I recently was in the market to purchase a new washer and dryer. I was determined to buy American while also supporting a local small business. I had decided to go for Whirlpool because I had heard they were made in America. I found a small independent owner appliance store nearby. When I entered the store, I told the owner that I wanted to buy Whirlpool because they were American made. He quickly pointed out to me that Whirlpools were made in America but many of the parts were made in China. He told me that if I truly wanted a 100% American made product then the best choice was Speed Queen. He went on to say that every part within the Speed Queen was made in America. It’s also the best made product that I could buy and it has been the choice of laundromats for decades because they are built to last. I was so happy with my purchase and they work great. I did have to pay more but it was worth it to me. I accomplished what I set out to do. I bypassed the giant corporations and supported a small business and I was not contributing to China’s slave labor. I would love to hear of any similar stories and what products are out there that we can trust are 100% American made.
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About a year ago, I was looking for American Made mattresses for a set of bunks for the grandkids. Found this company with an amazing video of their roots. The service was great and the mattresses are affordable and super comfortable. Here is their site:
https://dreamfoambedding.com/pages/about
This site is pretty good too if you need accessories:
https://www.mypillow.com/
OF COURSE! ;)
I bought some rubs for meat. This company was from a small American company and love it.
Wingy stop bragging about your love life. Jk
Every time we road trip through the United States I buy local rubs and bring them home with me.
Beef in general was my answer
Most beef in US originate from ranches in Mexico then are finished raising and slaughtered in US. lookup Santa Teresa livestock port of entry for example.
STOP SPOILING IT FOR ME! LOL
Yes, I'd like to learn about accessories that give major headaches to commies.
Can you help me?
But he doesn’t use 100% American products in his pillows
It's true. He does use a patented fill made with Egyptian cotton that's only grown in the Nile River valley...at least that's what his commercials say.
ANOTHER SOURCE FOR BEDDING:
White Lotus Home. Based in Highland Park, New Jersey, White Lotus Home sells handmade mattresses, futons, pillows, and bedding made from natural and organic materials. The company also offers solid wood futon frames and other wood furniture for the bedroom and office. All products are made in New Jersey, using domestic materials whenever possible while keeping waste to a minimum. “Green cotton” mattresses start at around $515, and organic mattresses start at $1,255. You can buy White Lotus furniture online and in stores in 15 states.
Thank you u/PatriotLady1! Looking for a new organic mattress and excited to have American made with American materials available! 🇺🇸
Those look very comfy, I'll be replacing my Chyna made memory foam mattress in the very near future.
I like that you all are posting this type of information. This will help others who might be shopping for certain items. Thanks!
Repair man working on my old Samsung told me big box store washer and dryers were only designed to last 5 years!!! He recommended Speed Queen. Got lucky and found some in stock, they work like a champ!
I believe it. I have a Samsung washer and dryer and I know their days are numbered. Now I know what to be looking for. I've been saying for years that I think appliances these days have their death date worked into the computer brains and that when the warranty is up they shoot a death beam to the appliance. I never buy those stupid warranties, been screwed by too many of them.
Let's be real, stuff from the 60s still works. Refrigerators built then are still in operation. Drill presses, saws....back then we took pride in our product and stood by it. Now, however, we take pride in our profit and if your product lasts forever, you just lost a source of profit. Wall Street runs the market.
My folks are still rockin the avocado green fridge. I want that thing left to me in the will.
LOL I have "Harvest Gold" one in my garage (circa 1974). It's a Frigidaire!
73 avocado green beer fridge finally cratered last year.
My mom still has the matching stove. Her fridge lasted well over 40 years.
We've become a "throw away" society.
My father took very good care of everything he owned. He even put car wax on appliances to protect their paint and prevent rust. When he died, he had beautiful old power tools - drills and so on - with metal housing and they were used probably every day of his working life. They looked brand new. He had a gas lawnmower probably bought in 1949 or 1950. It looked brand new. Everything worked like it was new too. The wall oven, stovetop, refrigerator and large freezer were bought in 1962 when he renovated our kitchen. They all worked perfectly. The old stove, bought in 1949, still worked fine too.
As far as that goes, my grandparents house still had grandma's old stove bought I would guess in the late '30s or early '40s was still working fine too.
Kitchen Wax is a thing. It is "Jubilee" and was off the market, but consumers were insistent that it be re-released. Kitchen appliances, Formica counters, and sinks are all waxed. They look like new and spills wipe right off. Your Grandma probably used this. Highly recommend.
There used to be this stuff called Bowling Alley Wax made in Norfolk VA. We used it on everything. Great stuff which is not made any more. Way better than Jubilee.
Dang. That sounds like it was worth getting. What do they wax bowling alleys with now?
The thing I like about Jubilee is that it cleans the appliances as well as waxes them. Willing to see what they are using these days in the alleys, though.
I don't know what they use now. I have tried everything, including expensive, imported from Britain waxes, the expensive stuff all the woodworkers swear by. None of them could hold a candle to Bowling Alley Wax. They stopped making it about 30 years ago.
We cleaned the wood floors twice a year with varsol, on our hands and knees. Then applied a thin coat of the wax, again on hands and knees. Then after it dried, buffed it. It put a hard, shiny coat in the floors that lasted until the next 6 mos. cleaning and waxing.
Oh man, they still make it.
No. There's other brands that call themselves bowling alley. This company is out of business and has been for around 30 years. It was based in Norfolk VA.
Seems like electronics have obsolescence built in to them. Phones are probably the best, or worst example depending on how you look at it.
I have to laugh at what you said. My High School Econ teacher told us ( era 1968), that appliances, cars, etc. have built in obsolescence so businesses can keep selling their products.
I’ve got a whirlpool double stack from 1990 that’s still going. My wife has tried to get me to get newer ones many times but I keep telling her they’ll only last a fraction as long as this one has.
They'll also do a worse job.
Local butchers and farmers. Food is 3x better, often times at a very similar price.
We stopped raising our own awhile back (I'm old as dirt) and started buying from our farming friends and neighbors.
A couple of years ago we needed new dishwashers and my husband insisted I look for only Kenmore. My bestie's mom still has her Kenmore refrigerator that we used to poke around in when in middle school and we're 54 now. So I got 2 Kenmore dishwashers from Sears. Right before they went out of business. Oh well. Then a day before Thanksgiving last year my utility room fridge went out. I tried Home Depot and a couple box stores and nothing could be delivered that day. I found a small independent dealer with a Kenmore fridge, brand new. They had already started the paperwork when I got there and that afternoon I had my new fridge.
I bought my "Harvest Gold" fridge at a small appliance store in 1974. They didn't have white, but would sell me the Gold one for same price and deliver it the same day. They were in my driveway by the time we got home!
Thanks! And, a few years ago I helped someone research the best washer and dryer available to buy, and the winner, was Speed Queen! Recently I tried to locate a large grommeted tarp to use to cover my portable water tank because it is white and the algae will grow because of sun shining on the tank. I made local calls, I looked online, and I did not find one single tarp to buy that was not imported. Had to have a tarp, and fast, So now? I have a tarp that stinks like poison even though outside, and of course, it was made in China. Every single product they make involving plastics, is noxious. I'm disgusted.
ANCHOR INDUSTRIES INC. (3rd generation American company located in Evansville, IN)...MAKES TARPS...and has dealers all over the USA...give 'em a call IF YOU WANT A CUSTOM TARP out of American-made-industrial fabrics.
(812) 913-9958
https://anchorinc.com/about-us/history/
They also have "dealers" all over... ASK FOR "CUSTOM PRODUCTS" and they can direct you to a dealer near you :-)
Bought a set of Speed Queen machines in '89...still going.
I’ve bought Vans since I was teen as they were always comfortable for me having flat feet and working in a warehouse, the extra padding was nice for not banging up my feet and ankles. I don’t mind boots for the winter months but in summer around here, it’s just too damn hot. Anyway, a few months back my most recent pair of vans were about to bite it and I wanted something similar without buying cheap Chinese shit. I happened to come across some shoes called Woobies that happened to resemble Vans but are made in Texas no less and by Green Beret veterans. Suffice it to say, I bought a pair recently and can honestly say, I have found my new favorite shoes. 🤘🏻🤘🏻
I'm Checking the Woobies out. We purchased a pair of Vans with cats on them at Goodwill- they were loved until they were outgrown. If I find Woobies with cats, my whole family may be getting a pair.
u/#Catdance
https://www.moneycrashers.com/products-made-usa-american-made/ this might help, I found other sites but only this one specifically mentions made in usa of products also made in usa.
BTW, Whirlpool isn't what it used to be. I have a Whirlpool over the stove wall mounted microwave. It's crap.
We have a Whirlpool washer and dryer, bought them two years ago. So far they're working ok, but wish we would have known about Speed Queen.
I wish I had known about them too. Knock on wood, my LG washer and dryer are still going strong after 6 years. Another relative bought a Maytag about two years ago because she's old and thinks if it was good in 1955 it's good now. It's garbage, she's already had to have it repaired twice.
Mine to!
My mother in law has a speed queen set. Thing of beauty. I want some... she had an original set she bought used that lasted 45 years, but finally bought a new set. Not cause they stopped working but because she wanted sleeker new designs. Lol.
And by going to a mom and pop shop you actually found someone who knew the products they were selling in\side and out, which you never would have known going to home depot or the like, the best you might have received was a "the box says...." answer. Plus you'll more than likely receive way better service if a problem ever does arise and you made a friend to boot. Good job!
Just to mention, doesnt hurt every Speed Queen has a BIG FAT "Q" on it, kek...
Maytag used to be the best in America-my dear mother had one from the 60s that was literally falling apart and after she passed in 2011, I helped my stepfather replace several appliances by scrapping the family silver ($1900)..
I purchased a large property last year and needed a zero-turn to handle the pastures. Bad boy mowers is an American company that not only builds them here, but handles everything from producing the parts to owning there own trucks for shipping. Great product comparatively on price and quality is much higher.
👋Great job! Thanks for the information. We may need a new set soon so I will file this information away for the future.
Speed queen parts should be avalible for the next 40 years,that's a big win. These thing never wear out,just replace a part once in a while.
Restore old machines.
Parts may not be available, planned obsolescence works wonders on parts too..
That is what 3D (ahem additive manufacturing) printing is for.
Yeah, but, the rotary switches and timer have metal contacts and parts-are the printers that advanced???
I think they are that advanced. I know they did a motorcycle. Well worth looking into.
Needed a new water heater. Bradford White makes them in Middleville, Michigan. 👍
My in-laws have a very expensive dishwasher that needed repairs. They asked the repair man if there was a more reliable brand. He said, "No all dishwasher brands are junk and the only well made appliances were Speed Queen washers and dryers."
My sister works in the Speed Queen factory! They take really good care of their workers and pay well!
Love my Speed Queen washer and dryer. American made quality was why I went for it. You want to live in a country that makes things? You have to buy things your country makes! Glad that salesperson steered you right!
Guy at Andy's Appliances in Prescott AZ said Speed Queen was good for 25 years, all American. A little more, lasts long term me.
I own a small business, I do believe more Americans are starting to agree with you and do the same.
We have a Speed Queen. Fast wash cycles. Seems to do a good job, I don't have any complaints.
Yes!! Cutco knives are the best!! I bought my set 30 years ago and still use them everyday and I have never had sharpen them.
Speed Queen ROCKS! I have a large family and this one can take it! With the price because it will go forever. Bought mine at a local dealer as well.
I thought they didn’t make Speed Queen anymore. I think every time we look for new washer & dryers I tell my husband I wish they still made them, we had a set 20 yrs ago, that were awesome.
I have a friend that recently had their dryer stop working. Similar to your story, he was told that, even though the dryers are made in America, the parts could only be found in South Korea. They had to wait several weeks for a single part. I just told them that at least SK was an ally of ours. Who knows where those parts are actually made though? My guess is China.
Another idea for putting the china out of business in America is for American businesses to underbid them to get the business then add price hikes as needed. My family did this with two of our former businesses to get business over local competitors and only raised rates as needed. It works.
God Bless you for being a true patriot!! We should all follow this example, forever!!
Here is a list of American made products we should all support: https://www.madeinamerica.co/pages/thelist
My wife works at whirlpool and I used to as well. So I have at least a bit of knowledge on their stuff. They do try to make most of their things in the country they are selling it. So if they are selling washers in Mexico, they will be made in Mexico. They source a decent amount of their raw materials from other countries and im sure a decent amount of parts as well, but a lot is done in America. So if you are looking to but American, whirlpool and its subsidiaries like Amana, Maytag, and kitchenaide are okay.
On the flip side, they are of course making my wife get weekly testing starting last week. Worse yet, you probably have heard of a guy named Fred Upton, one of the Republicans who voted to pass that garbage spending bill. His family owned Whirlpool and made their fortunes through it. I believe he is still pretty heavily invested in the company.
My dad has talked about Speed Queen before because they're supposed to be the most reliable, the hard part is finding a place to buy one in the and getting it delivered while the usual brands are ubiquitous and the big box stores tempt to you free delivery and haul-away of your old appliance.
Yes, they do the heavy lifting, but they'll make you pay more over time with a bad product.
Best bet is local furniture and appliance dealers. We have one that does free delivery and handles warranty repairs.
Thank you for relating this story. And that's great to know about Speed Queen. Like you, I would love to know if more fully American products exist.
Thanks for sharing this! I will remember that brand for our next purchase
Great job… I’m so happy to hear you didn’t buy whirl pool. They are the biggest piece of junk. I highly recommend nobody ever buy one. Ever. I’m happy you have a purchase that you’re satisfied with and that met the requirements made in America
This is good to know. Thanks for sharing!