Thread Number: 69562  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
POD 3/3/17: GE Spotscrubber Washer
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Post# 924594   3/3/2017 at 05:08 (2,583 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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My contact with GE washers was primarily with machines built between 1964-1972. I was impressed with the (for that time) high speed of the agitation---and of course, the Filter-Flo system.

What is the sequence of the Spotscrubber cycle? The ad says it used the mini tub/basket to concentrate the detergent. Was it a complete wash/rinse/spin dry cycle or was it designed as a pre-wash/spin in which you'd subsequently add the Spotscrubbed items to a regular load in the big tub for a complete cycle?

Today's HE washers utilize very concentrated detergent solutions and long wash periods (usually with some built-in soak time) to help remove stains/heavy soil. How effective was the Spotscrubber cycle in removing stains?






Post# 924597 , Reply# 1   3/3/2017 at 06:04 (2,583 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)        

Eugene:

My experience with the GE FilterFlo was when I got one in 1993 -- it had a white-on-white control panel, but it was I think the last model they made, I believe it went to a rim-flo (like the Hotpoints) and by 1995-96 or so they had already gone to the 3-something cubic foot basket with a dual-action agitator.

Basically you were supposed to put the mini-basket in, load it with the garments to clean, put the filter on top. Then you'd select a "Mini-Basket" water level, if I remember correctly. Set the SpotScrubber knob to "On", put on detergent, select water temp and set the dial to a cycle that I believe was also called SpotScrubber.

The machine would fill to the lowest level, and start agitating -- the pump would send water to the filter, which would then fall into the mini-basket; one of the main differences was that the machines with SpotScrubber had a "solid tub" mini basket, the water could only leave/overflow thru the top holes. Other models had mini baskets with both top holes and holes underneath.

Anyway, as the washer pumped the mini basket full, the "SpotScrubber" knob would count down a minute or two and then pinch a rubber hose that led to the filter, thus stopping the flow of water and keeping the concentration inside the mini basket higher than usual. When the machine started spinning, the SpotScrubber would advance to "Off" and let water overflow when the machine next filled for the two automatic rinses. The spray rinse could get rid of the suds lock, but the load inside the mini basket depended on the two deep rinses to let go of the detergent.

In my experience, it worked really well, but then again the machine washed really well anyway if you had a good detergent with enzymes and hot water. I did put it to use when a housemate got ink all over a couple of his shirts and the SpotScrubber did remove the ink stains. And another time a t-shirt got bleach spots on it accidentally, so I put it in that cycle with the normal amount of bleach and it all faded to a nice tint and no bleach spots. I ran a third rinse with vinegar to neutralize the bleach and got a nice t-shirt to wear for a bit (the bleach naturally weakened the cotton at that concentration, but I didn't care because the t-shirt was useless in the spotted state).

All things considered, I really loved that washer and dryer set, they had a lot of things done just right. As for the downsides, one was the noisy operation and two the unbelievable amount of water/energy it consumed, because they basically took an old design (solid tub) and just removed the solid tub and put a perforated basket in there, I think there was a gap of about 2-3 inches between the basket and the outer drum.

I was sad the day we had to move to another apartment and the washer wouldn't fit thru the new apartment door by 1/4 inch. We sold the set to friends who used it for more than 10 years and got the new GE with the plastic tub and dual-action agitator. Did not care for that one, when we moved we left it behind and I believe the landlord told us it did not survive another 3 years.

Hope that helps, if you have more questions I'll try to answer them later.

Hugs,
   -- Paulo.


Post# 924620 , Reply# 2   3/3/2017 at 08:28 (2,583 days old) by washman (o)        

Hi Frig


Post# 924682 , Reply# 3   3/3/2017 at 15:13 (2,582 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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I have a Spotscrubber sitting in the barn, should someone be interested. With the matching dryer.


Post# 924699 , Reply# 4   3/3/2017 at 17:07 (2,582 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Hi, Ben!

Paulo-- Thanks for the detailed description of all things Spotscrubber. Sounds like an interesting feature; especially when it shuts down the filtering system to avoid dilution and suds cakes.


Post# 924745 , Reply# 5   3/3/2017 at 21:02 (2,582 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
If Only!

A GE Filter Flo was available brand new today!!!What a good machine!

Post# 924748 , Reply# 6   3/3/2017 at 21:10 (2,582 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

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Post# 924823 , Reply# 7   3/4/2017 at 02:30 (2,582 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Thanks for the TV commercial, Martin. These machines had a nice-looking console.

Hans-- Did you find a replacement for your "walking" Maytag, yet? If so, what did you wind up going with?



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