@plllog -- My sympathies, I have similar friends, ones who expect me to know all about finding old-school topload washers as well as which ones would make them happy while still allowing them to use non-HE detergents if either are available.

Yes there are HE powders. One thing I learned -- from when I've been unable to dodge helping :>) --- is that detergent manufacturers all forbid using non-HE detergent in a current HE washer. Here's a quote I found from P&G (Tide) the last time somebody expected me to know about non-HE detergents:

"We have two types of detergents, regular and HE. Our HE Detergent will have the HE logo on it. Otherwise it is the regular detergent. HE detergent is low sudsing and can be used in HE and traditional washers. Our regular detergent should not be used in an HE machine. If you have any questions, or if we can help you further, please give us a call at (800) 879-8433."

Apparently, "original" (as opposed to "regular) in a Tide detergent name refers to scent rather than the detergent formula.

That said, HE powders are still available for those who prefer powders although numbers of postings here and at automaticwasher complain about the intermittent difficulty in finding their favored powders in stock at local stores and also about finding versions being discontinued.

As for washers, have you or your friend checked out this site: https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-INDEX_DISPLAY.cgi?DLX ? -

That's the site I usually send folks to and tell them search for discussions about old vs new school toploaders, detergents, etc. It has numbers of very detailed recent threads from actual users and washer enthusiasts about direct experience with specific washer models including the SQ TC5 model and the competing Maytag "commercial" models.

I'm also recalling but not finding a recent thread or two there on how decently Whirlpool's BoL agitator models work. WP also markets the same models under its Amana and Roper brands.

Dadoes, who posts here regularly is also a member at AutomaticWasher and he may be able to point you to specific recent threads as well has sharing knowledge on repairs. Mention of his name may bring this thread to his attention.

Well, the repairmen do know...

JWVideo, thanks for the sympathy and the link. I think I found answers to all my questions about SQ there!

If your friend doesn't care about a new machine, and wants to keep it simple, there are lots of 80's and 90's working Whirlpools on Craigslist and Marketplace. Inglis, Roper, Kenmore from that era, and Estate are all essentially the same machine with a different looking control panel, just like Mercurys were just souped-up Fords.

Also, I believe most parts are still available either new or second hand, and these machines were simple to repair. Unless his problem is a rusted tub, or something major, his machine is probably repairable at a reasonable cost for someone who is mechanically enclined. Usually it's the pump, the fill solenoid valve or the lid switch that goes bad on these units.

CR top-rated agitator washer and matching electric dryer.

• LG WT8405CW agitator washer (Home Depot, Best Buy, LG)*
• LG DLE8400WE electric dryer (Home Depot, Best Buy, LG)

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*According to the user guide, the washer has a dedicated dispenser for powder detergent

The SQ you mentioned is the only 'good' model. SQ brought it back when the public and internet reacted to those other new models. It's $1k new. But you can find it used for a lot less. As mentioned above, the least expensive option is to find and buy an old used Whirlpool. Just like the one he had. My friend did this using Facebook Marketplace. Speed Queen Washer/Electric Dryer - appliances - by owner - sale - craigslist

He should buy a used one if he wants old tech. Otherwise all the models will have electronics, regardless of whether they have knobs and dials.

A 1980s Whirlpool could be of two different mechanical designs depending on exactly when in the 1980s it was produced. The model and serial numbers reveal all.

The belt-drive design produced from the late 1940s until 1986/7, many parts are long-gone other than what may be found on eBay or from long-time servicers who may still have some stashed.

The direct-drive design produced from late 1981 through 2012, some parts are still produced and can be easily found, some discontinued or in-process but can be found, some are unavailable. Depends what's needed. No details are provided on the symptoms of the failure, could be something simple like a lid switch or motor coupler.

The clues to electronics are 1) presence of a Start/Pause/Cancel button separate from the cycle selector; 2) the cycle selector if a rotary knob doesn't have an Off position and doesn't progress from start to finish through an identified sequence of Wash/Rinse/Spin for each of the available selections, and doesn't exhibit the ratcheting noise of internal timing gears when turned; 3) cycle progress lights.

Many people assume that the Speed Queen models with knobs aren't electronic. False. ALL current Speed Queen washers have a selection/machine control board in the console and a separate motor control board in the base.

HE labeling and liquid vs. powder products isn't a magical thing. Some detergents labeled for HE usage produce considerable suds when dosed sufficiently for toploaders.

Assuming the fellow's washer is unrepairable, there's no need to replace the dryer with it unless it's beat-up-worn-to-h3ll and decrepit. Dryers are mechanically simple, last longer than washers, and are simpler to repair. WP still produces essentially the same two dryer designs, one from the 1960s (top-filter) and another dating to the 1980s (front-filter).

Thanks, everybody! So, this laundry set is well used and a particularly ugly shade of ... urine? Being an unfussy guy concerning housekeeping, the owner didn't care. I don't live close by and haven't seen the issue, but it seems there's something wrong with the spin/drain. My first reaction was that he should call the appliance repair because it doesn't sound like a catastrophic failure, and more like something stuck somewhere or a transmission issue or something, but when I mentioned repair he said no. I don't know if this is a case of finally an excuse to get new machines, or what.

Many thanks, Dadoes, for all the information. Maybe repair isn't possible anyway. Thanks for confirming that SQ is electronic, and detailing what the signs are. I'm going to be very careful about the phrasing, so he doesn't get all cranky at me. :) It really sounds like the SQ is the way to go. Also thanks for the details about the detergent. It was already the 21st C. when he bought the house and the machines, but he ma have to join us in the present, even if he yells about it along the way...

ETA--I've given him the info I've learned in a way he could understand it and he didn't yell. He did say he wanted to use the four new boxes of detergent he just bought. I tried to explain better about why that wasn't a good idea, and he remembered when he was a kid and someone put too much Woolite in a washer and it bubbled up all over the place. Then I explained about household products being welcomed at food pantries and it's not like he had to throw it away. He said he didn't know where. I said I do. This presupposes he can find the HE powder in a form he finds acceptable, but at least he's open to the idea of changing. And he even said that if he didn't find it he supposed he'd be willing to "use the pellets" which I think means pods. Phew!

Plllog, is he certain his supply of powder detergent is not HE? I'm a Tide Powder user and I don't think I've seen a box of any brand powder that is not HE in a few years now.

If he will just check his loads until he gets used to the lesser amount of detergent required, which typically is less than the manufacturer's suggestions on the box. I did bookkeeping for an appliance store a lifetime ago when first married, we had our own in-house Maytag man who taught us laundry 😊 He warned all of us of a certain young age that we'd be wasting product and being harder on our clothing than necessary if we used the full amount printed on the box. I've been a laundry peeker all my life - I LOOK, see that I have only a few suds, adjust what I add accordingly......

I'm just going by what he said he got. Poor, oblivious dear had never heard of HE. He will never be able to cope with peeking and figuring it out. I always adjust my detergent to my load, and seem not to get residue, but I also use good for the fishes simple stuff. It washes out fine without any help or thought. (We have very neutral water. The water district worked really hard to make it so. I don't know about the water where he is, but it's been fine with the old type All powder and old machine.) Anyway, now that he accepts that a new machine is going to require a different amount of new powder, everything is fine. I only told the story about him not knowing where to donate it to illustrate the oblivion. He's actually a very intelligent and educated man. He just won't bother thinking about things he thinks should already be done and settled, like how to do laundry.

" his presupposes he can find the HE powder in a form he finds acceptable, but at least he's open to the idea of changing. "

Baby steps! It's still progress.

A good source for vintage appliances that have been well taken care of is an estate sale. It takes some time if you have it, and I would recommend looking at higher priced properties, but you can find machines in great condition very well priced.

I believe most powder and liquid detergents made in the US are now HE. Stay away from Mexican detergents such as Aeriel powder, Foca powder, and Roma powder. These tend to be high sudsing. Also, are you able to look at his detergent stash? It will say "HE" right on the front.