Speed Queen LWS42NW Questions & Answers

Hi Stephen D, I can see that you are a South African Speed Queen user and I am unsure if they have the same models as we do in Australia but our Touch control model is not designed for fabric softener use on the " Normal Eco " cycle as it does not have a deep rinse nor is designed for use on the other cycles when using the small wash option as there is insufficient water in the machine to flush the dispenser. Contact the SA Speed Queen distributor on +27 (0)11 553 3700 and they should be able to assist.

Are we talking about a top or front loader. If it is a top loader, the fabric softener dispenser is passive and it’s contents dispense once it stops spinning just before the deep rinse. One should really not be using fabric softener anyway. However, as already discussed, if using the eco cycle the machine only uses a spray, not a deep rinse and, thus, fabric softener should never be used. This is all covered in the user manual.

Hi Diane B, If you shake the wash tub and hear what sound like water what you are hearing is the fluid in the balance ring on the top of the wash bowl. This is normal and is there to help with out of balance loads.

Thank You!

Sorry, can't help as I don't use fabric softener.

Any of the quality product from your favourite supermarket is ok providing you use as little as possible and dilute it with water up to the fill line on the dispenser.

I am having the same issue. Did you ever get this resolved?

Hi Chelsie & Melissa, The detergent gets put in the bottom of the wash bowl before the clothes. Could you be putting it the fabric softener dispenser in the top of the agitator>

I’m having the same problem. At the end of the cycle I remove the clothes and there’s liquid detergent in the bottom of the drum.

I’ve been using Speed Queen top loader for over 30 years and have never had any detergent residue on my clothes after a completed wash cycle. As soon as the tub fills with the correct amount of water commensurate with the size of the wash load the detergent will dissolve as soon as agitation begins, especially if it is a liquid detergent. Some powders may not dissolve well in cold water, however. The only explanation I can come up with is that an incorrect water level, I.e. not enough water, is selected for the size of the load. In top loaders clothes need to be suspended in the water, i.e. completely covered not half submerged, and able to circulate freely during agitation. Read your user manual pls. SQ washers, when used correctly, will do an outstanding job.

Hi Vonda, The fabric softener dispenser need to be cleaned regularly and the hole in the centre of the agitator need to cleaned and checked. This link should shows you how. external link 

Thank you for responding, I had figured out what needed to be done, I also got a pitcher of hot water and poured into the center cone/agitator as it looked pretty gummy down in there, and it’s working great again no more fabric softener stains and I know now to do this maintenance often Thank you

Yes, it is necessary to periodically pull the fabric softener dispenser off the the agitator and clean out the inside of the agitator. I usually do that when I’ve filled the tub to the maximum water level, at the start of a wash cycle. I use a long bottle brush to brush the inside of the agitator clean. Do this every few months and there should never be build-up of residue. The fabric softener dispenser separates into three parts and can go into the dishwasher or be cleaned under running water.

Because there is not enough water to dilute it during the rinse. Either because you are using the eco cycle, which only does spray rinses, or you are not selecting the right water level for the load - not enough water. Read the instruction manual.

I don't use fabric softener, but I assume it would go in the Liquid Bleach dispenser.

Hi Shahnaz, the fabric softener dispenser is in the centre of the agitator.

It's not

Mine is doing the same thing. Came looking for answers

After some experimenting I found you can only use a very small amount of softener and then it works fine

Same issue.

Hi there, They are TR but they are not what not the same as what you can see on the US website, please refer to Australian website external link  The models available in Aus are still the classic design with the full metal gearbox with independent agitator action.

Hi Michael M, The LWS42NW was commercial model and is now discontinued, its replacement is the LWNA62. Neither of these models had a HE (High Efficiency) cycle option. Our home range model AWNA62 does have a HE washes cycle option; this cycle is designed only to save water (approx..60 litres) however it does use more time & electricity.

Solenoids can be replaced. If your machine is still under warranty call SQ and get them to send out a technician.

Fill the tub to the lowest water level with hottest water available from your hot water system; not boiling though. Let it stand for a few minutes, pump out the water, then grasp the agitator with both hands and pull it upwards; perhaps wrap a dish towel or cloth around the agitator to get a better grip.

Hi Terry, Fabric softener on the wash at the end of the wash can be caused by any 1 of 3 operational issues. Insufficient water in the bowl- as per the user guide fabric softener should not be used with water levels below medium. The machine is being used on the High Efficiency cycle - as per the used guide - fabric softener should not be used on HE cycle as there is no deep rinse to distribute the softener to the wash. Or the softener dispenser is clogged and the softener is being dispensed to slowly and coming out during the final spin. I hope this helps.

Hello there, The fabric softener dispenser releases the softener automatically when the machine stop spinning at the end of the spray spin rinse.

Thank you

Hello there, White spots on the wash are either undissolved detergent or fabric softener. As per the instruction manual the detergent is to put in to the bottom of the wash tub before the clothes allowing it to be drawn into the outer bowl to be dissolved away from the clothes. If you put the detergent on top of the clothes some of it may not dissolve and can cause white spots. Fabric softened can also cause whit spots if the dispense is partially blocked and the softener is being dispensed during the spin cycle rather than the rinse cycle. White spots can also be caused by a build up of fabric softener on the outer bowl or under the agitator from overdosing and this build up dislodging during the wash causing whitish grey marks on the wash.

I sometimes have spots on parts of my washing as well and have discovered it is from the imprint of the wash bowl. As I don't use fabric softener and fully dissolve the laundry powder prior to washing I assume it may be from using too much powder, even though I use less than recommended. I find the gentle cycle doesn't spin as dry as the normal cycle and have noticed the circular bowl imprint at times when using this cycle.

Having the holes imprint on your clothes during spin happens in every washer, especially those that spin in excess of 1000 rpm. When you take out your clothes shake them before you hang them up and the imprints will disappear.

Hi Debbie, If there is any fabric softener left in the dispenser left in would normally mean that its viscosity is to thick and you could be using to much. We recommend that about half of what they recommend on the pack will be enough to do what it is meant to do and as per the instruction manual top up with warm water.

Debbie, I found that if I dilute my fabric doftener with some water before putting it in the dispenser, it alleviates the problem.

Hi Klayton, If your machine has lid lock it is a US model, this is and Australian review site and we have no tech information on the US only machines. You can try contacting Speed Queen in Ripon Wisconsin.

Hi Patricia, All of the Speed Queen home range have a "rinse & spin" only option please refer to your user guide. If you do not have the user guide one can be downloaded from external link  or call 1300washer and one can be posted to you.

Hi Jodie N, Go to this YouTube link and it shows you how to go about cleaning the fabric softener dispenser. external link  regards Speed Queen

I have the same issue. The dispenser WILL NOT come apart. Watching the video does not cause the dispenser to separate. Please give more practical, detailed and sound advice.

Hi Craige I have watched this video but I can not get the dispenser to come apart at the bottom when it says to squeeze the bottom ....it won’t budge!

Hi Jodie, It should detach with a solid knock to the side as if you slapping something you didn't like. Otherwise contact 1300washer for assistance.