If you own a front load washer and you've had it for a while, you may know about the fowl smell that occasionally comes out of it. No, it's not your gym socks, but instead it's mold and mildew growing in your washer (behind the gasket to be more specific). You've purchased the BEST washer on the planet in cleanibility but for some reason...with great power, comes great responsibility. Many have used straight bleach and ran the washer on a clean washer cycle, but that only covers up the odor. How do you get it cleaned deep down to the core?
The answer is in a tablet that looks alot like the same one you put in your toilet tank. It's round, white, and smells lemony. It's called Affresh. Each Affresh tablet is individually wrapped and come 3 to a pack. How does it work you ask? It's simple. Open the package, take a tablet out of the wrapper, and put it in your washer by itself. Put it on a clean washer cycle and let it go. Don't put it in the detergent dispenser, simply put it right in the drum of the washer. I know, it makes ALOT of noise as it rolls around the drum, but trust me, it's ok.
Once a month you put this tablet in your washer and the end result is a non-smelly laundry room (except for when you leave your dirty gym clothes in there) and a very clean washer.
Another way to prevent odor's in your washer is to leave the door open a little bit after the wash is done. Typically I leave mine ajar with the laundry basket holding it open just a little allowing air to get in to the drum. This helps dry out the washer and keeping water from building up and causing the mildew. Also leave the dispenser open a little bit to do the same thing. My rule of thumb is to leave the washer ajar until the load is done in the dryer (around 45 minutes).
If I notice build-up growing on the glass that's when I know the washer is getting dirty. In this case I'd just grab a Lysol disinfecting wipe and wipe the glass down and also wipe inside AND outside of the rubber gasket to ensure all areas are cleaned. You can use bleach, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't rely on bleach as the main avenue for keeping your washer clean. It will come back and fight you in the end.
Believe it or not, but the detergent you use may also have an adverse affect on the way your washer smells. I use the ecoVantage detergent we sell here. It's good for about 120 loads, it's powder, and it's made specifically for front load washers. I've had my washer for a year and I'm halfway through my second tub (that's with about 2 full loads a week average). I've also never had any issue with any fowl smells from my washer since I've owned it. Why? On top of using the Affresh, using the ecoVantage detergent is good for the washer because it is an odorless detergent. You can't have an odor from something that never had a smell to begin with. That may be untrue for some things, but it's not when it comes to washing machines!
Recap:
So, in order to clean your washer thoroughly I strongly recommend using Affresh. For on the spot cleaning jobs I'd use Lysol wipes. And for added cleanliness I also use ecoVantage detergent. Oh, and by the way, I forgot to tell you. My washer is in my kitchen. So if you try these methods, I guarantee your washer will improve. I know this because I can cook in my kitchen and not gag at the smell of my washer. If your washer just CAN'T smell any better, call our service department and we'll replace your gasket. In some cases the gasket is just too moldy and the cleaner just can't fix it. Don't worry, it can be fixed! Just call our service department. If you start running the Affresh now, you'll save alot of money in the future.
Take Care This Weekend,
-Brian
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The answer is in a tablet that looks alot like the same one you put in your toilet tank. It's round, white, and smells lemony. It's called Affresh. Each Affresh tablet is individually wrapped and come 3 to a pack. How does it work you ask? It's simple. Open the package, take a tablet out of the wrapper, and put it in your washer by itself. Put it on a clean washer cycle and let it go. Don't put it in the detergent dispenser, simply put it right in the drum of the washer. I know, it makes ALOT of noise as it rolls around the drum, but trust me, it's ok.
Once a month you put this tablet in your washer and the end result is a non-smelly laundry room (except for when you leave your dirty gym clothes in there) and a very clean washer.
Another way to prevent odor's in your washer is to leave the door open a little bit after the wash is done. Typically I leave mine ajar with the laundry basket holding it open just a little allowing air to get in to the drum. This helps dry out the washer and keeping water from building up and causing the mildew. Also leave the dispenser open a little bit to do the same thing. My rule of thumb is to leave the washer ajar until the load is done in the dryer (around 45 minutes).
If I notice build-up growing on the glass that's when I know the washer is getting dirty. In this case I'd just grab a Lysol disinfecting wipe and wipe the glass down and also wipe inside AND outside of the rubber gasket to ensure all areas are cleaned. You can use bleach, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't rely on bleach as the main avenue for keeping your washer clean. It will come back and fight you in the end.
Believe it or not, but the detergent you use may also have an adverse affect on the way your washer smells. I use the ecoVantage detergent we sell here. It's good for about 120 loads, it's powder, and it's made specifically for front load washers. I've had my washer for a year and I'm halfway through my second tub (that's with about 2 full loads a week average). I've also never had any issue with any fowl smells from my washer since I've owned it. Why? On top of using the Affresh, using the ecoVantage detergent is good for the washer because it is an odorless detergent. You can't have an odor from something that never had a smell to begin with. That may be untrue for some things, but it's not when it comes to washing machines!
Recap:
So, in order to clean your washer thoroughly I strongly recommend using Affresh. For on the spot cleaning jobs I'd use Lysol wipes. And for added cleanliness I also use ecoVantage detergent. Oh, and by the way, I forgot to tell you. My washer is in my kitchen. So if you try these methods, I guarantee your washer will improve. I know this because I can cook in my kitchen and not gag at the smell of my washer. If your washer just CAN'T smell any better, call our service department and we'll replace your gasket. In some cases the gasket is just too moldy and the cleaner just can't fix it. Don't worry, it can be fixed! Just call our service department. If you start running the Affresh now, you'll save alot of money in the future.
Take Care This Weekend,
-Brian