Whirlpool - Affresh Roadmap

Student: Claire Greenlees, 2023-2024

For more than a generation, Whirlpool has consistently delivered a diverse range of novel appliances across the globe with an aim to improve the lives of consumers, starting in the home. While Whirlpool appliances are built to last, there are many extrinsic factors that contribute to the appliances themselves becoming dirty and inefficient. From appliances with various odors to inefficient dishwashers, many of the issues lie in the misconception that the appliances we use to clean are in fact clean themselves. To remedy this issue, Whirlpool created the Affresh appliance care products, which “have been designed to deliver easy and effective solutions to cleaning appliances, especially deep inside where odor-causing residue and buildup can affect machine performance.” Even though Affresh appliance care products have been on the market for over fifteen years, there are a few key areas of improvement this capstone project seeks to address. First, current homeowners & appliance users will be interviewed, as there is a lack of understanding as to what consumers are looking for in appliance cleaning products. Second, research on topics of sustainability, scents, and certifications will be conducted to determine the applicable trends in each prospective category. Third, an assessment of the validity of transitioning to fully sustainable packing will be evaluated. Compiling this information will help create a redefined Affresh Roadmap.