What is the best washing machine cleaner for bad smell?

Author: Gwen McGlynn  |  Last update: Thursday, August 14, 2025

Our top choice for the best washing machine cleaner is OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner With Odor Blasters for its fresh scent, inexpensive price, and overall cleaning power. If you prefer a powder cleaner with eco-friendly ingredients, we recommend Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner.

How do I get rid of the horrible smell in my washing machine?

Use Vinegar and Baking Soda: Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum. Add 1 cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run a hot water cycle (usually the clean cycle if your machine has one). Commercial Cleaners: Alternatively, you can use a washing machine cleaner designed to remove odors and residue.

What can I put in my washing machine to stop it from smelling?

  • Baking Soda -1/4 cup of baking soda with an equal amount of water. Add this solution to your machine's detergent.
  • Vinegar -Pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum,

What is the best top load washing machine cleaner tablet?

Final Verdict

Our top pick for a washing machine cleaner is the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner. These tablets are easy to use and compatible with all types of washing machines.

Do washing machine cleaning tablets really work?

Yes! Cleaner tablets are specifically formulated to target and eliminate these odors by breaking down organic residues and disinfecting the interior surfaces of your machine. You can expect fresher, cleaner-smelling laundry after using these tablets.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE !! (QUICK & EASY)

What is the best washing machine cleaner and deodorizer?

Our top choice for the best washing machine cleaner is OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner With Odor Blasters for its fresh scent, inexpensive price, and overall cleaning power. If you prefer a powder cleaner with eco-friendly ingredients, we recommend Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner.

What is the best thing to run through a washing machine to clean it?

Use a combination of white vinegar and baking soda to naturally clean your washing machine; pour half a cup of baking soda into the drum followed by two cups of vinegar in the detergent dispenser, then run a hot wash cycle. For stubborn grime and odors, consider commercial washing machine cleaners.

What is the best product to deep clean a washing machine?

The Calgon Hygiene Plus Washing Machine Cleaner & Limescale Remover stands out as our top pick. Its powerful formula tackles limescale, odours, and detergent buildup with ease while protecting vital components like the drum and pipes.

What is better than Affresh?

You can't go wrong with vinegar and baking soda - it's probably the most popular alternative to Affresh, and for good reason. Here's what you do: grab a cup of baking soda and two cups of white vinegar, then put them right in your washing machine's drum. Run it on hot water, and these two ingredients will get to work.

Which washing machine cleans better?

Best for Cleaning Power and Preserving Clothes: Front-Load Washer.

Why does my washing machine still smell after it's been cleaned?

These include a combination of mould, mildew and bacteria. However, that's not where it ends. There is also body oil, dirt, hair and scum. All these can get trapped in the gasket, seal and detergent dispenser to leave a not-so-fresh-smelling result.

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

“For removing odors, I would say vinegar.” Some people, however, prefer white vinegar because it's not as harsh as bleach. Unless, of course, your washing machine has been completely neglected, and is now a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and you want a power cleaner.

How do you neutralize smelly laundry?

You can also add about a half cup of baking soda along with detergent to your wash to help neutralize odors. Distilled white vinegar: Mix vinegar with hot water and allow the clothing item to soak from an hour to overnight, depending on the odor.

What can I put in my washing machine to stop it smelling?

Set the machine to a hot cycle and add a cup of bicarbonate of soda & vinegar to the drum. The mixture will help clean your drum. Leaving your machine door open slightly after each wash allows air to circulate the drum. This helps to stop germs breeding and reduces any unwanted scents.

How to freshen up a washing machine?

Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting. Simple!

Can you put dishwasher tablets in the washing machine?

Dishwasher tablets, such as Finish Ultimate All-in-1, can be utilized in washing machines to dissolve grease, dirt, and mineral buildup that may accrue with regular use.

What can I use to clean a washer instead of Affresh?

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 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 main ingredient in Affresh washing machine cleaner?

Although every formula is different, the main active ingredients in affresh® tablets are sodium carbonate (washing soda) and sodium percarbonate (oxygen-based bleach).

How do I clean my deeply smelly washing machine?

Common causes of a smelly washing machine include a buildup of bacteria, mold or mildew, and even detergent residue. To clean it, run a hot wash cycle with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. Then, scrub any residue and run another hot rinse to flush out all the cleaning agents.

How do you deep clean a filthy washing machine?

How to Deep Clean and Sanitize Your Washing Machine
  1. Remove the bleach/fabric softener dispensers. ...
  2. Add a cup of bleach to the washing machine. ...
  3. Run an entire rinse cycle. ...
  4. Clean the rubber seal. ...
  5. Wipe down the exterior. ...
  6. Unplug the dryer. ...
  7. Clean out the lint drawer. ...
  8. Vacuum.

What do professional power washers use to clean?

Professionals use a gas-powered pressure washer, a surface cleaner attachment, and a careful selection of specialized nozzle tips, surfactants, bleaches, degreasers, and oxalic acid for pressure washing.

Why does my washing machine smell?

Nasty odours in your washing machine are typically caused by a combination of three elements – mould, mildew, and bacteria. When you put clothes in your washing machine, body oil, dirt, hair, and scum get trapped in your appliance's gasket, seal, and detergent dispenser.

Does Affresh washing machine cleaner work?

It does a great job of cleaning the inside of the machine. There's never been any funky smell or odor coming from the washer and I credit Affresh for helping to prevent that. I like the results from the product!

How to make laundry smell good?

How Can You Make Your Laundry Smell Good?
  1. Deodorize With Baking Soda.
  2. Clean Your Washing Machine.
  3. Do Smaller Loads of Laundry.
  4. Use Scent Boosters.
  5. Choose the Right Detergent.
  6. Pre-Treat Any Stains.
  7. Don't Let Wet Clothes Sit.
  8. Try Scented Dryer Balls.

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