The best overall washing machine cleaners are Affresh, Tide, and OxiClean. Affresh tablets are highly recommended by major appliance brands, Tide with Oxi is the best at fighting hard water residue, and OxiClean offers an excellent, bleach-free deodorizing powder for tough, lingering smells.
Clean Washer Tub with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar and baking soda can also unclog buildup in your washer's drain. Start with an empty and dry washing machine. Set your washer to the cleaning setting or the hottest, longest setting you have. As the washer fills with water, add 3 or 4 cups of white vinegar.
Top-rated washing machine cleaners generally fall into three categories: tablet, powder, or liquid. Based on recent home testing and user reviews, the most highly recommended options for deep cleaning, odor elimination, and residue removal are:
Use for a better functioning washing machine
Use Dettol washing machine cleaner every two months in a wash on its own to kill 99.9% of bacteria*. This formula will reach hidden areas of the machine which will stop bad odours, leaving a lasting freshness in the machine.
OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner and Affresh are both highly effective, but they differ primarily in format and formulation. OxiClean uses a granular powder with "Odor Blasters" that targets deep-seated grime and has a noticeable fresh scent. Affresh comes in easy-to-drop tablets and uses surfactant chemistry to specifically break down and remove residues.
The best substitutes for Affresh are common household staples like white vinegar and baking soda, liquid chlorine bleach, or citric acid. These alternatives are highly effective at breaking down detergent buildup, neutralizing odors, and killing mold.
Vinegar should not be placed directly in the washing machine. However, it can be beneficial to use it to treat stains and odors prior to washing. Just make sure you thoroughly rinse the items before placing them in the washing machine.
To deep clean your washing machine, you can use specialized store-bought tablets like Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner or Tide Washing Machine Cleaner. Alternatively, a DIY mix of 2 cups of white vinegar and 2 cups of baking soda is highly effective.
Both Affresh and Tide Washing Machine Cleaner are highly effective at removing buildup, detergent residue, and odors, but they cater to different preferences. Affresh is a lighter-scented tablet developed alongside appliance experts and is generally better for routine maintenance. Tide uses a heavy-duty powder that cleans deeper but has a much stronger perfume and can create excessive suds in some machines.
Affresh is better than Active for deep cleaning. If your washer has serious buildup like that gummy fabric softener sludge, detergent crust, or sticky film in the drum, Affresh tends to outperform Active.
“For a deep clean, use a washing machine cleaner,” says Carly. “Many washing machine descalers come as sachets or tablets — simply pop one into the drum and run your machine on a hot cycle.” “White vinegar works wonders as a natural alternative. Add around two cups to the machine's drum and run a hot wash.”
Yes, washing machine cleaners are absolutely worth it. They are a highly effective and inexpensive way to prevent mold, eliminate foul odors, and break down the hidden detergent and fabric softener sludge that accumulates out of sight. Using one once a month keeps your appliance running efficiently and prevents costly repairs.
Clean your washing machine by running an empty, hot water cycle with either 2 cups of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach, or a commercial washing machine cleaner. This breaks down soap scum, removes mold, and eliminates odor-causing bacteria.
Use both—but not at the exact same time. Baking soda and vinegar tackle different problems. The most effective method is to run two separate hot cycles: one with vinegar to dissolve soap scum, kill mold, and remove odors, and one with baking soda to scrub away remaining residue and freshen the drum.
How to Tell When Washers Need Maintenance
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser or directly into the drum. Run a hot water cycle. The vinegar will help dissolve mineral deposits, soap scum, and kill mold. Step 2: Run a baking soda cycle.
To brighten clothes in a washing machine, add a booster like baking soda, white vinegar, or oxygen bleach (OxiClean) directly into the drum with your detergent. Use hot water for whites, cold for colors, and avoid overstuffing to ensure cleaning efficiency. Proper sorting and cleaning boosters remove residue and prevent dinginess.
Less Tangling: When clothes are allowed to tangle, especially long items like pants or sheets, they often come out of the wash knotted up. The bottles help keep items moving independently, minimizing the chances of tangling.
The best rated washing machine cleaners are Affresh Washer Cleaner, OxiClean with Odor Blasters, and Tide Washing Machine Cleaner. They dominate consumer and expert testing for their ability to eliminate mildew smells, dissolve hard water buildup, and clean hidden tub surfaces.
For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. 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.
No, you should not put clothes in the drum during a clean cycle. The machine must be completely empty.
'When you add vinegar to your fabric softener compartment, your machine will dilute it with water so that it isn't too harsh or overpowering on your clothes.
Cons: This product when used in large quantities, or all the time, can damage fabrics such as cotton, linen, rayon, and nylon. It can also change the colors of pH-sensitive dyes. Also, because of its acidic nature, doing laundry with vinegar can damage components of the washer such as the seals and hoses causing leaks.
Ways you can clean your washing machine with vinegar
Remove the detergent and fabric softener drawers, and then soak them for an extended period in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.