The whole idea seems redundant: Why in the world would anyone need to clean a washing machine?
It stands to reason that the detergent and bleach used to launder dirty clothes should scour the machine at the same time. But apparently, the same technology that makes high-efficiency washers more eco-friendly can turn them into breeding grounds for mold and mildew.
High-efficiency top- and front-loading machines use less water. That means more dirt and detergent are left behind over time. Simply shut the washer door after running a load of laundry, and the remaining residue becomes a stinky mess.
Some homeowners find out the hard way that their washing machines require routine cleaning when, for instance, the machine begins leaking liquid detergent and fabric softener — one of the symptoms of gunk and detergent built-up. Adding to the problem is that most people use more detergent than they really need.
Appliance manufacturers recommend a monthly maintenance and cleaning routine to purge and prevent washing machine funk. Affresh tablets are the solution offered by the Whirlpool Corp.
The tablets smell and act like lemon-flavored Alka-Seltzer. Makers say they break down residue inside the machine, allowing it to be rinsed away. A really smelly machine may require more than one tablet.
But in the average home washer, one treatment is enough to produce a fresh-smelling washing machine and send out a pleasant aroma. The tabs are suitable for high efficiency machines and traditional top-loader models alike, so regular use should result in the sweetest-smelling washer on the block.
A three-tablet pack of Affresh is $6.99 at whirlpool.com, Best Buy and Home Depot.
Sheba R. Wheeler: 303-954-1283 or firstname.lastname@example.org