turn over in the water. If they just "float" there and move back and forth, they are still getting cleaned, but maybe not as well.

My GE had a real big problem with Denim fabrics if you loaded it properly. You had to under-load it so that the jeans just wouldn't float on top and not get cleaned. (If it's not touching water, it probably isn't being cleaned.)

My 4.1 cu.ft GE could hold 9 pairs of jeans, but realistically it can wash 7. In comparison, my 3.3 cu.ft Huebsch can wash 9 pairs, no problem. :)

That's the first thing I noticed about switching over to a front loader is that the clothing isn't rinsed as well as a top loader, leaving more fragrance in the clothing... but I don't mind because I'm not sensitive to the soap.

BTW, NEVER EVER wind clothing around an agitator!!! Do not do this! I have done this and have paid the price. You will not like what happens if you do that.

Oh, another thing.. If you mess with the water level switch and don't use enough water to clean your clothing, the clothing won't turn over and you could possibly damage your clothing..

So, the trick is learning where the water levels actually are. The easiest way to do that is to let the washer fill on the lowest setting, then as soon as the agitator kicks in, move the dial up to "Reset" then move the dial down to the next setting and see what happens.

Eventually, you will become familiar with what water levels are what and you can save some water depending on the load you plan on doing.

Top loaders are the most efficient when they are fully loaded, but obviously the less clothes are in them per load, the better they work. The trick is finding the right balance.

You didn't make a bad decision because your clothing will come out clean. However, there are different mindsets to using a top loading machine over a front loader.

Have fun and good luck!



Post# 600295 , Reply# 13   6/1/2012 at 11:12 (4,340 days old) by Iamthewasher ()        

Well have washed a load of towels, very impressed with how quiet it is and how quickly they were done. I love being able to open the washer while it is going to check on progress. However the floor drain is backing up big time so plumber is on the way.

Post# 600299 , Reply# 14   6/1/2012 at 12:02 (4,340 days old) by Iamthewasher ()        

Update-plumber snaked our floor drain all through and it is completely clear. He says washer has a strong pump and is pumping water quicker and we are just getting back pressure where the drains meet up...may replace floor drain if it is happening again with one that closes up and doesn't let the water overflow. My first extra-large load of towels dried a lot quicker than my old dryer would do!!!!! I am PUMPED! now on to my laundry marathon...

Also-I am assuming on my dryer fabric selector that Regular is high heat?


Post# 600310 , Reply# 15   6/1/2012 at 13:09 (4,340 days old) by Mikeske (Washington State)        

My wife loves her new Speed Queen, we went with the AWN412 which is the just the basic model and she loves the new machine. It actually gets the cloths clean and the cloths are coming out a lot softer and more comfortable then the front loader we had. I am thinking that the fact she is more used to top loaders and she has control over how it washes rather then the machine having control.

The drain is a interesting problem and you might try getting a stand up laundry sink (no you do not need the faucets) and then having the machine drain into the floor drain to slow down the high speed flow of water might help. Just use some drain pipe to the floor drain


Post# 600314 , Reply# 16   6/1/2012 at 13:42 (4,340 days old) by StrongEnough78 (California)        

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Yes, Regular is a High Heat setting.

Post# 600318 , Reply# 17   6/1/2012 at 13:58 (4,340 days old) by Iamthewasher ()        

Well my floor drain is still backing up, Our plumber says the solution is to install a new floor drain that has a backwater valve (pretty sure that's the right term?) so we are doing that Wednesday. I'm finding that for the typical loads I do I only need about medium water setting. I am just amazed and how quick both washer and dryer are..I keep moving the dryer dial more towards "less dry" everytime I put a load in because they are drying so quick.

Post# 600343 , Reply# 18   6/1/2012 at 16:14 (4,340 days old) by StrongEnough78 (California)        
I am just amazed and how quick both washer and dryer are..I

strongenough78's profile picture
The joys of having a top loader. The same results in a fraction of the time. Pretty soon you're going to find yourself with a lot of spare time not having to wait for the hour long or longer wash cycles from a front loader! :)

Post# 600397 , Reply# 19   6/1/2012 at 20:29 (4,340 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Well...

mrb627's profile picture
They don't call 'em SPEED QUEEN for nothing!

Enjoy them. I love mine!

Malcolm


Post# 602010 , Reply# 20   6/8/2012 at 19:57 (4,333 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))        

spinspeed's profile picture
What does IMHO mean? Seen it and a few variants such as OTHO. Never been good with acronyms.

Simon.


Post# 602016 , Reply# 21   6/8/2012 at 20:23 (4,333 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

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IMHO - in my honest opinion

Gary


Post# 602025 , Reply# 22   6/8/2012 at 20:56 (4,333 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))        

spinspeed's profile picture
Cheers Gary, quite obvious now I know.

Simon


Post# 602094 , Reply# 23   6/9/2012 at 05:10 (4,333 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

You know, that is the biggest thing that I've noticed..

My GE Top loaders used 15 minutes for the "Super" cycle, 12 Minutes for the "Normal" cycle and 8 minutes for the "Light" cycle.

It could do a load of laundry in about 40 minutes, that was on the normal cycle with one rinse and two spins.

My Huebsch front loader can complete a cycle in the same amount of time, but it spends 20 minutes washing and much less time rinsing and spinning.

My friends LG takes an hour to wash clothing on the normal cycle. I once brought in a comforter, washed it on the Sanitize cycle, it took 2.5 hours!


Post# 602155 , Reply# 24   6/9/2012 at 12:11 (4,332 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

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Simon, I think you meant OTOH, or On The Other Hand.

 

Another seen often on discussion boards is IIRC, or If I Recall/Remember Correctly.

 

A little less frequently, YMMV, or Your Mileage May Vary.

 

There's probably a glossary out there on line somewhere.


Post# 602233 , Reply# 25   6/9/2012 at 20:12 (4,332 days old) by spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))        

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Thanks rp2813. I think there are way too many acronyms used these days. Sometimes when I go to a meeting at work and all these acronyms are used I often have no idea what they are talking about. I get quite a lot of pleasure stopping them and asking what an acronym means. Another very common one is lol is that lots of laughs or lots of love?Simon

Post# 602240 , Reply# 26   6/9/2012 at 20:53 (4,332 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture

Good thing you've never worked for The Phone Company.  Everything they do has an acronym.


Post# 609992 , Reply# 27   7/13/2012 at 10:37 (4,298 days old) by Iamthewasher ()        

Simon-Laugh Out Loud.

So it's been a month 1/2 with my new washer & dryer! There is nothing to dislike. I can wash everything in it, I have not had it go out of balance. Previous washer wouldn't spin certain loads: bathroom rug, fleece throws from living room...just stopped and I had to deal with a soping wet throw! It is getting out stains beautifully. The mini cycle is fantastic----as it's summer and I have kids we are having lots of wet swim suits which should really be washed on cold, gentle so I throw our suits in there together in a mini cycle and then hang them. Also great because we usually have 2-3 "gentle cycle" type shirts when I go to wash and I just do them on mini. No smell. Dryer is great. I am SO SO glad I went into our local repair store who also sells appliance-when I walked in I said I want something with all the bells and whistles that will last a LONG time...he says well if you want something that will last, you want a Speed Queen set. Had I not gone in there I would have purchased (most likely) the LG front loader that explodes as my in-laws had just purchased that set and love them. THANKS for all the threads on here to convince me as well! MY MOM is so jealous of my "old school" washer and dryer. She has a Kenmore top loading HE and dryer from a Black Friday that she despises. Have no doubt I will still be washing clothes with this washer when my children graduate from highschool (15 years!)


Post# 610009 , Reply# 28   7/13/2012 at 12:06 (4,298 days old) by fido ()        

Yes, from an engineering point a toploader should last longer than a frontloader, which is fighting gravity, with a heavy drum full of washing only supported at one end.

Post# 610019 , Reply# 29   7/13/2012 at 13:18 (4,298 days old) by mtn1584 (USA)        
I bought two of these Speed Queen sets.....

one for me, and another for my mother. You will love them. They are sturdy, use sufficent water (adjustment needed) do their jobs quickly and efficently.
I don't care what anyone says, I can attest to the fact that these machines in both top and front load versions are THE BEST MACHINES ON THE MARKET TODAY.
1. You won't regret your purchase
2. Switch to NON-HE detergent (both liquid and powder work great)
3. The Fabric Care Switch is actually a SPEED Switch which gives the washer great flexability. For example if you use the Regular Cycle (Heavy Soil) on the timer, and you want to wash/spin on slow speed to get a longer wash time, you can by selecting Delicate fabric on the selecting knob.
4. The are built like tanks, and have a terrifc warranty.
Good luck,
Mike



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