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Many consumers are thrilled with the cleaning ability of their front
loading clothes washing machine. Unfortunately, they are equally
frustrated by the bad smells that can originate from this style of
washer. Smells that can start as a mustiness, increase into a stronger
mildew smell, and eventually become an overpowering stink. A stink that
can be strong enough to invade the whole laundry area.
In
previous articles we discussed this problem and offered some basic
solutions. The method previosly suggested involved trying to wash away the build-up of old
detergent using multiple injections of hot water. Although this method
can be successful, it is also very time consuming. A new product has
come into the marketplace that is an easier option. The
product is called 'Affresh'. It's a cleaner specially formulated to
remove the odor causing debris from the front loading washing machine
interior. Reports we have received from our customers have confirmed its
smell-busting ability.
The
product is in a tablet form and is used once per month. Its job
is to get into the hidden parts of the washing machine and remove any
smell-causing debris. Once inserted into the drum, and the washer
started into a hot wash, the process begins. The tablet bubbles and uses
its effervescent effect to reach all the out-of-the-way areas. The
theory is, that using an oxygenated method allows the cleaner to get
down between the debris and the interior surfaces. This allows it to
lift off the debris and dissolve it into the water. Later, it’s simply
washed down the drain.
Consumers
experiencing odor problems should first read their owners' manual or visit the manufacturer's website.
A number of odor problems may be due
to misunderstandings concerning the use of detergents and fabric
softeners in front loading washing machines. Many
consumers are using too much detergent per load. Also, fabric softener
should be highly diluted to compensate for the small amount of water
within these type of washing machines. Remember that one of the major
advantages of the front loading washer is the small amount of water it
consumes. Therefore the quantity of the cleaning products used per load
must be lowered accordingly. The cause of bad smells is often traced back to the misuse of detergent
or fabric softener. Plus, some consumers are not using the correct
type of laundry detergent. When not used properly they can begin to build up inside the machine.
Over time they become sticky and begin to attract debris and organic
material from the washing process. When it reaches the critical level your washer may begin to
produce severe odours that will impregnate your clothes.
So
if your front load washing machine has odour problems consider this new
product. As a service company we carry it in our trucks and use it while
doing regular service maintenance on these types of washers. Recently we
had a customer who had been fighting a very bad odour for months. They
also had an ongoing accumulation of soap scum near the front of
the washing
machine that had become a concern because every time they cleaned the
area the scum would reappear the next week. We were called in by the
manufacturer to try and resolve the problem. After our diagnosis of the
situation we made a number of suggestion including the use of Affresh.
The customer has since advised us that after using it their previously
foul-smelling washer’s interior was now clean of soap buildup and odor free.
Even
if your front loading washer is new
purchasing some Affresh is an inexpensive form of
preventative maintenance. A small investment that may pay off by giving
you many years of odor-free washing. Affresh
can be bought at most appliance parts stores and some large retail
chains. It is priced at approximately $12 for a three-month supply.
By
Donald Grummett
Copyright © 2007
Donald Grummett. All rights reserved
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