Anyone used the new Tide HE washer cleaning tablets?

[rcraw45425]

I saw these today in Publix,
http://tide.com/en-US/product/tide-washing-machine-cleaner.jspx

I am running my first Affresh tablet right now, wonder if anyone has used the Tide ones and if they work as good/better. My Publix had the TIde ones for $5.99 for three, whereas Lowes charges around $7.50 for three Affresh.

 

[needpixiedust]

I haven't even seen these here yet, We've never had a problem, just run a clean out load with vinegar every once in a while and use tide with febreeze for regular loads.

Do you think the freshening tablets are worth the expense? Does the smell last a long time afterwards? And if so, is there any residue which could get on clothes?

 

[NewCrew42]

I just wash my cleaning rags with bleach on the sanitary cycle. I couldn't tell any difference using the cleaning tablets.

I do live in a humid climate. Even though my laundry room is air conditioned, I really have to work to keep that funky smell from creeping in during the summer months.

 

[rcraw45425]

My washer is only three months old, this is the first time I've used a tablet at all, just trying to be proactive this time around. WHen I bought my Whirlpool Calypso (aka the P.O.S), no one told me anything. I found out about the class action suit against it too late to participate. This time, with the Duet, I'm asking questions and following all the rules. I also didn't purchase the Duet from Sears, but rather from my local Brand Source store, can't bet their customer service. Any way, I have been leaving the door ajar and so far have noticed no smell whatsoever, just thought it wouldn't hurt to run one through, plus it (the Affresh) smells really nice! I'll let you know how long the smell remains in my laundry room.

 

[needpixiedust]

So whole laundry room smells nice? That'd be great for me, my laundry is in far end of large kitchen area.

 

[rcraw45425]

So whole laundry room smells nice? That'd be great for me, my laundry is in far end of large kitchen area.

Well, the smell dissipated, laundry room smells the same, not bad or anything but no lemon-y odor. I decided after runing the tablet to run a rinse/spin cycle to take care of any residue, although everything felt fine to me. I always leave my door open, have never noticed an odor other than Tide/Downy/bleach.

 

[TiredX2]

We do our whites with vinegar and ocassional run an empty load on hot with vinegar (like 5 times in the last 5 years). We try to leave the door open often.

Yesterday we had a check-up (bought the protection plan, have never had an issue and it expires in 10 days) and the guy said whatever we were doing--- keep doing it. No issues.

Oh, and we're in Western WA, so a very damp, mildew prone area.

 

[lisabarr]

My washer is only three months old, this is the first time I've used a tablet at all, just trying to be proactive this time around. WHen I bought my Whirlpool Calypso (aka the P.O.S), no one told me anything. I found out about the class action suit against it too late to participate.

I also had a collapso luckily, I got in on the class action suit and still had the extended warranty (5yrs) Sears gave me $1300 toards a new washer. Well, can't buy the washer and not the dryer so, $2700 later I am the proud owner of something I can't remember the name too but it's a front loader and I always keep the door open to elminate odors.

 

[rcraw45425]

I also had a collapso luckily, I got in on the class action suit and still had the extended warranty (5yrs) Sears gave me $1300 toards a new washer. Well, can't buy the washer and not the dryer so, $2700 later I am the proud owner of something I can't remember the name too but it's a front loader and I always keep the door open to elminate odors.

Glad someone was able to benefit from the suit! Mine was about six months past the 5 year warranty! Story of my life

 

[janiejake]

We do our whites with vinegar and ocassional run an empty load on hot with vinegar (like 5 times in the last 5 years). We try to leave the door open often.

Yesterday we had a check-up (bought the protection plan, have never had an issue and it expires in 10 days) and the guy said whatever we were doing--- keep doing it. No issues.

Oh, and we're in Western WA, so a very damp, mildew prone area.

So, how much vinegar are you running through? Are you filling just the detergent dispenser with it, or both the detergent and the 'bleach' area with the vinegar? Or, are you putting it right into the barrel? I did buy the Tide tablets, but I'd sure like a less expensive route. (found mine at Target).

 

[rcraw45425]

So, how much vinegar are you running through? Are you filling just the detergent dispenser with it, or both the detergent and the 'bleach' area with the vinegar? Or, are you putting it right into the barrel? I did buy the Tide tablets, but I'd sure like a less expensive route. (found mine at Target).

same here, you can purchase a whole lot of vinegar for $6!

 

[cajunmommy]

I haven't seen the Tide version here yet, but I did use the free Affresh that came with my Duet purchase.

Can't speak for other models, but my Duet has a Clean cycle which only requires bleach. I've been running that one about once a month, and the washer still smells fine.

I've been diligent about wiping down the door & gasket area, emptying/drying out the detergent tray, and leaving the tray & door ajar once my loads for the week are done (I'll run my 8-10 loads / week straight through on the weekends). This was recommended by the sales person, and echoed in most of the research I read.

Although I only have to do these things once or twice a week, they really are an annoyance. You would think the manufacturers would have come up with a better solution by now.

 

[BigMike10]

on my washer too. I think I will stick with the vinegar from now on as the tablets are expensive. If I had a brand new expensive washer, I might use the tablets just to be proactive with the smell problem. To me the tablets smell like Cascade diswashing powder. I would love to know what is in the tablets, they seem very citrusy. We STILL have our Calypso washer and missed the class action suit as well. I can not tell you how many times I have had to have it repaired. Everytime they tell us to use less soap. I think we are down to about a thimble full. Can't wait to be able to buy a new one.

 

[m&m's mom]

I have had my Neptune front loaders for about 5 years. I have never done any maintenance (wait for the thread where I ask for the best new FL when I have to buy a new set soon ).
I do not leave it open, I have never run any special cycle w/ bleach or vinegar. I have no mold or funky small and I am in fairly humid Texas.
But, I also am not tempting fate. I will do one of these this weekend.

 

[cats mom]

My friend tried the Tide cleaner, she said the smell was really strong and just wouldn't go away, so I passed on it.

Every few months I run an empty cycle on the sanitize setting (hottest water I can get) with powdered dishwashing soap. Apparently the dishwashing soap breaks down enzymes and cleans out gunk building up in the washer that laundry soap doesn't.

So far so good, but I wasn't having problems when I started the routine either. Just trying to be proactive.

I left my "stinker" behind when I moved (an old Neptune that was part of a class action suit)

 

[rcraw45425]

I haven't seen the Tide version here yet, but I did use the free Affresh that came with my Duet purchase.

Can't speak for other models, but my Duet has a Clean cycle which only requires bleach. I've been running that one about once a month, and the washer still smells fine.

I've been diligent about wiping down the door & gasket area, emptying/drying out the detergent tray, and leaving the tray & door ajar once my loads for the week are done (I'll run my 8-10 loads / week straight through on the weekends). This was recommended by the sales person, and echoed in most of the research I read.

Although I only have to do these things once or twice a week, they really are an annoyance. You would think the manufacturers would have come up with a better solution by now.

My Duet also has the clean cycle, I've never run it with bleach, when I used the Affresh was the first time I used the cycle

 

[rcraw45425]

on my washer too. I think I will stick with the vinegar from now on as the tablets are expensive. If I had a brand new expensive washer, I might use the tablets just to be proactive with the smell problem. To me the tablets smell like Cascade diswashing powder. I would love to know what is in the tablets, they seem very citrusy. We STILL have our Calypso washer and missed the class action suit as well. I can not tell you how many times I have had to have it repaired. Everytime they tell us to use less soap. I think we are down to about a thimble full. Can't wait to be able to buy a new one.

I never had them out for my Calypso, it started out with little annoying things like suds lock error, so I'd have to rerun the entire cycle. Then I started flipping the breaker to end vthe cycle. The final straw was when it stopped draining and I had a tub full of water and bluejeans, I wound up hand wringing and just drying them, yuck. That was the end. The only thing Sears offered was to send out a repair person at my cost. One sales person said they were offering full cost replacement, then others there said no, just repair with me paying. Last Sears appliance purchase for me!

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Can someone fill me in on what you are talking about?

I have a front load washer. Frigedaire, I think. I don't have any issues that I know of.

 

[rcraw45425]

Lots of people with front loads tend to have washers and eventually clothing that smells like mildew, due for the most part to leaving the washer closed when not in use, allowing the gasket to deverlop mold. These products, Affresh and the Tide HE washer cleaning tablets, supposedly help alleviate this problem. A lot of people on this board also use vinegar and/or bleach to combat the problem. Hope this clears up your confusion.