Our commercial machines work a lot like standard home washers and dryers. Some of the fundamentals when using are machines are::

Now, for more details:

Sorting: Separate light and dark things. It also helps to keep heavy clothes like sweats and jeans separate from light-weight synthetics. Very delicate things, like stockings and underwear, should be washed separately. The same with red-colored articles of clothing - they tend to run. You'll notice there's a special setting on your washer for delicates; use it to avoid your machine becoming jammed, unbalanced, or damaging your fine washables.

Loading: Your clothes should be completely covered with water and no higher than the top of the agitator vanes. There is no benefit to overloading a washer. Too big a load means your clothes don't get clean and you risk the possibility of damaging the machine, creating an inconvenience for your fellow residents. Heavy things like towels and sweats can cause a machine to go off balance. In such a case, just lift the lid, redistribute your clothes, and then continue washing. The same goes for dryers. One wash load equals one dryer load.

REFERENCE GUIDE FOR BASIC MACHINE SETTINGS

Cycles: Pick the right wash cycle and water temperature following the "care instructions" label that's sewn into most pants, shirts, and sweaters. Because your management has chosen Speed Queen washers and dryers for your laundry room, you have three options each for wash cycle and water temperature. The touchpad on your Speed Queen washer displays the cycle clearly. The "Normal" cycle plus "Hot" or "Warm" water is a good choice for soiled and heavier clothing or non delicate whites. The "Normal" cycle plus "Cold" water is best for dark clothes that are quite soiled but also might "run" - a situation that arises when dye in one piece of clothing discolors another while in the wash.

The "Permanent Press" cycle and "Warm" in "Cold" is a good choice for pants, skirts, shirts, and 100% cotton clothing that is specially treated against wrinkling. Finally, "Delicates" are usually best washed at the "Warm" or "Cold" setting. Heavy towels and sweats should be washed on the "Normal" setting, with warm or cold water. The touchpad display on your Speed Queen washer makes it easy to select for fabric type and wash water temperature. And don't forget to distribute the load evenly!

Got a bad stain? Click here for a guide!

Starting the Washer: Whichever selection you decide is right for you, press down firmly (but not too hard) on the panel area of your washing machine until you hear a "beep" and a small red light goes on beside your selection(s). Choosing your wash cycle and temperature in this way will help ensure your clothes get cleaner and look better. Also, remember to close the lid, your washer won't start unless you do. Add the coins - the display will count down for you.

Detergents And Fabric Softeners:  Remember to use the volume-per-load recommended on the soap bottle on box (Liquids do dissolve more easily than powder, so if you use the latter, let the machine fill with water for a while.) Use soap in moderate amounts and you lessen the chemical volume in the waste water generated by laundry use. You also diminish the chances of a drain clogging and putting one or more machines out of action. And just a word about fabric softener; it's very effective but it can stain and discolor fabric if not handled properly. Add on the rinse cycle (The L.E.D.) display on your washer will tell you when).

Add bleach to the washer only when it's completely full.

Drying: Dryer touchpad settings are easy to understand. "Normal" means hot and is the best all around setting for drying large loads, "Permanent Press" means moderate, and "Delicates" means low."Fluff" is excellent for delicate fabrics and fine washables. Just as on your Speed Queen washing machine, you have fabric and temperature options that allow you the best possible results for all your different kinds of clothes. And don't forget to press the "Start" button whenever you open the dryer door and wish to restart the machine.

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