This is an early 50's, probably 1952 or maybe 1953 (??) Westinghouse "commercial", bolt down, coin-operated washing machine that belongs to a friend in Arizona.
And notice that it only tumbles in one direction. Not many of them tumbled in both directions back then. It is amazing that such machines still exist, let alone work. And they probably cleaned better in some instances than today's machines. Things were much simpler back then. Very interesting!
These videos prove that great appliances used to made here in America, absolutely love these things, I miss having something that I could fix to resell and give the customer great service for a long time, not this foreign junk available now.
It's not that people think they're the greatest. It's that Westinghouse, and later White Westinghouse (under White Consolidated Industries) were the only maker of residential front loader washers. Though Phil Collins Bending also made front loaders, washers only seemed to be for the commercial laundromat market, whereas the washer/dryer combos were made for the residential market. It was difficult to get people back then to go with front loader washers, even as they used plenty of water. It wouldn't be until the 80's White Westinghouse models, that dual tumbling would be introduced.
When I watched my parents use these in the early 60s, they cost a dime...no more than one. I was about 6 or 7 last time I saw one used, I think (that would have been about 1961 or 62)...the laundromat had rows of these things, and these huge (to me) centrifuges that cost an nickle to drive your clothes even more. Then off to the 5¢ dryers that would hold about 5 loads of clothes at once.
I think larger than that. Front loaders can handle larger loads than they appear to, because the load is being constantly exposed to the detergent solution by the tumble action.
I remember one of the laundromats I went to when I was a kid specifically had nothing else but these washers in them. I know it took dimes, but how many, I can't remember.
Yes it's worth saving, unless it's a big rusted mess. It only has some value to someone who wants one, a collector for example. You will not be able to retire on what you sell it for, however.
My dorm in Chicago had a few of these. Used to tie dress shirt sleeves in knots! Jeans and slacks, too. I didn't like the amount of water it used for rinsing so I'd shoot a hose into the filler opening till I felt it had enough.
Never have I seen one of such Commercial Washer before. I would really like to have one, Just imagine what I can get done with such a beauty? built to last and last it did. Wish they can make them and I can get one to use in home. That Giant barrel is just my kinda thing too. Thanks for the Video.
So, this machine was designed without a door interlock switch? Or did you jump it out? Seems like it would get messy real fast if you can open the door while water is sloshing around without the machine shutting off.
It looks as though it really cleans the hell out of the laundry. A good rigorous turnover. My front loader turns much slower it does hold a huge load however. It would be fun to own something like this one though
The Laundromat that we went to, these machines took one dime. There was an extractor that you could put them in and it was a nickel, then the dryers were a nickel or a dime, depending on how long you wanted them to run. I think a dime would run them about half an hour or so. Not sure on that one, though.
When I was a kid, our neighborhood laundromat had this type of Westinghouse coin-operated washer. It was the early 1960's and the washers were a slightly newer model, but they had that same chute above the door. It was easy to use too much detergent - when that happened, the suds would dramatically overflow out of the chute and pour down the front of the machine. An attendant would sometimes come running over and pour Downey into the chute, which would quell the avalanche of suds. One day, free samples of Tide were sent out to everyone, so we collected some and took them to the laundromat. If we poured a few boxes of powdered detergent into the washers and brushed it through the holes in the wash drums*, the next people to use the machines wouldn't see all the extra soap. Then, after their wash cycle started.... * You could use the same technique with powdered Rit dye (but they didn't give out free samples of that, so we didn't do it very often).
this washer looks like a concrete mixer xD
No safety switch meant, at that time, people had enough brains to know, you don't open the door when it's washing :-))
why?
The door latch and hinge look like something off a ship with water tight doors, built to last a lifetime.
And notice that it only tumbles in one direction. Not many of them tumbled in both directions back then. It is amazing that such machines still exist, let alone work. And they probably cleaned better in some instances than today's machines. Things were much simpler back then.
Very interesting!
Why do I find these videos fascinating? Seriously I cannot stop myself from watching them. I know I'm a spazz but I just think they are neat.
These videos prove that great appliances used to made here in America, absolutely love these things, I miss having something that I could fix to resell and give the customer great service for a long time, not this foreign junk available now.
Is the music really necessary? It's kind of annoying. Maybe a different song, or turn it down a couple notches?
And people think the modern front loading machines are the latest, greatest thing since sliced bread.
The technology has existed almost since the washing machines came into homes.
Yes,and these machines lasted a lot longer too.
It's not that people think they're the greatest. It's that Westinghouse, and later White Westinghouse (under White Consolidated Industries) were the only maker of residential front loader washers. Though Phil Collins Bending also made front loaders, washers only seemed to be for the commercial laundromat market, whereas the washer/dryer combos were made for the residential market. It was difficult to get people back then to go with front loader washers, even as they used plenty of water. It wouldn't be until the 80's White Westinghouse models, that dual tumbling would be introduced.
Actually the first automatic washer was a front load washer built by Bendix in 1938.
When I watched my parents use these in the early 60s, they cost a dime...no more than one. I was about 6 or 7 last time I saw one used, I think (that would have been about 1961 or 62)...the laundromat had rows of these things, and these huge (to me) centrifuges that cost an nickle to drive your clothes even more. Then off to the 5¢ dryers that would hold about 5 loads of clothes at once.
I think larger than that. Front loaders can handle larger loads than they appear to, because the load is being constantly exposed to the detergent solution by the tumble action.
Had to use one of these in college back in the dark ages. Used to tangle shirtsleeves into hard knots! I hated it!
This may even be from the late 1940's, as one like this was featured in Consumer Reports magazine in 1950.
That’s a pretty weird but interesting washing machine
I remember one of the laundromats I went to when I was a kid specifically had nothing else but these washers in them. I know it took dimes, but how many, I can't remember.
does it even have a temperature switch?
Just found one of these in the basement of a 1920 sorority house. Is it worth saving? Any potential value?
Yes it's worth saving, unless it's a big rusted mess. It only has some value to someone who wants one, a collector for example. You will not be able to retire on what you sell it for, however.
My dorm in Chicago had a few of these. Used to tie dress shirt sleeves in knots! Jeans and slacks, too. I didn't like the amount of water it used for rinsing so I'd shoot a hose into the filler opening till I felt it had enough.
Never have I seen one of such Commercial Washer before. I would really like to have one, Just imagine what I can get done with such a beauty? built to last and last it did. Wish they can make them and I can get one to use in home. That Giant barrel is just my kinda thing too. Thanks for the Video.
So, this machine was designed without a door interlock switch? Or did you jump it out?
Seems like it would get messy real fast if you can open the door while water is sloshing around without the machine shutting off.
I love it cause its so small and its blue! does it hold a large load of wash ?
the same washer is in the movie houseboat
It looks as though it really cleans the hell out of the laundry. A good rigorous turnover. My front loader turns much slower it does hold a huge load however. It would be fun to own something like this one though
The Laundromat that we went to, these machines took one dime. There was an extractor that you could put them in and it was a nickel, then the dryers were a nickel or a dime, depending on how long you wanted them to run. I think a dime would run them about half an hour or so. Not sure on that one, though.
When I was a kid, our neighborhood laundromat had this type of Westinghouse coin-operated washer. It was the early 1960's and the washers were a slightly newer model, but they had that same chute above the door. It was easy to use too much detergent - when that happened, the suds would dramatically overflow out of the chute and pour down the front of the machine. An attendant would sometimes come running over and pour Downey into the chute, which would quell the avalanche of suds.
One day, free samples of Tide were sent out to everyone, so we collected some and took them to the laundromat. If we poured a few boxes of powdered detergent into the washers and brushed it through the holes in the wash drums*, the next people to use the machines wouldn't see all the extra soap. Then, after their wash cycle started....
* You could use the same technique with powdered Rit dye (but they didn't give out free samples of that, so we didn't do it very often).
10x for uploading i love these washers they are the best!
What was the front loader to the right of the machine?
Thank you
It looks like a Bendix front loader.
That is one very cool washer!
Wow! Impressive! Where'd you acquire one?
OMG I LOVE this washer! That intensive action MUST beat all others!
Very cool washing machine!
wow it looks pretty neat
Kevin it’s Darren from the UK love the Westinghouse machine did you ever do a video of it in spin ?
Hi Darren, apologies for the delay! No I haven't. I have this washer now, but need to bolt it down before I try doing any laundry in it.
Sweet!
I want one.
super