question about clean washer with afresh cycle

[pierreandreply4]

hello to all aw member,

when my daily driver gives me the message clean washer with afresh is there an alternative to clean washer with out relying on the clean washer cycle with afresh when it shows message clean washer with afresh i have even tryed a tip that was posted online to do a factory reset thank you for anyone that can answer this because i am seriously questening myself why did they put that feature if its not needed?

 

[donprohel]

To sell Affresh, of course

If the message says "clean with Affresh", the reason is to sell Affresh.

As it has been stated by many members here, whether a cleaning cycle is actually needed depends on how the washer is used: if your use does not require a cleaning cycle, why not just ignoring the message and living happy?

 

[DADoES]

 
Other cleaning products than Affresh can be used with the Clean Washer cycle
- Lemi Shine (or other citric acid product)
- Tide Washer Cleaner (although it generates a LOT of sudsing in my limited experience and leaves a strong perfumed scent that may be objectionable)
- chlorine bleach (250 mL)
- vinegar (500 mL)
- borax (1/2 kg)
- a full double-dose of HE detergent (which is what my F&P machines' user guides advise)

Don't use more than one type of cleaner or chemical at a time.  Some cleaners and chemicals cause dangerous fumes when mixed together.

The trick about whether the machine does or does not need to be cleaned is that the residue accumulates in areas that aren't visible unless the washer is disassembled.  Waiting to run the Clean Washer cycle until after substantial residue accumulates or a foul odor occurs is too late.  I've seen complaints from people who run repeated cleaning cycles trying to get rid of odor and it didn't work because they waited too long.  The reminder notice that comes up every 30 cycles or monthly is to get the Clean Washer cycle run often enough to prevent a problem from occurring that the user can't solve without getting a serviceman involved to disassemble the washer.

 

[donprohel]

Other cleaning products than Affresh...

I would add dishwasher detergent to your list, DADoES / Glenn: powder is better than tablets, tablets are better than gel, and gel is better than PODs, but they all need to be use in high dose and with hot water to work

 

[DADoES]

 
For sure, a dishwasher detergent with enzymes is a good choice.  Dishwashers fill with less than 2 gallons of water so the dosage to effectively clean a topload washer should be increased considerably.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Citric acid

I highly recommend citric acid. 1 cup should do.
The clean washer cycle on your machine will likey work the best.

 

[jamiel]

Curious about what the cycle actually does...trying it on my cheap Amana seems to fill the tub to the brim and nothing else. Was thinking there might be some splashing/agitating/spinning or something. Did the cycle with TSP substitute...what a mess---precipitated calcium carbonate over everything.

 

[DADoES]

 
TSP, wrong chemical.  STPP is non-precipitating.

The tub clean cycle on my AquaSmarts and Intuitive Eco fills to max level with tap-hot water, agitates at maximum speed for a few minutes, soaks for two hours with a few seconds of agitation every few mins, agitates a few mins more, two deep rinses, short spin.

 

[ea56]

Re: #6

Jamie,
When I run the clean washer cycle on my Roper, which is the sister ship to your Amana it fills to the top with tap hot water. I add either 1 cup of LCB or a Washer Cleaning tablet like Affresh. Then the machine agitates for quite a while, drains, spins, refills to the top with rinse water, agitates for a fair amount of time, drains, and spins. The whole cycle takes over an hour, probably close to 90 mins, I’ve never actually timed it.

I usually run this cycle about every 4 mo. since I regularly wash with hot water and use LCB about once a week for whites so the chance of building up sludge in the outer tub isn’t has high as users that wash with cold or warm water, never use hot water or LCB. I’ve been following this routine for almost 4 years and no odors or other evidence of a sludge build up.

Eddie

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Clean Washer cycle

On the Maytag we are using, it uses a longer stroke. So the turbulence in the drum is stronger, however, the holes in the tub are so small that I am not sure it really matters. This cycle on this machine does NOT fill with tap hot water. It alternates between hot and cold about 50/50. Piss poor design.

 

[DADoES]

 
Enzymes (dishwasher detergent or other additive) may work better at moderate temperatures with long exposure (soaking time).

 

[donprohel]

Enzymes

Enzymes work with organic stuff, like fats or proteins: the grime in a washing machine is mainly detergent and fabric softener, which is not organic

And by the way, better to repeat again the wise words of DADoES / Glenn:
"Don't use more than one type of cleaner or chemical at a time. Some cleaners and chemicals cause dangerous fumes when mixed together."

 

[combo52]

Cleaning washing machines

Reply number 11,

( the grime in the washing machine is mainly detergent and fabric softener, which is not organic )

Maybe fabric softener and mineral buildup I have never seen detergent buildup in any washing machine except for detergent that spilled on the top of the machine and never got in the water, lol

Detergent, dissolves easily in just plain water, and never builds up in a machine.

John

 

[DADoES]

 
There was mineral residue in the outer tub but the greasy brown residue on exterior of the basket of mom's Kenmore DD that she used for six years until I swapped it again for another machine was not fabric softener (she uses liquid softener *very* seldom if at all) or mineral residue.  I had disassembled the machine for a repair and to clean it so I don't know how it would have responded to an in-place cleaning product.  I had already cleaned a small area before the first photo of the basket.