Affresh washing machine cleaner is a laundry additive formulated to clean the valve, tub, drum, agitator, filter, and hose. Furthermore, it also eliminates odor-causing residues from your washing machine. The unique formula in affresh allows you to use it in top load as well as front-load washing machines with a High-Efficiency symbol on them.
Affresh is recommended by well-known appliance brands such as Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid, Maytag, and Amana.
In this post you will learn:
- How to use affresh to clean a washing machine?
- What affresh is made up of?
- Pros and Cons
- Commonly asked questions
- And More…
Let’s get started.
Table Of Content
- What is in affresh washing machine cleaner?
- Where do you put the washing machine cleaner?
- Steps to use affresh washing machine cleaner
- How long does it take to clean washing machine with Affresh?
- Pros and Cons of Affresh washing machine cleaner
- Is using Affresh necessary?
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is in affresh washing machine cleaner?
Affresh Washing Machine cleaner is made up of Sodium percarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Glucono-delta-lactone, Polyethylene glycol, Sodium acetate, and added fragrance.
It makes use of 4 functions to form an effective cleansing solution.
- Oxidizer
- Builder
- Processing Aid
- And fragrance
Sodium percarbonate acts as an oxidizer whereas Glucono-delta-lactone, Polyethylene glycol, and Sodium acetate act as a processing aid. Last but not least, Sodium carbonate in affresh is used as a builder.
Where do you put the washing machine cleaner?
It is important to place the affresh washing machine cleaner in the correct spot for optimum results.
The tablet or pouch should ideally be introduced into the washer’s drum. If you are using the tablet form, it is advisable to dissolve it in hot water before adding it to the washer.
For those who are using the pouch form, make sure to puncture it open before adding it to the washer.
Regardless of the type of washer you have, it’s always a good idea to add the tablet or pouch directly in the tub.
If you are using a front-load washer, it’s best to place the tablet or pouch inside the tub and run the hottest possible cycle.
Note: Avoid adding it to the detergent dispenser or fabric softener compartment.
Steps to use affresh washing machine cleaner
The steps are quite simple and can be followed by everyone. There isn’t any special preparation to it.
Having said that, we have segregated the steps into two sections.
- Steps to be followed for Top Loader
- Steps to be followed for Front-Loader
Using Affresh in Top Load Washing Machine
For a top-load washing machine, simply drop the tablet or open the pouch and place it directly into the washing machine tub, followed by closing the lid and selecting the Clean Washer cycle.
If your machine doesn’t have a Clean Washer cycle, select the Normal cycle and run it on the hottest water temperature setting.
Note: Do not add any laundry, detergent, or fabric softener when using affresh washing machine cleaner.
Also Read: Top Load VS Front Load Detergents
Using Affresh in Front Load Washing Machine
For a front-load washing machine, place the tablet or the pouch directly into the tub. Close the door and select the Clean Washer cycle. Most modern-day washers these days have a clean washer cycle. If your machine doesn’t have one, simply select the hottest wash cycle and let it complete.
Again be sure not to add any laundry, detergent, or fabric softener when using affresh washing machine cleaner.
Note: Do Not put affresh tablet OR pouch in fabric softener or detergent compartment.
How long does it take to clean washing machine with Affresh?
The self-cleaning function generally takes 1 hour for top loaders and up to 4 hours for the front loaders with affresh. However, the actual time may vary depending on the level of dirt and debris that has built up.
Pros and Cons of Affresh washing machine cleaner
Pros
- The tablet-based system makes it easy to use and does not require any special preparation. All you need to do is place it directly into the tub and run the hottest cycle to do its magic.
- Affresh washing machine cleaner is safe to use with all washer types, including the ones with HE symbol (High-Efficiency Washers).
- Easily reaches the hard spots that are not visible.
- Affresh comes in both tablet pouch as well as in tablet form, you can choose the one that suits you the best.
- It’s developed by a trusted brand i.e. Whirlpool, so you can rest assured about the quality.
Cons
- The only con we could find is that it’s a bit on the pricier side as compared to other washing machine cleaners available in the market.
- May require manual cleaning as it tends to leave the residue behind.
- At times, availability is a challenge in some countries.
Is using Affresh necessary?
Using affresh is not necessary as you can still clean your washing machine safely by using natural solutions like vinegar. Having said that using affresh does help a lot.
If you are under a tight budget, using distilled white vinegar may be the right thing to do. But if you have the option to use affresh, simply use it once a month.
Final Thoughts
Affresh washing machine cleaner is a safe and effective way to clean your washing machine, without having to put in a lot of effort.
The tablet-based system makes it easy to use and does not require any special preparation.
Affresh laundry machine cleaner is a good choice if you are looking for an effective and easy-to-use solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of common questions that are frequently asked.
Do you have to use hot water with affresh?
Yes, you need to use hot water while using affresh as it helps in dissolving the tablet quickly. Having said that, it will still work in cold water but the only thing is you will have a large portion left after the use.
Can I use affresh with bleach?
No, you should not use bleach with affresh as it can damage your washing machine.
Can I use affresh with Tide Pods?
No, it is not recommended to use affresh with Tide Pods since pods are formulated to clean clothes and fabric whereas affresh is formulated to clean washing machines. Furthermore, their chemical composition is completely different.
How often should I use affresh in my washing machine?
To keep your washing machine running smoothly, it’s recommended to use affresh once a month.
Can I use affresh with fabric softener?
No, you should not use fabric softener with affresh as both are formulated differently and to achieve different objectives. The chemical composition of fabric softener is targeted towards softening the clothes by using oily ingredients which does not go well with affresh.
Can I put affresh in the detergent compartment?
No, you should not use affresh in the detergent compartment as it can damage your washing machine. The chemical composition of affresh is different from that of detergent and hence should not be used together.
Will Affresh remove mold?
Yes, affresh can help in removing mold from your washing machine. It not only kills mold, mildew, and bacteria but also stops the build for a long time.
Can I use affresh with color-safe bleach?
No, you should not use color-safe bleach with affresh as both are formulated differently.
Can I use Affresh on a stainless steel washing machine?
Yes, you can use affresh on a stainless steel washing machine.
Is affresh toxic?
Yes, affresh can be toxic if swallowed and should be kept away from kids. In case of accidental ingestion, please call a doctor immediately.
Can I use vinegar with Affresh?
Technically you can use but it’s not recommended as affresh alone should suffice. Furthermore, you always run into the risk of an adverse chemical reaction.
Can I use Affresh twice?
Yes, you can use affresh twice or as and when you need it. However, it’s recommended to use it once or twice a month.
How long does affresh take to work?
Affresh starts working as soon as it comes in contact with water and the washing machine. However, for best results, let the cycle run for its full duration.
Will Affresh work with cold water?
Yes, affresh will work with cold water but it’s not as effective as using it in hot water. In the case of cold water, you might have some portion left after the use.
Does Affresh get rid of Scrud?
Yes, it is specially formulated to remove scrub and keep the build of mold and bacteria away.
Does affresh cause suds?
No, affresh does not cause suds. In fact, it helps in removing the left-out residue from your washing machine.
What can I use instead of affresh to clean my washing machine?
Some of the things which you can use are white vinegar, baking soda, bleach, etc. But we would still recommend using affresh as it is designed specifically for cleaning washing machines.
Do you use hot or cold water with affresh washing machine cleaner?
To get the best results, Affresh should be used with hot water. The ideal settings should be hot water with heavy wash cycle.
If you have more queries related to washing machines, you can always refer to our dedicated FAQ section.
