Frequently Asked Questions about Affresh® Cleaners and Washer Odor

Where do the odors in my washer, dishwasher and disposal come from?

Odor-causing residues and mold and mildew stains have the potential to accumulate anywhere moisture is present, including in conventional top-loading washers, dishwashers and disposals. In a high-efficiency washer of any make or model, the efficient design makes an HE washer somewhat more prone to the build-up of residues, body oils, lint, grime and detergent. In dishwashers and disposals, odor can also form from food particles, residue and mineral buildup on interior walls, racks, hoses, pumps and chopping blades.
If washers, dishwashers, and disposals are not maintained and cleaned on a regular basis, in accordance with the instructions in the owners manual, buildup can accumulate and cause that “stinky” smell.

Is the mold and residue in my washer and dishwasher harmful?

The amount of mold or mildew in an average washer or dishwasher is generally quite minor. In the amount found in an average washer or dishwsher, the mold and mildew itself not a health problem, although it can cause irritation or allergy symptoms in individuals who are allergic to mold/mildew.

How do affresh® cleaners get rid of the smell?

Over time, residue can build up in your washer, and food particles, residue and minerals can build up in your dishwasher and disposal, causing odor. affresh® Power Puck™ tablets use oxygenated bubbling action to penetrate and remove residue from hard–to–reach areas in your washer. Sturdy Grit Grabber™ cloths are specially designed help remove odor-causing residue from parts of your HE washer that are within your reach–like the rubber door seal. Solid affresh™ Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner tablets scour stuck–on food and minerals from disposal chopping blades, and use oxygenated bubbling action to penetrate food particles, residue, and mineral buildup in your dishwasher.

Unlike many products currently on the market, affresh® cleaners are able to help eliminate odor at the source.

How does the special cloth work? Can I use my own towels or rags?

The affresh® Grit Grabber™ cloth has a special texture designed to remove residue from the washer surfaces within your reach, and is sturdy enough to remove residue and mildew from the rubber door seal without tearing or disintegrating. Other sorts of rags or towels can remove moisture but are not specifically designed to remove washer residue.

How are affresh® cleaners different from other household cleaners such as bleach?

Many recommended cleaning products on the market adequately maintain the appliances they are meant for, but since individual results vary, these products have not proven to be consistently effective solutions.

Although some products, like bleach, help reduce the odors if the use and maintenance instructions in the owner’s manual are carefully followed, affresh® cleaners are safer and more effective. We do not recommend using both bleach and affresh® cleaners at the same time because this will reduce the overall cleaning performance.

Should I be using this product in my traditional top-load machine?

Yes. If you have a high–efficiency washer (top–load or front–load) it is recommended that you undertake a regular maintenance routine to ensure that it continues to perform at its best.

While traditional top–loaders (not high–efficiency) may not exhibit as many obvious signs of build–up, residue, mold and mildew can still accumulate in hoses and other hard to reach places. If you have a traditional top–load washer, regular cleaning with affresh® Washer Cleaner will help keep the hard to reach places of your machine fresh and clean.

Can I use affresh® washer cleaner in a top–loading HE washer? Can I use it with my LG, Samsung or other brand HE machine?

Yes. Top-load HE washers can accumulate the same residue and smells as front-load HE machines since they also use less water to clean your clothes. The affresh® system is recommended for removing washer odor and residue from all washers, regardless of configuration or manufacturer.

Can I use affresh® cleaners more than once a month if my washer, dishwasher or disposal still smell?

Yes. If your washer, dishwasher or disposal has not been cleaned regularly, you may have more residue and buildup than can be removed by a single cycle with affresh® cleaner. To get rid of the build–up, use affresh® cleaner in two to three cleaning cycles. Once your machine has been fully cleaned, use it once a month to prevent odor and residue from returning.

What happens if I don’t clean my HE machine?

Modern high–efficiency washers use less water and seal more tightly than older, less–efficient machines, providing greater conditions for odor–causing residue build–up. Thus, regular cleaning will help maintain the HE machine and keep it clean.

I haven’t noticed an odor in my HE washer. Should I still use affresh® washer cleaner?

Yes. Even if you don’t detect an odor in your HE machine, residue can still be accumulating in your washer. Once the built–up residue develops an odor you can smell, it can be more difficult to remove than if the residue was removed on a regular basis. Using affresh® washer cleaner regularly will prevent the inside of your washer and the rubber door seal from developing an odor by removing residue.

Will I still need to run the “clean” cycle on my washer or dishwasher?

If your washer or dishwasher has a “clean” cycle, select it along with the hottest water setting when you use affresh® Cleaner for the best results. You will not need to run an additional “clean” cycle to remove and prevent residue or particle build-up and odors.

Will affresh® tablets damage my clothing or dishes?

No. affresh® Washer Cleaner will not damage clothing if placed in with a load of laundry, and affresh™ Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner will not damage dishes or utensils. However, to optimize the performance of affresh® tablets, it is recommended that you remove all clothing from the wash basket and dishes from the racks while cleaning these machines.

Which affresh® product is right for me?

affresh® washer cleaner is approved for use in all HE washers, and is even useful for odor–maintenance in traditional machines. New HE washers up to 1–year in age should be cleaned once a month with affresh® washer cleaner tablets (pouch) to prevent odor–causing residue from accumulating. HE washers older than 1–year should be paid closer attention, particularly if odor has already set in. The affresh® washer cleaner kit is recommended to remove and prevent the return of set–in odors that form in older HE washers.

The affresh® washer cleaner packaging says to use once a month. If I only do one load of laundry a week, do I still need to use affresh® Power Puck™ tablets and Grit Grabber™ cloths once a month?

Yes. The less you use your washer, the more potential for odor–causing residue build-up.

The affresh™ Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner package says to use once a month. Why do I need to clean my dishwasher and garbage disposal once a month?

Food particles and detergent residue from dishes and pans accumulate in hard to clean places in your dishwasher and disposal every time you use them. Even if you scrape or pre–rinse, minerals from your water can still calcify and build up, leading to odor. This is particularly true if you use a phosphate–free dishwasher detergent. Once a month maintenance of your dishwasher and disposal with affresh™ Dishwasher & Disposal Cleaner helps remove odor from these surfaces, for a cleaner fresher kitchen.