Best/favorite detergent for Speed Queen TL washer
pegandken
10 years ago
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triedandtrue
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Speed Queen vs. Fisher Paykel TL
Comments (37)Plumorchard, we considered SQ, as we too like their simplicity of what they have to offer. We settled on Miele as a friend of ours runs an appliance store that sells them. However, we are still awaiting their arrival as they sold-out at the end of the year and they have received our washer, but no dryer, so we are still waiting as we would like both delivered at the same time. We are replacing a Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washer model L03 and dryer model D04; both purchased new in November 1996 as F&P was starting to establish itself in the US. The washer has been flawless except normal wear as the agitator blades there are three) have a relief line in them (I suspect to prevent the drive mechanism from locking should a situation arise where a bundle of clothes binds against the drum and the agitator) and one fatigued to the point that it broke-off with another showing fatigue signs so a new agitator was in order (approximate agitator cost is $215 with shipping, and a DIY project). The other issue was, and still is, the one-piece plastic control fascia cover with all the button selections that cracked once and was replaced, and has since cracked again. I do not like this method of covering buttons as it leads to the same outcome time-and-time again. The dryer did give us issues, the main issue: It would not shut-off when it should after selecting an automatic selection (e.g., cottons, permanent press, etc.) causing the clothes to get super hot. At the time I contacted F&P providing a very detailed description of the issue, and F&P worked directly with me under the condition that I send them back the parts I replaced, I did. All functions worked well for about two years, and then the same problem reoccurred. Again, I contacted F&P and they had a record of me so they sent out the same replacement part only this time the part was made by GE versus F&P, I sent them back the old parts as instructed. All worked well until the five-year mark where the same issue occurred. By this time F&P had become established in the US, and they no longer allowed me to fix it, as they sent a repairman. The same part was replaced, and it too was made by GE; on each occasion the part had changed (as I photographed the parts each time). Since that time the dryer has worked without fail. There is simple workaround if the automatic selection does not work and that is to run the manual timer versus the automatic selection. The plastic fascia control cover also cracked over time, twice. Both the F&P washer and dryer are going to a needy family when our new ones arrive. The reason we chose not to go with F&P again is that I come from a family that will not own GE consumer products (GE's commercial and industrial products are excellent, their consumer products are typically below par). During that time I do recall something on how GE became involved with F&P, but because of all the acquisitions and mergers it is hard to put all the pieces together, but the bottom line is that I want nothing to do with GE consumer products. I can say, without equivocation, that I enjoyed interfacing with F&P as they were very accommodating....See MoreAnother Speed Queen TL member
Comments (22)I only heard about Speed Queen two days ago and I'm already an owner of a TL one. We've had a Frigidaire for about 7 years, we never had any repair issues with it but every now and then my wife and I would see little holes in our clothes. At first we never really questioned it, then we figured well maybe it's bugs, maybe zippers from other clothes, maybe the seatbelt in our car, etc.. etc... Then the problem seemed to go away only to re-appear, maybe there's a loose screw in the washing machine, nope. Again, we kind of forgot about the issue and/or holes were not occurring anymore. Fast forward to present time and we have a newborn in the picture, most of her outfits have holes in them after washing them. That was the last straw, my wife (and I wish we would have done this many years ago) started looking online for "holes in clothes" only to find out that these stupid FL machines have a knack the world over to putting holes into everyone's clothes when thin materials get into the holes of the tub. So we decided we're going TL, I went to the appliance store where we recently bought all our kitchen appliances from and who for the most part only carry European and American solid made appliances (lots of help also over in the appliance forum of GW) and told them we're looking for a TL washer. He showed me the Speed Queen and said you won't be disappointed, I said let me look into it. We looked at a ton of reviews two nights ago and were immediately sold, I purchased it yesterday and we'll have it on Monday. I can't wait for "no more holes". I wish we would have cut our losses years ago as my wife has probably thrown away a decent amount of her work clothes over the years. I'm looking forward to the Speed Queen and hoping that it comes as advertised by all these reviews on here and other sites. These FL washers are BS....See MoreSpeed Queen Front Load AFN50 Washer Review - Long Post
Comments (236)You don't say whether your FP washer is a TL or FL. In my opinion and experience, having to buy ANY washer & dryer these days is a dilemma in itself. If you buy some Top Loaders you can have some control over the water level; otherwise, forget that with any and all Front Loaders. My Speed Queen FL (cost $1800) is built like a tank and works like a charm except for the water level (13.4 gal split between washing and rinsing!???). San Diego Steve will tell you that is plenty and he has even posted that he sold that model and bought the newer one which uses even less total water per wash cycle (11.xx gal I think). He and I are in complete disagreement on how 4 gal of water can rinse a set of King size sheets that remain in a wad. So FL vs TL is the first hurdle. I'm not sure how much water a SQ TL uses, but that would be my first question. My FL spins like crazy. I would have bought an FP but they are not sold anywhere in the Dallas, TX area. Maytag used to make a Centennial model which my daughter in law has and it has a deep rinse which fills the tub, but might no longer be made. Sorry not to have any more helpful information. The Chinese factor would scare me off as well with the FP. Good luck and please post your final decision with the outcome. It will be up to date and may help others....See Moremiele vs speed queen TL
Comments (11)Hmm, I don't admit to idolizing my Miele W4840, but if some owners do, there must be a reason, no? Really can't lump Miele in with other front-loaders, and not just because they're apparently better engineered and constructed. The big differences, for me, are use of the internal heater to actually guarantee wash temperatures, the choice of wash temperatures, and the longer default cycles, with option to make them even longer. Those are big contributors to wash performance. In theory they shouldn't cost anything extra to provide, and any brand could feature them. But short cycle times are a selling point in the US market, and maybe all three features increase the energy usage numbers, and would cause the manufacturer to lose out on tax credits. Commercial laundromat FL's are designed for fast throughput, and probably aren't a fair representation of any home FL. And the kind with lots of water splashing around aren't even HE machines, while all home FL washers are HE as far as I know. Getting back to the OP's question: With the Extended wash option, and maybe some oxygen bleach depending on the load, I find that stains and dirt pretty much disappear. My wife prefers not to use Extended, and uses Shout on food stains and such. Even without Extended, her stuff is overall much cleaner than it was with our old agitator TL. And that's with cheap Sears detergent in the Miele, vs. Tide in the old TL. Yes, you'd have to get used to longer cycles. Assuming the general-use "Custom" cycle and three rinses (Sensitive option), somewhere between 1:20 for non-extended and 1:50 for extended...though those times get adjusted down during the cycle if the load is smaller. And add some time for heating if washing at a temperature above the hot water inlet temperature. However, if you use the maximum spin speed, as we do for most everything, the shorter drying time will make up some of the difference. Four deep rinses are indeed a hard to act to follow. But the Miele W4840 does have setup menu options for water-plus and extra rinse. I haven't used them. Also, Miele recognizes that spins, between wash and first rinse, and between rinses, contribute to rinse performance. So if you use Slow or Medium spin, an additional rinse is tacked on. It also adds a rinse automatically if the wash is too sudsy, or if it can't successfully balance for the spin after the wash cycle. I wouldn't want to go back to an agitator TL after 1+ year with the Miele....See Moretriedandtrue
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