What is in Affresh ice machine cleaner?

Author: Onie Daniel  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Ingredients in affresh® ice machine cleaner
  • Water.
  • Sodium Bisulfate, a descaler and pH adjuster.
  • Citric Acid, a pH adjuster and descaler.
  • Colorants (Acid Green 9 and Acid Yellow 23)

What is a good substitute for ice machine cleaner?

While an approved ice machine cleaner is most recommended for Whirlpool® refrigerator and freestanding models, a homemade half and half solution of water and distilled white vinegar can be used as a substitute when cleaning your ice maker at home.

Can you make your own affresh washing machine cleaner?

As an alternative to a formulated washer tub cleaning product like Affresh, you can use a DIY washing machine cleaner to clean and sanitize the inside of the tub with a combination of white vinegar and baking soda, or liquid chlorine bleach (be aware that vinegar and bleach should never be used together).

What chemical is used to clean ice machines?

A cleaner like a food-grade, 85% phosphoric acid cleaner will do just fine. Manitowoc ice machines (and most ice machines from other brands) use a nickel-plated evaporator plate that requires a nickel-safe ice maker cleaner.

What can you use instead of affresh?

Here are some options: White vinegar and baking soda: A mixture of white vinegar and baking soda is a popular and effective alternative to Affresh. Simply add 1 cup of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser or directly into the drum, and then add 1/2 cup of baking soda.

affresh® How-To | Ice Machine Cleaner

What are the active ingredients in affresh?

Although every formula is different, the main active ingredients in affresh® tablets are sodium carbonate (washing soda) and sodium percarbonate (oxygen-based bleach). These septic-safe ingredients cut through grime, remove residues that cause odors, and rinse away as oxygen and water.

Can I use bleach instead of affresh to clean my washing machine?

Step 3: Run a Clean Washer cycle

Place washing machine cleaner into your washer according to the package instructions, then select a Clean Washer cycle on the washer's control panel. Let the cycle run until it is complete. If you are out of affresh® washing machine cleaner, you can use liquid chlorine bleach.

What is the best cleaner for ice machines?

Make a cleaning solution with a 10:1 ratio of warm water and one of these ingredients: white vinegar, lemon juice, nickel-free ice machine cleaner, or other cleaning agent recommended by the manufacturer. Wash the ice machine's interior walls and hard-to-reach areas, such as the slot where ice comes out.

What can I run through my ice machine to clean it?

Vinegar is a food-safe alternative to cleaning solutions designed for the ice maker. To use it, pour a 10-part white distilled vinegar ratio to one part water into the water reservoir. Run the cleaning cycle.

Can you use CLR in an ice machine?

The acids in our product are not compatible with the components of ice makers.

What happens if you don't clean your washer with affresh?

Without proper care, this buildup can create a moldy or mildew smell. That grime and buildup in your washer can also get left behind on your clothing and lead to that musty smell. It's hard to get clean clothes from a dirty washer.

What is the best natural cleaner for washing machines?

White wine vinegar, in particular, is great for dispelling odours. You can either add some to the drum and run an empty cycle or spray it onto a cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior of your machine. Bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is also a great household item for cleaning and removing smells.

What to use instead of affresh in the dishwasher?

After the cycle with vinegar is complete, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and run a hot water cycle. That's all it takes for a clean, fresh-smelling dishwasher!

Can I use vinegar to clean an ice machine?

Alternatively, you can also use a mixture of one part warm water and one part vinegar to wipe clean the ice maker. Once wiped completely, dry thoroughly with a clean, dry dish towel.

What is the yellow stuff in my ice maker?

Discolouration: A buildup of mineral deposits in the machine's water supply can cause discolouration of the ice cubes, resulting in cloudy, yellow, or brown-coloured ice cubes.

What do you clean a commercial ice machine with?

Nyco® Ice Machine Cleaner is NSF certified, meaning it meets the rigorous standards of the National Sanitation Foundation for protecting customer health. Allow cleaner to remain on surfaces to dissolve scale and deposits; scrub stubborn deposits as needed. Rinse with fresh water. Wipe dry and apply sanitizing solution.

What happens if you don't clean an ice machine?

Increased Risk of Contamination

Dirty ice machines provide an ideal environment for the growth of harmful bacteria, including pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella. As these microorganisms proliferate, they can contaminate the ice produced, posing a significant health risk to consumers.

How often should an ice machine be deep cleaned?

Clean Twice a Year – Every 6 Months

However, depending on the type of ice machine and its location, it may need deep cleaning every three months. It is critical that you clean all areas of your ice machine from the interior, exterior and compressor, to the ice machine's storage bin.

What is the black stuff in my countertop ice maker?

The appearance of black specks in your ice is typically not a cause for alarm. These particles are just the benign result of normal graphite wear within the machine. By understanding this process and how to manage it, you can continue to enjoy safe, clean ice.

What is a substitute for ice machine cleaner?

If you don't have affresh® ice machine cleaner at home, cleaning your ice machine with vinegar is another option. Make a mix of 10 parts water to one part distilled white vinegar and pour this into the water reservoir.

What can I run through my ice maker to clean it?

Pour cleaning solution — either ice machine cleaner or Battista's recommended one-to-one white vinegar and water solution — into the water reservoir, plug the machine back in, and run a full cleaning cycle.

Are all ice machine cleaners the same?

While some cleaners are general purpose, others are specifically designed to clean specific brands of ice machines. For instance, Manitowoc and Hoshizaki made ice makers and machine evaporators require different cleaners. Manitowoc requires a nickel-safe cleaner.

What is a substitute for affresh?

You can't go wrong with vinegar and baking soda - it's probably the most popular alternative to Affresh, and for good reason.

Can I use vinegar with affresh?

It doesn't change the effectiveness of it if that's what you're wondering :) A: Yes, but since you will use more water you might have to double up on the Affresh. Good luck! May be less expensive to just use vinegar and baking soda.

Can I make my own washing machine cleaner?

You can use a mold-and-mildew cleaner or try vinegar and baking soda. This combination is a budget-friendly and natural way to get rid of the odors caused by detergent residue or mildew. Vinegar and baking soda can also unclog buildup in your washer's drain. Start with an empty and dry washing machine.

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