Do you have a smelly washer?

Do you have a smelly washer?  I do!  I have an HE washer and dryer that I LOVE however I have been disappointed that my washer smells 🙁 Once a month I either add bleach or white vinegar to the cycle and it helps for a week, but the odor always returns.  I was very excited when I was asked to review Whirlpool’s new product called affresh.

Affresh was developed to help with odor-causing residue that can accumulate in all brands of high-efficiency (HE) washers and even traditional top-loading washing machines.  Affresh washer cleaning kit is designed to help clean and prevent residue build up, which is what causes you to have a smelly washer.  The kit combines commonly used cleaning agents with special ingredients that, when used as a part of a normal maintenance program, can help prevent formation of residue that can build up.

The kit includes 3 Power-Puck tablets and six Grit Grabber cloths.  The cost is $10.99 and depending on the condition of your washer you may be able to use 1 Power-Puck and 2 Grit Grabber cloths or up to all 3 tablets and 6 cloths on the first use.

Whirlpool suggest a monthly maintenance and cleaning routine in order to keep your washer smelling good and operating at highest efficiency.  If used just once a month, the affresh washer cleaning kit can help prevent odor-causing residue from accumulating.  I gave affresh a try on my smelly washer and I was in SHOCK by the amount of “gunk” that the affresh kit removed.  I had to use all 3 Power-Puck tablets and 6 Grit Grabber cloths in order to remove all of the smell and residue.  I was amazed first of all by how much residue was there and by how much better my washer smells now. I do want to add that I suggest wearing rubber gloves when you use the Grit Grabber clothes because they are a little abrasive and in order to really remove the residue your hands are going to get DIRTY!   The true test will be to see how long the fresh smell lasts!  I am going to post a follow up to this review in a month or two.

This is the gunk that came out of my washer!

Affresh Kits are available nationwide including Sears, Best Buy, Lowes, Kroger and Food Lion as well as supermarkets and at www.affresh.com.  There was a coupon for $1 off 1 Affresh Washer Cleaning Tablets or Dishwasher and Disposal Cleaning Tablets, or Washer Cleaning Kit in the 6/20/10 SmartSource.

Disclosure:  I was provided this product for free to review however all opinions are 100% my own.