Whirlpool Ousts Odors and Wrinkles from Wardrobes

January 2005 -- Consumers can now push a button instead pushing an iron to improve the look of their clothing with the new Whirlpool Fabric Freshener. The Fabric Freshener is the only portable appliance that releases wrinkles and odors from fabrics in about 30 minutes with the power of immersive steam.

When a sweater smells stale or a suit has been crumpled, the Fabric Freshener does the work of an iron and steamer without the manual labor. Consumers simply place up to two clothing items inside the appliance's garment bag, fill the reservoir with water, zip the bag, press the button and then get on with life.

"According to the Clothing Care National Habits and Practices survey, 75 percent of clothes that are sent to the dry cleaner are to remove wrinkles and odors - not to remove visible stains," said Laura Hall, Whirlpool brand manager. "The Fabric Freshener directly addresses this by enabling consumers to extend the period between dry cleanings to help save time, effort and money."

A combination of heat and steam helps release wrinkles from common fabrics like wool, silk, polyester, rayon, cotton and linen. In addition, that same combination reaches a temperature and steam level just high enough in an enclosed Fabric Freshener that it tackles odors from smoke, food, pets and perfume. And since the Fabric Freshener uses no chemicals or detergents - just plain water, clothing will look new longer.

The Fabric Freshener delivers convenience even down to its design. Whether a consumer lives in a city studio or sprawling suburban estate, the Fabric Freshener is compact and portable so it's an ideal fit for every living situation. When fully upright, it stands approximately 58 inches high, 33 inches wide and 12 inches deep. When not in use, the unit can be collapsed to the size of a small vacuum (approximately 10 inches high, 33 inches wide and 12 inches deep) for easy storage and portability.

Available exclusively at Best Buy in late spring 2005, the Whirlpool Fabric Freshener will have an MSRP of $219. Consumers can obtain more information on the Fabric Freshener by visiting www.whirlpool.com.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation