Care For Your Washer

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development
of mildew,bacteria and odor in all washers after a period of use.
We recommend that you perform the following simple routine maintenance:

• Always follow the instructions in the Use and Care guide for your washing machine.

• Always leave the washer door or lid open between uses to help dry out the washer and prevent the buildup of odor-causing residue. Not all of the water immediately evaporates after a load is complete, plus, washing machines are generally kept in somewhat closed and damp environments.

• Promptly remove laundry after the wash cycle to avoid odor and rusting of metal objects on garments. Wet fabric left in a closed space is particularly conducive to the development of odor.

• Use only the amount of detergent recommended on the detergent container. If your washer is a high-efficiency machine, use only HE detergent, not regular detergent. Regular detergent may cause excessive suds which can leave a soap film that is conducive to the development of mildew, bacteria and odor.

• Choose the warmest wash water temperature that is safe for the fabrics you are washing. Use of warm or hot water washes sometimes do a better job of controlling the rate at which soils and detergent accumulate.

• Over time, laundry habits have changed, including the use of less bleach, more fabric softener and more frequent cold water washes. These may increase the rate at which detergent and soil residue builds up inside the washer, which may result in undesirable odor. So it's best to regularly clean your washing machine. If specific cleaning instructions are not included in your use and care guide, run an empty cycle (no clothes) once a month using hot water and liquid chlorine bleach, or a commercially available washing machine cleaner like affresh™ Washer Cleaner.