While offering lower consumption of water and energy use, some high efficiency (HE) washing machines develop a common problem--a foul odor that can potentially leave laundry smelling less than fresh, and HE owners less than pleased.

While offering lower consumption of water and energy use, some high efficiency (HE) washing machines develop a common problem--a foul odor that can potentially leave laundry smelling less than fresh, and HE owners less than pleased. After a few wash cycles, water that has not completely drained out of the machine can be left behind, creating a breeding ground for bad odors. According to Harold Baker, associate research fellow at The Clorox Company, bleach is the "mouthwash" for HE machines. The company suggests HE owners do a load with Clorox Plus High Efficiency Bleach, which is specially formulated for the greener washing machines and effective in eliminating those bad odors. "Clorox Plus High Efficiency Bleach makes it easy to integrate proper HE machine maintenance and cleaning into your existing laundry routine. Simply add bleach during white loads once a week to remove the first traces of scum accumulation while keeping whites their whitest," said Dr. Baker. More info: www.clorox.com