Whirlpool Brand Introduces Aspen Green Duet(R) Steam Pair

October 31, 2007

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (October 30, 2007) – Whirlpool brand, developer of the country’s best-selling front-load pair, introduces the next level of technology and thought leadership for laundry. The Whirlpool(R) Aspen Green Duet(R) Steam pair offers a dual steam solution, and even more insight and efficiency in a crisp new green package. “As an appliance innovator, Whirlpool brand is proud to introduce this new technology and help consumers use steam to get more done in the washer and dryer,” said John Alexander, VP and GM Brand Management, Whirlpool Corporation. “When we launched the original Duet pair, we changed the way people thought and felt about their laundry room. Given the affordable new technology and design of this pair, the potential is there to do it all over again.” Unlike other steam appliances that require manual filling, the dryer uses the washer’s water line to spray a fine mist on clothes, and the pair’s steam technology can be activated at the touch of a button. In addition, the washer is equipped with a six-point suspension system to reduce vibration and noise, allowing homeowners to install the pair closer to the living space or on an upper floor. Next Generation Cleaning The new Duet(R) Steam washer effortlessly removes stains from grass to grease, even sanitizing towels and sheets without the need for bleach. Furthermore, homeowners believe in the power of OxiClean(R) stain fighter, which now ranks as the No. 1 stain remover brand on the market*. A special timed-release dispenser option – a first for Whirlpool brand – optimizes the delivery of OxiClean(R) stain fighters. Addressing yet another homeowner need, the Duet Steam washer continues the legacy of eco-efficiency. The brand’s most energy efficient washer to date uses up to 73 percent less water and 77 percent less energy as compared to conventional top-loaders. And, the washer’s sanitization cycle designed to eliminate 99.9 percent of infectious bacteria. Next Generation Drying The advent of the Duet(R) Steam pair continues the cadence of innovation that began with the steam-enabled Fabric Freshener in 2005. Like its predecessor, the pair eases the laundry burden with immersive steam – a combination of mist and heat in the dryer – naturally steaming away tough odors and wrinkles without chemicals. With its Quick Refresh and Wrinkle Shield cycles, the Duet® Steam dryer offers a short-cut to ironing and odor removal, ensuring clothing comes out refreshed and dry. With 75 percent of clothes being dry-cleaned to remove wrinkles and odors – not stains, steam technology can reduce dry cleaning and save consumers time and money. In addition, consumers can now sanitize items such as stuffed animals, towels, bedding, and sleeping bags, an added benefit with the Sanitize cycle, which is designed to eliminate 99.9 percent of infectious bacteria. Next Generation Color In an industry bursting with color, Whirlpool brand’s crisp Aspen green is the first of a vibrant color palette rolled out over the laundry family. With 55 percent of laundry rooms on the first floor and 12 percent on the second floor**, laundry rooms continue to migrate out of the basement into the living areas of the home. Design trends continue to evolve and customization in homes including paints, fabrics, furniture, flooring and more calls for stylish and functional appliances that make a bold statement. Whirlpool color experts say a nature-inspired palette is exactly what homeowners are looking for. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht, and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building and design professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977. # # # * According to an OxiClean 2006 Attitude & Usage Study. **According to Whirlpool brand’s consumer laundry habits and practices 2004 research.

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