Periodic Shock Treatment Methods
These are the directions for the periodic shock treatments suggested by the machine manufacturers:
Chlorine Treatment Directions:
Add
1 to 2 cups of liquid bleach to directly to the tub without any laundry in
the tub. Run the longest, hottest cycle available on your machine.
Chlorine acts by “burning” the cell walls
of the mold or mildew. The cells rupture and they die. This method only affects the very top surface of the mold or mildew
build-up. It must be repeated as needed. It requires an extra, large, hot and empty load .
While this method can be effective in killing the organisms it also attacks
the seals and gaskets of the machine. The amount needed to control the growth is much more than the amount needed to
brighten laundry. So, the machines are not designed to handle too much of this type of shock.
This is similar to the chlorine shock treatment used on swimming pools. Somwtimes the water is cleared
up but the walls can still be slippery.
Small black flecks and/or really small
globs of goo found on the laundry is an indication that the seal has failed and some of the waterproof bearing grease is leaking
into the drum during machine use. Of course, the black flecks could be mold too.
Baking
soda and vinegar treatment directions:
No,
you don’t add them at the same time or you will get the “foaming volcano” effect seen in so many chemistry
classes. But it could be entertaining!!!
Add 1 to 2 cups of baking soda directly to the empty tub. Add the vinegar to the final rinse or softener dispenser
without any laundry in the tub. Run the longest, hottest cycle available on your machine.Baking soda will increase the pH
(slightly caustic) and vinegar will decrease the pH (slightly acidic). This may affect the growth of mold and mildew. Once
again, this method only affects the very top layers of the mold or mildew build-up. It must be repeated as needed. It requires
an extra, large, hot and empty load.
Maybe the baking soda penetrates
a little under the surface of the build up and then the vinegar causes it to bubble up and release the gunk. Interesting scenario
but I have no idea if it is actually happening. Maybe the manufacturers that suggested this know something. But, I have never
heard of it working effectively.
It has also been suggested to me that the
baking soda does not do much. It is the vinegar that does the cleaning. However, it was also suggested that it will take at
least 1 or 2 quarts (or more) of vinegar to be effective. This actually makes more sense than the baking soda combination.
Commercial Products:
If the inexpensive methods do not work, there are other products that are said to work. Two I have
tried are: Affresh which contains an oxidizer, an acid and an awful lot of fragrance and is made by Whirlpool with
no guarantee, and Pure Washer which contains an acid and other material from smellywasher.com with a 60 day guarantee.
(Update: Tide now has a cleaner that is essentailly the same as Affresh in the way it works.) These are more expensive
than the basic methods.
All of these products create a solution that is meant to remove the soap film build up that provides the food source
for the nasties. They all will actually remove the build up to some extent depending on the amount of build up in your machine.
Any of them could be effective in your situation. Fragrance is used in case the removal is not effective.
The problem with shock treatments is that the mold, mildew, and bacterial slime continue
to grow in the machine between treatments. So, even if the monthly shock treatment is effective, you are still contaminating
your laundry as the build up of the nasties continues through the month again.
None
of the shock treatments worked for me. Most of my customers have not had success with the shock treatments either.
Nu Fresh will work when the other methods don't.
Nu Fresh comes
with a money back guarantee.
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Everyone uses a different combination of detergent and softener.
Everyone uses different amounts. All of the makes and models of machines have different internal designs. So, no one method is the "correct" method to control
the odors. To be the most effective at controlling the odors, you should read all the pages of this web site. As long as you
understand what is going on, you have a better chance of being successful in the long run.
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So, why in the world am I giving you the basic treatment information
if it could cut into the sales of Nu Fresh?
Well, I am an
environmentalist.These HE machines really conserve water and electricity, and I want them to be successful.
Besides, I think
a lot of you will come around to Nu Fresh eventually, after you have to rewash a few loads of clothes because the smells
have come back before you got around to the next shock treatment.
By the way, Nu Fresh will get mold
and mildew odors out of clothing or any other washable materials if the other methods have let you down.
Nu Fresh is safe to use with any fabric. Nu Fresh will completely flush out fabrics in the
rinse cycle. You can confirm this when you rinse your hands after getting some Nu Fresh on them. At first, it will feel
slippery. Then it will quickly rinse clean.
