Best Washing Machine Cleaner: 5 Buys for a Spotless Washer

Even your washing machine needs a superb scrub each now and again, and using a washing machine cleaner is a straightforward and effective means to improve the cleanliness – and even lifespan – of one in every of your most-used appliances.

If you’re in search of the very best washing machine cleaner to help dislodge the dirt and detergent residue that builds up in your washing machine over time, while additionally maintaining the drum mildew-free and recent-smelling, keep reading.

This guide has our high-rated washing machine cleaners for effectiveness, ease of use, and value. Not only do these products remove dirt and unpleasant odors, but they also kill germs and mold spores, making your washing machine as good as new once more. They won’t harm your washer, either.

Take a look at our number of the best washing machine cleaners to buy right now and don’t miss our information to the very best washing machine, too.

One of the best washing machine cleaners

Why you can trust Actual Houses Our skilled reviewers spend hours testing and comparing services and products so you possibly can choose the best for you. Discover out more about how we take a look at.

1. OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters

OxiClean’s Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters will assist keep your laundry smelling recent by eradicating odor-inflicting buildup.

If you have ever taken your clear laundry out of the washing machine solely to search out that it still would not smell very fresh, a dirty washing machine could be the wrongdoer. This OxiClean washing machine cleaner is specifically designed to breakdown the buildup that causes musty odors within the washing machine, and it makes good on its promise.

While it has anti-microbial properties thanks to its energetic ingredients (sodium percarbonate and disodium carbonate), it’s nonetheless septic-system protected when used as directed.

Finally, this product is added-fragrance free, so is nice for those with pores and skin sensitivities, and it does not leave behind a strong smell.

The cleaner comes in powder type in a small packet. It is easy to use (and also you only must do it as soon as a month-ish). Simply add the contents of the packet to your washer drum and run the clear cycle (or if your machine doesn’t have a pre-programmed clean cycle, run a normal wash cycle with hot water).

Don’t add laundry or other detergent in the course of the clean cycle. Then, leave the door open so the machine can air out and dry. When the cycle is completed, wipe the drum, door, rubber gaskets and seals clear of any residue.

This is a good upkeep cleaner, particularly when you’ve got a front-loader that tends to get that signature mildew scent, but when you are dealing with a strong odor (for example, for those who left your wet clothes in the washing machine for just a few days), you may want to use one pouch per week for 3 weeks for one of the best outcomes.

2. Affresh Washer Cleaner – 5 Pack

The Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner (opens in new tab) is the same product to the OxiClean model. They have related active elements (the Affresh cleaner users sodium carbonate, OxiClean uses sodium percarobonate), which each create an effervescent cleansing foam, except the Affresh cleaner comes in tab form. Just like the OxiClean cleaner, Affresh’s washing machine cleaner has rave critiques from across the internet.

This product is awesome for getting rid of on a regular basis mold and mildew smells that tend to build up while you leave the washing machine door closed for simply somewhat bit too lengthy. It additionally has a gentle, lemon-y scent that’s pleasant however not overpowering and would not linger for a number of wash cycles (something we have found with quite a few other washing machine cleaner brands).

Notice that some reviewers say the pill doesn’t full dissolve in a single wash cycle (choosing a hot water setting should help, although). We have not skilled this once we tried it, but it is why this cleaner was barely nudged out by the OxiClean model, because the powder components utterly dissolves every time.

Merely pop the tab into your machine’s drum, whether it is a entrance or high-loader, and run a cleaning cycle or normal wash cycle on sizzling. Then, wipe the inside of the machine down when the cycle is completed.

For best outcomes use once a month within the washing machine on its own and let the system reach hidden areas, killing bacteria and getting rid of any unhealthy odors to depart your machine – and laundry – smelling fresh.

3. Glisten Washer Machine Cleaner, Contemporary Scent

The Glisten liquid washing machine cleaner (opens in new tab) removes mineral and detergent construct-up along with mildew and odors.

If you reside in an area with arduous water, mineral buildup or limescale can shorten the life of your washing machine. This cleaner tackles each mineral residue, as well as odor causing buildup.

Many reviewers also noted that this cleaner got here advisable to them from service technicians or friends who’d used it with nice results.

To start out, pour the product on a clear cloth and wipe out the machine’s rubber seals or any laborious-to-attain areas where buildup has accumulated. Then, run the machine on a clear cycle or normal cycle utilizing the hot water setting. Then, should you own a entrance-loader, pour a half-a-cup of the cleaner into your machine’s detergent dispenser, or should you own a top-loader, pour it straight into the drum (like all washing machine cleaners, don’t add clothes or detergent when cleaning your machine). It is really helpful to use this cleaner month-to-month.

A implausible preventative solution for new washers, especially in case you choose using low temperature wash cycles that don’t dissolve detergent as easily as a hot wash, which in flip leaves a residue behind. It’s also an incredible maintenance cleaner for washers that take lots of put on and tear thanks to heavily soiled uniforms, day by day a great deal of children clothing, hard water, and many others.

4. Hiwill Washing Machine Cleaner Effervescent Tablets

If you are on the lookout for a value product that will get results, take a look at the Hiwill Washing Machine Cleaner (opens in new tab). It’s a generic cleaner that’s available only on Amazon, but reviewers love it for its efficacy and comparatively low worth.

Why we like it

For one, it’s a finances-friendly decide. The producer also features common coupons on Amazon (we recently saw one for 30 p.c off) so the price can get even decrease. If you only want two, one field of cleaner will final you more than a 12 months and price just $1.37 per cleaning. The tablets is available in a large 32-pack, and it’s recommended you employ two or three tabs per cleaning.

It also claims to tackle every thing from mildew and mites, to rust and grease. Plus, it’s unscented, which is a plus for anyone with delicate pores and skin or who would not use fragranced products.

This product requires a slightly extra involved approach that is designed to assist deep clean your machine. After you add the tabs to your washer and start the cycle, it is really useful that you just pause the washer when the water stage is at it is highest level so the cleaner can soak for two-to-three hours.

After soaking, resume the wash cycle and let it full as common.

A wonderful selection for Amazon Prime members in search of a value product and a deep clear.

5. Eco-Gals Eco Swirlz Washing Machine Cleaner

The Eco-Gals Eco Swirlz Washing Machine Cleaner (opens in new tab) is designed to clean both the drum and drainage system of your washing machine with eco-pleasant elements.

Why we prefer it:

This cleaner uses an identical energetic ingredient to the OxiClean and Affresh cleaners (sodium percarbonate), which is an eco-pleasant compound. But, the Eco-Gals product comprises few different ingredients, and all of them are earth-pleasant. We double checked them on the Environmental Working Group webpage’s to make sure.

Moreover being green, this product works like a charm, too.

How to make use of it

Like most of the other cleaners on this listing, you merely add the product to your washer drum and run a sizzling wash or clean cycle. The one distinction with this one is that you’ve to add two tabs every time you clear, as a substitute of only one.

This is a good pick for these in search of an environmentally-pleasant product that’ll keep their machine clean.

What are the very best washing machine cleaners to purchase?

To give you our record of the best of one of the best, we used a combination of person evaluations and our private expertise. We also took under consideration the value per clear (calculated by dividing the price by the number of instances you can clean your machine with one package deal)

Our prime choose? OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters. It’s also the one we buy again and again thanks to its effectiveness, safety, and low worth. It not only cleans inside the equipment but helps to protect the washer by eradicating residue buildup, and it has an nearly-good 4.7 out of 5 stars from reviews on both Target.com and Walmart.

Can’t get your palms on the OxiClean version? Reviewers love it, and it’s received tons of of five-star opinions on Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, and more. The Affresh Washer Cleaner (opens in new tab) offers related results at a comparable worth point.

How we examined one of the best washing machine cleaner

Now we have had arms-on expertise with a number of the products within this guide and are working to sample each one among them, as a way to offer you the most rounded image of their skills, as you could find out on our evaluations web page. The place we haven’t been capable of sample merchandise but, now we have checked specifications fastidiously and checked person reviews to ensure that these who have tried it within their houses assume highly of them.

How to purchase the very best washing machine cleaner

By maintaining the inside of the washing machine clear, you’ll benefit from an appliance that won’t break down every few years or need a brand new part, which in flip saves you cash and hassle in the long term. Here is what to search for in a great washing machine cleaner.

Does it tackle buildup?

So as to maintain your washing machine working correctly, it’s important to wash the inside repeatedly. Not only does this deal with any unpleasant odors resulting from moisture, mold and mildew, but it may also help prevent detergent residue and mineral build-up, the enemy of any equipment that makes use of water, especially if you live in a hard water space.

Does it deal with odors?

A good washing machine cleaner will sort out odors inside the equipment attributable to soap scum, grease and grime from clothes, which can in flip leave your laundry smelling contemporary.

Does it kill germs?

Look for a cleaner that doubles up, eradicating stinky odors in addition to descaling, cleansing and serving to to protect plastic internal workings and the drum itself is smart. But some options are antimicrobial, too, killing germs at the same time, whereas others can also be utilized in dishwashers.

Alternatives to washing machine cleaner

All the washing machine cleaners on our list will do a great job of cleansing your appliances. Our prime picks for this process are baking soda and dishwasher tablets. Having stated that, there’s plenty of room to experiment with DIY washing machine cleaners. Simply put either (or each!) into your washing machine tray and run your machine on the most well liked cycle. Should you already own a dishwasher, that’s one less product you want to purchase.