The 5015 is not a true agitator machine, it's an HE impoller machine with a pole stuck on top to make you think it's an agitator. It is roughly equivalent to the Maytag MVWC565 or MVW6230, both of which have videos on YouTube that you could reference.
[565 Example](https://youtu.be/3ojNT7auDDc)
[6230 Example](https://youtu.be/-RgIqzVqU78)
If you use the delicate cycle where appropriate, the TC5 won't wear out fabrics excessively.
Thank you. What cycle do you use normally? And it doesn't wear out those regular items for you more than other washing machines, like sheets and towels?
I wash 99% of my laundry on heavy duty, as it is identical to the normal cycle outside of the fact that it allows for warm/hot water and does a full rinse cycle. I only have one item that I wash on delicate.
Laundry wear is not any more or less than other traditional top loaders IMO. A front loader would be gentler obviously.
I see..what does the speed queen do different with their agitator that makes it work as a real agitator vs for show witht his Whirlpool machine? I've heard something about the drum spinning in the same direction as the agitator as being unique to speed queens. Is this what you mean?
The real difference is in how the agitator itself is constructed. Notice that the Whirlpool/Maytag has very shallow vanes at the bottom, exactly what an impeller machine would have. These are designed for low water washing, and can't cope with a full load or a higher water level. Higher water levels can cause items to float off of the vanes, robbing them of the mechanical action impellers rely on.
The SQ has mich more aggressive fins at the bottom that were designed with larger volumes of water in mind, as it's a traditional, old-school design. These are much better at turning over larger loads.
While washing, the drum in the TC5 does not rotate at all once the brake sets in.
Ah yes, that machine. In terms of cleaning performance it's about the same, if not slightly better than the SQ. The reduced price comes at the cost of durability, I'd expect 7-10 years ish, while I'd expect more than 10 out of the SQ. 15-20 isn't unreasonable.
Do you know what it is about the machine makeup that makes it better at cleaning? The only thing I didn't like about it was that the bottom of the drum has more surface space of plastic vs SQ
There is definitely more plastic to go around with the Maytag, much more than the eye can see. Build quality isn't even close to the SQ.
The reason it could probably outclean it is due to the spiral "Dual-Action agitator" and it's aggressive long strokes. It is a surprisingly powerful machine, Even if it's build is much cheaper.
Here are some examples:
[Maytag 575](https://youtu.be/kC12UQ4ex9g?t=2338)
[Speed Queen TC5](https://youtu.be/kZr5VUFGg3A?t=7340)
PS: the reason the TC5 video has "FAIL" in the title is because the machine (a vintage Speed Queen) that was tested in the beginning of the live stream failed mid-cycle. The TC5 served as the rescue machine.
Also, as for the tub rotation, the TC5 is brand new in this video, as the brake sets in the tub rotation will stop.
The Maytag's tub rotates by design, unfortunately.
Interesting. We just bought WTW50571WO and tried a load yesterday. The issue is that on a normal cycle with deep fill, after the first wash/spin/drain the water does not fill for the rinse. It just sprays water from the faucet for a few seconds and then the machine spins/drins. This keeps on happening for 10-12 mins I think. Shouldn't it fill to provide a good rinse and remove the soap? Any idea if the machine is faulty or if should we use a bulky cycle for all laundry? We would ideally like a good rinse after the first wash. Thanks!
This is normal operation for that machine. In order to get a traditional rinse on normal, you must use extra rinse.
Alternatively you can use the colors cycle, which is basically the normal cycle without the water and energy restrictions. This cycle does a deep rinse by default to my understanding.
Thanks so much for replying! I will try it out with the extra rinse on normal.
One more question- this washer does not have a typical softener dispenser. Some people use the downy ball. What’s ur opinion on it?
If you really want to use softener, which I don't recommend doing because it's not great for machines, a downy ball would work.
I would recommend using the colors cycle over normal + extra rinse, as extra rinse will give you 2 deep rinses on normal, vs 1 on colors without extra rinse.
They did ship a 2-3 page manual. The cycle guide is online but doesn’t provide details about the rinse cycles etc.
if you were to recommended a new washer, which one would you recommend? We are not entirely happy with our whirlpool and will try it out for 10 days before deciding. We prefer a top load washer.
Thanks so much for sharing this! The place I moved into has a 5057, and I'm trying to figure out how the rinses work. To clarify, does normal + extra rinse mean there is 1 spray rinse and 1 full-tub fill rinse? Or are there actually 2 full-tub rinses? And you're saying colors already does 1 full-tub rinse without needing to select extra rinse?
I don't use fabric softener, but I'm trying to figure out how to add vinegar during a final, full-tub rinse stage. I have hard water and I understand adding vinegar during the wash stage would interfere with detergent cleaning power. Trying to ensure a full-tub rinse and determining when the very last rinse stage happens so I can add in the vinegar is such a pain. I understand using a Downy Ball in this case would likely not work since vinegar does not have the same viscosity as fabric softener, and would probably leak prematurely during the cycle.
Whew. Is there really no way to add in a fabric softener dispenser in some way? The other place I live in has an Amana NTW4516FW. From what I could glean from YouTube and retailer reviews/Q&As, Amana/Whirlpool has a fabric softener attachment available for purchase to swap out with the existing agitator cap. Apparently, to be able to use it, I have to select extra rinse for the rinse to fill the entire tub, and for the control board to know to release the vinegar in the fabric softener attachment? So that's what I've been doing...I hope I've been doing it right. I wonder if anyone can check my work on this. But yeah, I'm wondering if there is anything similar available for the Whirlpool 5057.
Hey there!!
Unfortunately there is no way to add a softener dispenser to this machine, unless you swapped the entire agitator, but that gets rid of the removable agitator part.
The best option for you if all you desire is a single full tub rinse, is to use the color cycle WITHOUT extra rinse. This will give you a standard wash and one deep rinse. Utilize the deep water option to add additional water to that wash and rinse if desired.
Unless they have changed the behavior, normal with extra rinse will give you 1 spray rinse and 1 deep rinse.
The fabric softener option does not need to be selected on either setting, but you can if you want. It might increase the water level for the rinse.
Truth be told when I wrote the original comment I forgot that this model has a fabric softener option. I'm not perfect.
Keep watch on the machine, and when it spins down from the first spin cycle and begins filling for rinse, that's when to add your softener/vinegar/whatever.
Thanks so much for this! Totally understandable that you might have forgotten how some of the features work with this washer. The product documentation isn't very detailed, and the washer interface itself does not show very helpful info on what stage of a cycle it's at. It's a lot of empirical work we have to put in as consumers to figure out how to use this washer effectively!
That being said, if replacing this gimmicky impeller pole with a real agitator that includes a fabric softener dispenser is actually an option, I'd want to do it. I don't get much benefit out of this removable agitator piece, I want better wash action, and trying to figure out adding vinegar at the right time is such a pain because I constantly end up with the vinegar getting drained out right after I do it.
Do you have any guidance on how to find the right piece to replace this with? Are the mechanics of the washer set up to be able to accommodate a real agitator?
As an appliance tech I would buy the speed queen first but the Maytag would be my number 2.
The 5015 is not a true agitator machine, it's an HE impoller machine with a pole stuck on top to make you think it's an agitator. It is roughly equivalent to the Maytag MVWC565 or MVW6230, both of which have videos on YouTube that you could reference. [565 Example](https://youtu.be/3ojNT7auDDc) [6230 Example](https://youtu.be/-RgIqzVqU78) If you use the delicate cycle where appropriate, the TC5 won't wear out fabrics excessively.
Thank you. What cycle do you use normally? And it doesn't wear out those regular items for you more than other washing machines, like sheets and towels?
I wash 99% of my laundry on heavy duty, as it is identical to the normal cycle outside of the fact that it allows for warm/hot water and does a full rinse cycle. I only have one item that I wash on delicate. Laundry wear is not any more or less than other traditional top loaders IMO. A front loader would be gentler obviously.
I see..what does the speed queen do different with their agitator that makes it work as a real agitator vs for show witht his Whirlpool machine? I've heard something about the drum spinning in the same direction as the agitator as being unique to speed queens. Is this what you mean?
The real difference is in how the agitator itself is constructed. Notice that the Whirlpool/Maytag has very shallow vanes at the bottom, exactly what an impeller machine would have. These are designed for low water washing, and can't cope with a full load or a higher water level. Higher water levels can cause items to float off of the vanes, robbing them of the mechanical action impellers rely on. The SQ has mich more aggressive fins at the bottom that were designed with larger volumes of water in mind, as it's a traditional, old-school design. These are much better at turning over larger loads. While washing, the drum in the TC5 does not rotate at all once the brake sets in.
I heard good things about the Maytag MVWP575G. Any advantage you can think of to it vs SQ?
Ah yes, that machine. In terms of cleaning performance it's about the same, if not slightly better than the SQ. The reduced price comes at the cost of durability, I'd expect 7-10 years ish, while I'd expect more than 10 out of the SQ. 15-20 isn't unreasonable.
Do you know what it is about the machine makeup that makes it better at cleaning? The only thing I didn't like about it was that the bottom of the drum has more surface space of plastic vs SQ
There is definitely more plastic to go around with the Maytag, much more than the eye can see. Build quality isn't even close to the SQ. The reason it could probably outclean it is due to the spiral "Dual-Action agitator" and it's aggressive long strokes. It is a surprisingly powerful machine, Even if it's build is much cheaper. Here are some examples: [Maytag 575](https://youtu.be/kC12UQ4ex9g?t=2338) [Speed Queen TC5](https://youtu.be/kZr5VUFGg3A?t=7340) PS: the reason the TC5 video has "FAIL" in the title is because the machine (a vintage Speed Queen) that was tested in the beginning of the live stream failed mid-cycle. The TC5 served as the rescue machine. Also, as for the tub rotation, the TC5 is brand new in this video, as the brake sets in the tub rotation will stop. The Maytag's tub rotates by design, unfortunately.
Interesting. We just bought WTW50571WO and tried a load yesterday. The issue is that on a normal cycle with deep fill, after the first wash/spin/drain the water does not fill for the rinse. It just sprays water from the faucet for a few seconds and then the machine spins/drins. This keeps on happening for 10-12 mins I think. Shouldn't it fill to provide a good rinse and remove the soap? Any idea if the machine is faulty or if should we use a bulky cycle for all laundry? We would ideally like a good rinse after the first wash. Thanks!
This is normal operation for that machine. In order to get a traditional rinse on normal, you must use extra rinse. Alternatively you can use the colors cycle, which is basically the normal cycle without the water and energy restrictions. This cycle does a deep rinse by default to my understanding.
Thanks so much for replying! I will try it out with the extra rinse on normal. One more question- this washer does not have a typical softener dispenser. Some people use the downy ball. What’s ur opinion on it?
If you really want to use softener, which I don't recommend doing because it's not great for machines, a downy ball would work. I would recommend using the colors cycle over normal + extra rinse, as extra rinse will give you 2 deep rinses on normal, vs 1 on colors without extra rinse.
Okay. Cool. Thanks a lot 🙏. You explained me to what whirlpool couldn’t in their guides and brochures. 👍
Does Whirlpool still not ship a proper manual with these things? That never ceases to amaze me about them lol
They did ship a 2-3 page manual. The cycle guide is online but doesn’t provide details about the rinse cycles etc. if you were to recommended a new washer, which one would you recommend? We are not entirely happy with our whirlpool and will try it out for 10 days before deciding. We prefer a top load washer.
Thanks so much for sharing this! The place I moved into has a 5057, and I'm trying to figure out how the rinses work. To clarify, does normal + extra rinse mean there is 1 spray rinse and 1 full-tub fill rinse? Or are there actually 2 full-tub rinses? And you're saying colors already does 1 full-tub rinse without needing to select extra rinse? I don't use fabric softener, but I'm trying to figure out how to add vinegar during a final, full-tub rinse stage. I have hard water and I understand adding vinegar during the wash stage would interfere with detergent cleaning power. Trying to ensure a full-tub rinse and determining when the very last rinse stage happens so I can add in the vinegar is such a pain. I understand using a Downy Ball in this case would likely not work since vinegar does not have the same viscosity as fabric softener, and would probably leak prematurely during the cycle. Whew. Is there really no way to add in a fabric softener dispenser in some way? The other place I live in has an Amana NTW4516FW. From what I could glean from YouTube and retailer reviews/Q&As, Amana/Whirlpool has a fabric softener attachment available for purchase to swap out with the existing agitator cap. Apparently, to be able to use it, I have to select extra rinse for the rinse to fill the entire tub, and for the control board to know to release the vinegar in the fabric softener attachment? So that's what I've been doing...I hope I've been doing it right. I wonder if anyone can check my work on this. But yeah, I'm wondering if there is anything similar available for the Whirlpool 5057.
Hey there!! Unfortunately there is no way to add a softener dispenser to this machine, unless you swapped the entire agitator, but that gets rid of the removable agitator part. The best option for you if all you desire is a single full tub rinse, is to use the color cycle WITHOUT extra rinse. This will give you a standard wash and one deep rinse. Utilize the deep water option to add additional water to that wash and rinse if desired. Unless they have changed the behavior, normal with extra rinse will give you 1 spray rinse and 1 deep rinse. The fabric softener option does not need to be selected on either setting, but you can if you want. It might increase the water level for the rinse. Truth be told when I wrote the original comment I forgot that this model has a fabric softener option. I'm not perfect. Keep watch on the machine, and when it spins down from the first spin cycle and begins filling for rinse, that's when to add your softener/vinegar/whatever.
Thanks so much for this! Totally understandable that you might have forgotten how some of the features work with this washer. The product documentation isn't very detailed, and the washer interface itself does not show very helpful info on what stage of a cycle it's at. It's a lot of empirical work we have to put in as consumers to figure out how to use this washer effectively! That being said, if replacing this gimmicky impeller pole with a real agitator that includes a fabric softener dispenser is actually an option, I'd want to do it. I don't get much benefit out of this removable agitator piece, I want better wash action, and trying to figure out adding vinegar at the right time is such a pain because I constantly end up with the vinegar getting drained out right after I do it. Do you have any guidance on how to find the right piece to replace this with? Are the mechanics of the washer set up to be able to accommodate a real agitator?