A. The standard washing machine hose connectors are 3/4" female hose threads, exactly like what is used outside for garden hose threads.. S.J. is simply 1/2" standard pipe thread - female threaded that fits onto most standard 1/2" male pipe threads. (SJ connectors might not work well on threaded PVC fittings, which may sometimes be too thick.) The only difference is that, unlike standard fittings that screw onto 1/2" male pipe threads, s.j. isn't tapered. There's no need to use pipe compound or Teflon (PTFE) tape to help make the seal on the threads, because the rubber/neoprene cone will make the seal instead against the inside rim of the threads that you are attaching the connector onto.