Newbie needing twin tub identification

Twin tubs are very "hands on" but enjoyable, and do the wash well.
The basics:
Sort clothes properly, you won't loose much heat in the water for the first 2 big laundry baskets thru, so have all your hot stuff ready first.
Don't overload the washtub, speed makes up for small loads. Use half OR LESS of your normal detergent amount, this tub is TINY.

Many spin tubs hold only about half what the wash tub holds, don't overload. And always use the rubber screen/guard, always. For the first spin, put the drain hose back in the wash to get that detergent- and heat- rich water right back, and start a new dirty load in the wash side. The rest of spinning, with fresh water, should be exhausted down the drain. I always do one quick spray rinse down the drain and always get every drop of water out, then open the lid, rearrange the clothes(pull bottom ones to top, etc) and then do a second spray rinse and always a complete dry spin to get amazing amounts of water out.

Different models let you "automatic rinse" versus turning water on and off yourself, you'll get the hang of it. Nevertheless, re-arrange the rinse load halfway thru for cleanest clearest rinsing. Of course, heavier material needs extra rinsing compared to thin cottons shirts, you'll get used to how much rinse time and load re-arrange gets you clear-running exhaust water.

In using a Twin Tub for months now, I have found that it's easiest and best results to pour 1/4 cup OR LESS of softener in a two gallon bucket, fill it with water, then after one good spray rinse, I pour the softener bucket over the clothes, right in the spin tub, slosh them around a bit, then spindry it all, works well for me.
You'll find drying is very very fast. I end up taking dry stuff from dryer every 5 minutes, and at the same time adding in the new stuff from the spinner tub, kind of a contnuous process instead of normal 35 minute load in the dryer.

Tips: Blue jeans, do one at a time, or with some very small items. Long sleeves, etc, get tangled, oh well, so do sheets. Just set timer for 1/2 the time you want, re-arrange or untangle, then wash for the second half of the overall time. I often do a 2 minute wash, rearrange the load and let it soak while I finsh the softener in the other tub, then 2 more minutes of wash. It's kind of a constant process in the wastub and spinner and your dryer, very different than what you're used to, separate batch by batch.

Also, I used to worry that 4 minutes was so short from the average automatic machine with 8-10-15 minute wash: Well, with splitting the washload into 2 spin loads and re-arranging each spin load between rinses, and adding softener, etc, you can end up with wash load soaking another 3 or 5 minutes, so it sort of evens out to a longer genuine time in the water, clothes come out clean! If something has soaked and scum has risen to the top of the wash load, kick it on for 1/2 minute, what the heck, then take it out and into the spinner.

Depending on what you washed and dirt amounts, you can quickly drain out the wash side and refill fresh. Oftentimes, adding a small amount more detergent after every 2 loads does the trick for me.

Whites, bleaching: Save all your whites til the end. Either add bleach to existing water for this very final wash, or brand new hot water and soap and bleach, your choice. Then I wash 2 minutes, let sit for a good half hour or so while I catch up with the dryer. then 4 minutes agitation, and lots of spinrinses and softener, then drain all water out of the entire machine, yucky clorox down the drain.

With a bit of practice, you'll find you get 5 times more clothes done in an hour than any automatic, but that entire hour is hands on for sure, that's the difference.

Different brands have some various different features, but regardless of knobs and buttons, it's very hands on from wash to spinback into washer, to spinrinse down the drain, add softener, bleach, etc. Forget what you know of automatics, and realize you have an excellent machine that you can fine-tune to each type of material, each dirtiness, each small batch, etc. You can stop and start either side of the machine, take any few items out you don't want washing for 15 minutes, leave in dirtier items while you add new dirty clothes. Every aspect is decided by you, not by pushbuttons on some front loaded big-batch modern thing. Ehttp://www.

Also, your floor is gonna get wetter than hell, the final bit of "washday" can be a quick mopping to give you the weekly clean kitchen floor!

Umm, that enough typing, eh? either Ive had too much coffee or I really enjoy my Twin Tub. Maybe both.


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Post# 490489 1/21/2011 at 01:38 (4,844 days old) by summerluvin_ca ()
Checkrate/Likes Hi all, I'm a mum to 3 beautiful young girls. We've recently had to downsize and are awaiting a new apartment. I have a full size tl washer and dryer but will be looking to get a twin tub. My infant daughter is cloth diapered, so i need something efficient. My granny use to own a twin tub and i would be mesmerized by the spinner! her nighties would come out practically dry! I managed to find the twin tub pictured but can't for the life of me figure out the make/brand. Can anyone help me out? Also any hints/tricks on how to get the most out of the tt for a family of 5?

Post# 490505 , Reply# 1 1/21/2011 at 05:26 (4,844 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)
Checkrate/Likes It is certainly Japanese in origin and most probably a Panasonic or possibly an Hitachi judging by those dials... There are others better qualified than I to provide pointers on TT use so I hold my hands up to others....but here goes.... - make sure you have at least 2 washing baskets - soak items before washing if needed - wash smaller amounts...don't overload - you should be able to get the equivalent of a 'top load' full out of one (topped up) tub of wash water/detergent - spin - whilst one small load is spinning, start the next in the wash - if the machine has a 'spin rinse' facility - fresh water goes into the spinner whilst spinning - it can be a good 'spray rinse' and the water can go back in the main tub - when you're satisfied that the wash water is past it's best...drain it - fill with clean and now start 'deep rinsing'....don't forget your conditioner if you wish to use it - spin as you go...but this time let the water go down the drain - top up if the level drops too low in the wash tub If you're used to using chlorine bleach, you may have to do 2 deep rinses instead of spray/deep....or switch to an alternative that you can put in with the wash powder.... Washing sheets and towels can be interesting as they can tend to 'rope'... Twin tubs can be fun, but I'd suggest that they really are only for 'quick' things these days given you have an automatic and quite possibly a full time table. It is a labour intensive way to wash and I certainly wouldn't want to be doing if for a family of 5....

Post# 490593 , Reply# 2 1/21/2011 at 14:01 (4,843 days old) by Revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)
Checkrate/Likes Hello and Welcome to AW! I have 2 twin tubs and a wringer washer (among others) and while I dont use them on a regular basis, I get the impression you can go through mounds of laundry in what seems like no time. I have a Hoover TT and a Maytag TT, both from the 1970's. I assume the newer TT's are larger capacity then either of mine, because the Maytag for sure, doesn't hold very much. But yes, as Chris said above, you fill the tub with hot or warm water and plan your loads accordingly. Just refresh with more warm water and a smidge of deterget as needed. I'm sure Bradross or Macboysi91 can assist further as they both know better then I do. Calling Brad or Tim... where are you??? Good luck, Kevin

Post# 490604 , Reply# 3 1/21/2011 at 15:18 (4,843 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)
Checkrate/Likes *Additionally...* ....the Brits were BIG twin tub users up until quite recently really - automatics really only overtook TT's in their market in the 1970's so they are well placed to offer advice on how to use.... ...and where is Laundress when you need her????

Post# 490618 , Reply# 4 1/21/2011 at 16:29 (4,843 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *Twin Tub Usage* Twin tubs are very "hands on" but enjoyable, and do the wash well. The basics: Sort clothes properly, you won't loose much heat in the water for the first 2 big laundry baskets thru, so have all your hot stuff ready first. Don't overload the washtub, speed makes up for small loads. Use half OR LESS of your normal detergent amount, this tub is TINY. Many spin tubs hold only about half what the wash tub holds, don't overload. And always use the rubber screen/guard, always. For the first spin, put the drain hose back in the wash to get that detergent- and heat- rich water right back, and start a new dirty load in the wash side. The rest of spinning, with fresh water, should be exhausted down the drain. I always do one quick spray rinse down the drain and always get every drop of water out, then open the lid, rearrange the clothes(pull bottom ones to top, etc) and then do a second spray rinse and always a complete dry spin to get amazing amounts of water out. Different models let you "automatic rinse" versus turning water on and off yourself, you'll get the hang of it. Nevertheless, re-arrange the rinse load halfway thru for cleanest clearest rinsing. Of course, heavier material needs extra rinsing compared to thin cottons shirts, you'll get used to how much rinse time and load re-arrange gets you clear-running exhaust water. In using a Twin Tub for months now, I have found that it's easiest and best results to pour 1/4 cup OR LESS of softener in a two gallon bucket, fill it with water, then after one good spray rinse, I pour the softener bucket over the clothes, right in the spin tub, slosh them around a bit, then spindry it all, works well for me. You'll find drying is very very fast. I end up taking dry stuff from dryer every 5 minutes, and at the same time adding in the new stuff from the spinner tub, kind of a contnuous process instead of normal 35 minute load in the dryer. Tips: Blue jeans, do one at a time, or with some very small items. Long sleeves, etc, get tangled, oh well, so do sheets. Just set timer for 1/2 the time you want, re-arrange or untangle, then wash for the second half of the overall time. I often do a 2 minute wash, rearrange the load and let it soak while I finsh the softener in the other tub, then 2 more minutes of wash. It's kind of a constant process in the wastub and spinner and your dryer, very different than what you're used to, separate batch by batch. Also, I used to worry that 4 minutes was so short from the average automatic machine with 8-10-15 minute wash: Well, with splitting the washload into 2 spin loads and re-arranging each spin load between rinses, and adding softener, etc, you can end up with wash load soaking another 3 or 5 minutes, so it sort of evens out to a longer genuine time in the water, clothes come out clean! If something has soaked and scum has risen to the top of the wash load, kick it on for 1/2 minute, what the heck, then take it out and into the spinner. Depending on what you washed and dirt amounts, you can quickly drain out the wash side and refill fresh. Oftentimes, adding a small amount more detergent after every 2 loads does the trick for me. Whites, bleaching: Save all your whites til the end. Either add bleach to existing water for this very final wash, or brand new hot water and soap and bleach, your choice. Then I wash 2 minutes, let sit for a good half hour or so while I catch up with the dryer. then 4 minutes agitation, and lots of spinrinses and softener, then drain all water out of the entire machine, yucky clorox down the drain. With a bit of practice, you'll find you get 5 times more clothes done in an hour than any automatic, but that entire hour is hands on for sure, that's the difference. Different brands have some various different features, but regardless of knobs and buttons, it's very hands on from wash to spinback into washer, to spinrinse down the drain, add softener, bleach, etc. Forget what you know of automatics, and realize you have an excellent machine that you can fine-tune to each type of material, each dirtiness, each small batch, etc. You can stop and start either side of the machine, take any few items out you don't want washing for 15 minutes, leave in dirtier items while you add new dirty clothes. Every aspect is decided by you, not by pushbuttons on some front loaded big-batch modern thing. Ehttp://www. Also, your floor is gonna get wetter than hell, the final bit of "washday" can be a quick mopping to give you the weekly clean kitchen floor! Umm, that enough typing, eh? either Ive had too much coffee or I really enjoy my Twin Tub. Maybe both.

Post# 490895 , Reply# 5 1/23/2011 at 00:15 (4,842 days old) by bradross (New Westminster, BC., Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *re. Akronman's instructions...* I was going to put in my "2 cents worth" but Chris-ronhic and Mark-akronman have covered everything! (wow - those could be perfect instruction manuals!) I have both a Hoover and a Speed Queen twin-tub. I absolutely LOOOOOVE the Speed Queen for two reasons - it has a traditional-type agitator that does an incredible cleaning job, and also it has the continuous spray rinse feature. Probably the biggest frustration you will have with an "impeller" type machine, will be the tangling of items, like long-sleeved shirts, but as Mark mentioned, you just have to deal with it. My suggestion will be to keep your eye open for an agitator type machine, and enjoy the one you have now for the meantime.

Post# 490940 , Reply# 6 1/23/2011 at 09:23 (4,841 days old) by MikeKLondon (London)
Checkrate/Likes *Options* HI You have not said why it has to be a twin tub. If its pure cost per load it may not be your best option if you don't have unlimited free hot water. Have you looked at an H-axis twin? In the UK AEG made one the wash tub washed - rinsed automatic but did not spin you just transfered the load into the spinner that was as good as any TT spin. i do remember twin- tub washers as a kid and it was hard work. The spray rinse is OK as a intrim but the only way to rinse so that it would be safe for baby dippers is A. Pre wash by hand and soak in BIO powder B. Fill wash tub with hand hot water and NON BIO powder C. The wash water must then be at boiling ( not sure if US TT's have a heater built in ? ) E. The min wash time must be 3 Mins or more to Kill off any bac's & BIO enzine D. Spin out the suds and retune to wash tub if the water is OK for a 2nd load F. Hand rinse in a bowl of hand hot water to remove and last dirt ect. G. turn on cold tap and hand rinse in the blow with the water overflowing H. Spin I. Spray rinse now J. Baby / Elderly persons clothing / Bedding / Dippers ect. should now be given a deep rinse in warm water in the wash tub K. Final 4 minute spin L. Dry M. Hot Iron N. Air That 11 process to the point of the final spin for a safe wash so it may be just to much with 3 small ones to care for. Let us know more and we may be able to suggest more options. If you have the time the above will give you a perfect wash but its NOT a cheap option it uses gallons of both hot and cold water. Good Luck and I wish you and your family well

Post# 491142 , Reply# 7 1/23/2011 at 22:32 (4,841 days old) by summerluvin_ca ()
Checkrate/Likes Thanks for all the wonderful information! I still don't "own" the twin tub yet, but very soon I am hoping to get it delivered by the seller. I am looking at the twin tubs for a few reasons though. I will definately have access to unlimited water useage being in a larger building. The benefit of reusing the wash water (when washing just clothing) is a bonus and the fact that the centrifugal spinner is amazing I should be able to hang dry with minimal visits to the buildings laundry facilities to use their machines. For the diapers, I will be washing with Eco Nuts. They are a biologically safe alternative (which i've also started to use for our regular wash) and they are also anti microbial. I shouldn't have to soak the diapers for long at all and they actually do rinse clean with just one rinse. North American TT do not have a heater because IIRC ours runs on 110v. and that would just be too demanding. I use regular hot water in the wash right now and haven't had any problems with stink,ammonia or buildup.Knock on wood...i've been lucky. I also don't use fabric softener because it can leave a residue in the machine which in turn rests on the diapers basically repelling the urine. I try not to use chlorine bleach, but have opted for the oxi bleach when it is needed. I'm not too familiar with many other washer options on the market right now, and the TT was kind of nostalgic as well. It's small enough that I can keep it in a smaller kitchen and have it out of the way. I've read reviews on some of the portable washers on the market right now and they have been quite lackluster. Even though the TT is more hands on, I think i can get more done in the same amount of time that it would take me to do 3 or 4 loads in my regular machine. If anyone has any recommendations for portable washers that I may be able to search and find, I'm all ears. LOL much thanks again!

Post# 491176 , Reply# 8 1/24/2011 at 02:39 (4,841 days old) by MikeKLondon (London)
Checkrate/Likes Interesting about the Eco nuts I must try them and I do agree about the fabric conditioner sound like the TT may work well for you i agree about the spin as well I going to look out for a Miele or AEG spinner myself I wash a lot of mats and dog beds and its very hard to balance them well to get a good 1600 rpm spin in the Miele washer. Let us know how you getting on with your TT when you get it Good luck