Is This Washer Overloaded?

I always loosely load my Maytags, never had anything damaged before. Always use the slower agitation with smaller and medium loads, reduces wear and tear on clothing not to mention the machine itself, also used a little less electricity.

People will debate until the end of time long stroke vs shore stroke agitation/transmissions, but it�s a fact that longer stroke agitation tends to pull items down and the wash action is brisk without being too aggressive, as long as the machine is loaded correctly.

qsd-dan mentioned a few times in the archives his grandparents had a Maytag 806 set from the late 1960�s which washed clothing from the 60�s and 70�s era which his grandfather wore up until 2001. Believe he mentioned he even has towels that were washed in nothing but long stroke Maytags for decades and are still around, even some clothes from the 1990�s as well.

Some people can debate long stoke vs short stroke agitation, but if you have items that were washed in nothing but long stroke machines for literal decades, just proof that long stroke agitation is more gentle.


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Post# 1227403 3/27/2025 at 03:56 by Chetlaham (United States)
Checkrate/Likes I can't make up my mind regarding this video. There is turn-over on one hand, on the other hand said turn over seems kind of slow. Thoughts?

Post# 1227416 , Reply# 1 3/27/2025 at 07:41 by qsd-dan (West)
Checkrate/Likes 3 It's in my opinion. This is how fabrics get damaged, especially in these machines.

Post# 1227425 , Reply# 2 3/27/2025 at 10:21 by Maytag85 (Sean A806)
Checkrate/Likes 2 I always loosely load my Maytags, never had anything damaged before. Always use the slower agitation with smaller and medium loads, reduces wear and tear on clothing not to mention the machine itself, also used a little less electricity. People will debate until the end of time long stroke vs shore stroke agitation/transmissions, but it�s a fact that longer stroke agitation tends to pull items down and the wash action is brisk without being too aggressive, as long as the machine is loaded correctly. qsd-dan mentioned a few times in the archives his grandparents had a Maytag 806 set from the late 1960�s which washed clothing from the 60�s and 70�s era which his grandfather wore up until 2001. Believe he mentioned he even has towels that were washed in nothing but long stroke Maytags for decades and are still around, even some clothes from the 1990�s as well. Some people can debate long stoke vs short stroke agitation, but if you have items that were washed in nothing but long stroke machines for literal decades, just proof that long stroke agitation is more gentle.

Post# 1227426 , Reply# 3 3/27/2025 at 10:25 by DADoES (TX,�U.S. of A.)
Checkrate/Likes 1 � It's good.� You all think a RotoSwirl or Surgilator is less agressive?� Or RotoFlex?� Kenmore had some Lady Kenmores with RotoFlex reduce to low speed toward the end of the wash period, with a Heavy Duty option button to override it to stay on high.

Post# 1227431 , Reply# 4 3/27/2025 at 11:55 by Agiflow (Toms River)
Checkrate/Likes 1 The invention of this agitator is what encouraged people to overload their machines or push it to the max I believe. I don't know what people have against clothes floating freely through the water. Why does every ounce of water have to be taken up by an article of clothing? As most of you know here, and you know very well that for top load agitator washers to clean effectively, you need freedom for articles to circulate. Not be forced down by an auger. IMO no long stroke agitator washer needs a corkscrew. I personally don't care what CU had to say about it.

Post# 1227440 , Reply# 5 3/27/2025 at 13:51 by Chetlaham (United States)
Checkrate/Likes Pat I think (guessing) it has something to do with people waiting for their laundry to pile up and then doing everything in a single load when it all finally piles up or their isn't enough of something like towels. This behavior lead consumers to buy washers with ever increasing capacity which sadly did away with many great designs and what helped do Maytag in. Not to brag or insinuate superiority but I find such joy in sorting clothes by color, type, tag ect and washing them in individual loads with their own cycle and detergent. I can't picture myself washing mixed items in a single load.

Post# 1227451 , Reply# 6 3/27/2025 at 15:54 by Agiflow (Toms River)
Checkrate/Likes I will sort to a point. I'll never mix my whites with darks. I wash my pants with my regular clothes and oftentimes throwing a towel or two because I usually don't let the towels build up for a separate load with these older washers. The youngest of them being 20 years old. I prefer to use powder detergent to get the water viscous. Most of my loads are washed in warm or hot water. Warm rinsing during the winter and cold in the warmer months. Most of my clothes are older anyway and I probably haven't gone clothes shopping in quite a while now. I don't wear anything out too much except for those Gold toe socks. They're supposed to be great socks but I always get holes in the heels. My whites always get tide powder or Gain powder that I'm using now with a heavy dose of bleach. Use liquid tide for my other laundry. I like the liquid, It has a nice smell to it.