Shortly after college, my wife and I rented our first apartment together. One of the cool things that comes with “Adulting” was having our very own first washer and dryer. My Wife’s father had been working at their family owned appliance store since he was 17 and my Mr. Appliance Father-In-Law was gracious enough to give us a new set for our new apartment. I never thought a washer looked cool; in fact, I don’t think I ever had a single thought about a washing machine until we were given this washer and dryer set that looked like it was from outer space. It was a “Front Load Washer”, pretty cool I thought. It also came with some care and use instructions from Mr. Appliance Father-In-Law that we both completely ignored. Then, in the not-too-distant future, our washing machine developed a strong odor that we started noticing in the clothes we were washing. At that point my wife decided that we would never get a front load washing machine again.
So What Was The Problem?
Well the first problem with this story was that we did not listen to Mr. Appliance Father-In-Law; slight "Adulting" fail there. Now that I also work for him and sell appliances, I have learned that the problem is moisture trapped in the tub which is completely sealed air-tight when the door is closed. The solution to that is laid out perfectly in this article. The main two solutions are to:
- Leave the door open and
- Wipe down the gasket and back of the washer after each load.
I have also learned that our experience was not unusual. When customers are shopping for washers and dryers in our showroom I frequently hear them say that despite the increased capacity, water/energy savings, and cool looking design they will not even consider a front load because they all stink up your clothes. Well now that I am Mr. Appliance Son-In-Law, I get excited to tell them that it was actually their fault and they just didn’t read the care and use manual! Okay, I don’t say that but something to that effect, way less insulting. They kindly remind me that they’ve been doing laundry since before I was born, they follow all of the directions and it still gets smelly… Well not sure what to say to that, I proudly show them top load options of my favorite washer and dryer manufacturer, Speed Queen. In fact that is what my wife and I currently own. That is what I have done until GE has come out with a new solution to prevent odor build up in 2020!
GE’s New Ultra Fresh Vent System
Toward the end of 2019, GE Appliances announced a new revolutionary laundry system designed to help prevent odor in their front load washers. “Our new UltraFresh Front Load washer is the first in the industry to solve for the issues that lead to stink, making care and maintenance along with the laundry chores much easier for the consumer” said Peter Pepe, Vice President of Product Management for laundry at GE Appliances. So, what is GE’s solution to this problem? Well in GE’s own words, it is to DRAIN, Dry, and Defend.
Other Cool Features- Drain the residual water: Moisture is the enemy when it comes to keeping a washer fresh and clean. GE Appliances developed a wider gasket that is angled to allow water to fully drain after the wash cycle.
- Dry while keeping the do closed: The new UltraFresh Vent System with OdorBlock creates a revolutionary new airflow at the touch of a button. After the wash cycle, the unit pulls in and circulates fresh air, removing moisture from the door, gasket and basket.
- Defend with excusive Microban technology: The global leader in antimicrobial additives and odor control solutions developed a unique antimicrobial technology exclusively for the GE UltraFresh Front Load washers. Microban’s technology is built into the gasket, dispenser and pump during manufacturing to help prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria in parts of the washer where moisture could linger.
The features of the new GE Front Load washers don’t stop there. In another article we break down all of the features and differences within the lineup, but below is a summary of the exciting features they have.
· SmartDispense: Save Time and make laundry effortless with an intelligent dispenser that holds up to 32 loads of detergent and automatically dispenses the right amount each time
· 1 Step Wash + Dry: Wash and dry a small load eliminating a need to transfer clothes to the dryer
· Dynamic Balancing Technology: Ge’s patented, time saving technology senses and re-balances uneven loads during the spin cycle, providing a quiet wash.
· Reversible Washer Door: This is the first washer door I have seen that can be reversed.
· Washer Link: Wirelessly link your washer to your dryer so you only choose a setting once
· New Colors: GE introduces new colors to their lineup- Satin Nickel and Sapphire Blue to go along with white and the fan favorite, Diamond Gray.
Cost Considerations
The new washers will retail from $899 to $1,199 but will be sold at a lower price at Builders’ Sales & Service as our goal is to help customers pick the right product at the right price. If shopping in the DFW market, you can always call our number 817-457-7900 or go to www.builders-sales.com and click “request a quote” to get our best price. To go directly to the model with the ultra fresh feature, click on the models listed below:
