Help please! Why is my new $$$ SQ Washer/Dryer pilling new clothing?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Tips please! So frustrated! All our new clothes are looking years old. I just spent 2K on a Speed Queen Top Loader Washer & Dryer set which I really wanted to love. All my clothes are pilling, even the brand new clothing (various, quality brands) I am washing, then hang drying. Please tell me what I am doing wrong!

-Washing all clothing inside out on the delicate cycle. Using Gain powder detergent & liquid downy. Occasionally add vinegar + baking soda to loads. Always washing clothing in full loads, loaded to the top (could this be the reason?) Then hang drying all the clothing (until I can figure out what is causing the pilling). Then after they are all dry, I fluff them in "no heat" & a dryer sheet for about 5-10 minutes to get the wrinkles out. (Is that causing pilling??) Also we have soft water if that makes a difference.

Could the powder detergent be the problem?? Should I get laundry bags and wash everything in a separate laundry bag (this would take forever though to do a load)?? Should I go out and buy another brand washer/dryer?? If so, do I go with a side loader or top loader?? I am nervous about spending so much again & another set doing the same exact thing.

**I had an LG Tromm HE Front Loader Washer/Dryer set previous to this. It was gentle on my clothing but the washer died after 3 yrs & was cheaper to replace than to fix. Only thing I did differently was I used HE liquid soap.

Featured Answer

georgect

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Sounds like it may be over loaded.

They say (typical top loader) to load clothes loosely to the top row of drain holes.

I would load lower than that so clothes move more freely (a few rows of holes).

How much baking soda are you using? It may be causing more abrasion.

The detergent you're using should be fine.

I would NOT use a laundry bag (except for tiny or delicate items).

Try Heavy Duty or Permanent Press cycle (with plenty of water) to flex fabrics.

I would load less than this...

Clothes should move freely like this...

Here's an example of free moving clothes in a top loader (this is from GE).

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Comments (6)

dadoes
9 years ago
"Loaded to the top" ... depends on what exactly that means. Could be you're overloading, particularly if delicate-type items are involved. The more contact items have with each other during agitation, the more likely friction/pilling is to occur.

Have you checked the load after agitation begins to confirm there's enough water? I know the machine stops agitation when the lid is opened but you should still be able to get an idea of whether or not the load is packed too tightly.
Mark Middleton thanked dadoes
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sparky823
9 years ago
Odd that powder Gain would do that but just for a test I'd go back to the HE liquid you used before since it worked well for you. See then if you still pill. Is your current Gain HE?
Mark Middleton thanked sparky823
dadoes
9 years ago
The GE above is slightly underloaded for a "normal"-type fabric load, IMO. That much looseness is appropriate, however, for a "handwash"-type load.
Mark Middleton thanked dadoes
magothyrivergirl
9 years ago
I've had a new SQ TL set for about 1 month and love it. I do not have soft water, but I did for many years in my previous home. Do you have a water conditioner? I ask, because when ours needed attention, it affected rinsing soap/detergent out of everything.

I would suggest that you only wash with 1 HE detergent, skip all the other products, use the appropriate water temp and cycle for the sorted clothes and detergent - don't wash jeans with nice delicate items for instance - and use the correct level of water. I would do a second rinse since you have soft water. I love the small and medium levels. I only use delicate cycle for nice blouses, tanks, etc. and usually a small load. The delicate cycle is too gentle to get your everyday clothes clean. All that said, please use the dryer - no dryer sheets - and save your time and sanity, since the dryer isn't the source of the problem. I really like the nearly dry cycle choice for alot of my clothing. Using Downey and dryer sheets is adding a layer of 'stuff' on your clothes you don't need - just my personal opinion.
Mark Middleton thanked magothyrivergirl
Mark Middleton
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks so much everyone! So many great tips I am trying from now on!

dadoes - Yes, it sounds like I am probably not using enough water compared to the number of clothing I put in. I will def. try now using more water, less clothing per load. Great point! Thanks!

georgect - I am using 1/2 cup baking soda to every 1 cup vinegar, usually only as needed w/kids clothing. Thanks for those video's!

sparky - No, I have been using the old fashioned Gain powdered detergent, not HE. It did not occur to me to switch back to HE. I will now though. Thank you!

magothyrivergirl - I am so glad to hear you love your SQ. I would much rather this be user error vs. my SQ. Yes, we do have the entire water conditioner system. I will def. try the HE soap though & will try doing a 2nd rinse as you suggested. I'll try eliminating the downy & dryer sheets too.

Thanks again everyone! You all saved my sanity (could not figure out why I was ruining all our new & good clothing!) I'll report back in about a month and let you all know what worked best!