The 5 Most interesting Washing Machine Cleaners of 2024

Washing machines aren’t always self-cleaning, so a dose of a formulated cleaner will help them maintain in tip-top type. “Like a shower, the outer tub of your washer can assemble up a cleansing cleaning soap scum film between it and the within basket,” explains Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Tools, a Neighborly agency. “Mud and oils can stick with that film and supplies that funky odor.”

To find out which washer cleaners are worth our time and energy, we rolled up our (clear, freshly laundered) sleeves and surveyed 180 adults who’ve used them. We moreover carried out our private evaluation, considering prime producers along with under-the-radar decisions, to provide you a list of recommendations.

The takeaways? Our favorites are usually simple to utilize, safe for all washer types, and might be counted on to ship shiny clear outcomes.

The 5 Most interesting Washing Machine Cleaners of 2024
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Don’t Like

  • Can depart residue

  • Requires extra rinsing

There’s hundreds to love regarding the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner tablets. They’re accessible from loads of outlets, can usually be found for an reasonably priced value (roughly $2 per tablet), and most importantly, they get the job achieved efficiently on numerous completely totally different washer types.

These tablets obtained extreme reward from our survey respondents for a means simple they’re to utilize, and the way in which correctly they clear every internal and exterior machine elements. We significantly love that the system is EPA Safer Choice Licensed, a voluntary designation that confirms the elements are safe for people and the planet.

The tactic to utilize them couldn’t be so much simpler; merely add a tablet to the basin and run your machine. The tablet will dissolve and clear with no extra effort or scrubbing from you. We’re usually cautious of cleaners which could be this hands-off, nonetheless Affresh is an exception.

Our respondents even attest to how correctly a single tablet battles odors, and the way in which clear their tools smelled after they used it. The tablet is designed to get into all elements of the machine that will end in funky smells, along with the washer pump, valve, basket, drum, filter, and further.

Remember that the mannequin is owned by tools maker Whirlpool, and this cleaner is safe for top-loaders, front-loaders, and high-efficiency machines. If there’s any draw again, it’s that there may be a bit of little bit of residue as quickly because the clear cycle is full, nonetheless it’s a simple disadvantage to unravel—merely wipe away any seen residue with a damp materials, after which run one different load to be sure that remaining residue is rinsed from any hard-to-see spots.

Kind: Capsule︱Scent: Citrus

Amazon OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters
PHOTO: Amazon

Oxi-Clear isn’t any stranger inside the laundry aisle. The mannequin has numerous high-performing cleaners and stain removers, and its washer cleaner isn’t any exception. The powder system is particularly formulated to give attention to residue and buildup in your washer.

Like with a tablet cleaner, you merely add the product into the basin sooner than working the machine—the one distinction is that you just’re opening and sprinkling inside the powder versus dropping in a single tablet. We love that it’s accessible in pre-measured pouches, so there’s no guesswork to do. The scent, which is made to mimic up to date laundry, is a bit strong, so take that into account whenever you’re delicate to smells.

It’s safe for all washing machines and septic strategies, too, so that you just acquired’t wish to fret about any damage to your current setup. Merely ensure you wipe out any extra residue from the washer drum sooner than working a load with clothes.

Kind: Powder | Scent: Modern

How Normally Must You Clear Your Washing Machine?

For most people, using a washer cleaner as quickly as per 30 days retains their machine in good type, says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Tools. For individuals who uncover mildew or an unusual odor, plan to clean your washer further normally. And heads-up, front-loading washing machines need cleaning further typically than top-loading ones, on account of water can accumulate inside the entrance gasket.

Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner
PHOTO: Amazon

This two-in-one chance—powder and wipes—is product of citric extracts, citrus oil, and sodium bicarbonate. These elements work laborious to banish every residue and smells, and make an exceptionally good combo for these with laborious water, on account of it can presumably even dissolve stubborn calcium buildup. Like our best complete determine, it’s EPA Safer Choice Licensed, and safe for people, pets, and the environment.

The product is versatile, and it’s best to put it to use on all washing machines. The 1st step is the same to our totally different picks; first, you utilize the powder, which reaches the whole inside elements of the machine and cleans the drum itself. When the brand new cycle is through, use the wipes to clean door gaskets on front-loading machines or detergent trays.

The mannequin says that these could be utilized with any sort of washer, though two pouches may be required for the first cleaning on non-HE devices. Like many washer cleaners, this determine may depart a residue, nonetheless that’s what included wipes are for.

We love the up to date lemon scent it leaves behind, nonetheless it might be pretty strong. If citrus will not be your cup of tea, you may want to skip this one.

Kind: Powder and wipes︱Scent: Citrus

Aunt Fannie's All Purpose 6% Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar
PHOTO: Amazon

The acetic acid in vinegar can do wonders to clean your washer. We tend to like Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar as a result of it is 6% acidity (compared with 5%, which is what chances are you’ll uncover for a lot of white vinegar). This elevated effectivity packs a strong punch in direction of build-up and residue in your washer (nonetheless a heads-up that it’s not safe for cooking or consuming!). Whereas this technique will work merely optimistic for a lot of machines, you may want to double-check that yours is acceptable.

Vinegar could be an eco-friendly reply that’s gentle on the environment, which we love. You may additionally use it with baking soda for a full DIY washer cleaning. The one draw again, nonetheless, is that the fundamental vinegar odor might be pretty pungent. Aunt Fannie’s does present some scented decisions though, along with a lemon scent that could be bought in a 64-ounce jug.

Kind: Liquid | Scent: Varies

Tide-washer-machine-cleaner-tablets
PHOTO: Amazon

This determine from Tide has tons in widespread with the Oxi-Clear Washing Machine Cleaner we named Most interesting Powder. Every formulation embody Oxi, every promise a shiny, environment friendly clear, and every use the identical course of: sprinkle the pre-measured pouch in your wash, run the cycle, after which marvel at your clear machine when it’s all achieved.

Nonetheless, observe that Tide touts some further elements (TAED and zeolite, to be technical) to boost cleaning properties and to verify merchandise are environment friendly in laborious water. Plus, as with all of our picks, chances are you’ll uncover variations in scents, too—some respondents well-known that Tide gave their full dwelling a pleasant odor, which could be an extreme quantity of in some homes. We don’t suppose you can go fallacious with each, nonetheless take into consideration these variations whenever you’re debating between the two.

Kind: Powder | Scent: Modern

Closing Verdict

Our prime determine for a washer cleaner is Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner. These tablets are simple to utilize and acceptable with all types of washing machines. For individuals who’re in the hunt for a tablet that may clear all elements of your washer, inside workings, and drum, that’s the one to try. For a powder chance, we like OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters, which is formulated to kind out odors and aim buildup.

What to Seek for in a Washing Machine Cleaner

Kind

Washer cleaners can be found tablet, liquid, and powder kind, though our favorites are more likely to largely be tablets and powders attributable to how simple they’re to utilize and retailer. Our best complete determine, Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner, is a tablet that could be unwrapped and dropped into your washer basin in just a few seconds.

You may additionally use all-purpose cleaning wipes to clean your washer, although this technique is not going to be able to get into the within workings of your machine. Wipes moreover take most likely essentially the most effort, nonetheless they are often utilized on totally different household dwelling tools and messes, too. You might go for a mixture of tablet or powder for the within of your machine, and wipes for the surface, and for any seen residue left behind (our best combo determine, Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner, supplies every within the an identical bundle).

Scent

Washer cleaners can have a strong scent, so take observe if that is one factor you might be in search of to steer clear of. Some cleaners can be found unscented varieties, nonetheless it’s best to nonetheless uncover a residual odor. Eco-friendly cleaners that use essential oils are generally most likely essentially the most hottest various for people who’re delicate to chemical compounds and smells. For a correctly scented chance, we love the citrus aroma of our best combo determine, the Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner.

Plumbing and Machine Compatibility

Many washer cleaners work for top-loading washing machines, front-loading machines, and high-efficiency machines, nonetheless it’s essential to always double-check the bundle to make sure your machine is acceptable collectively along with your chosen cleaner.

It’s also good to contemplate whether or not or not the equipment methodology meshes correctly collectively along with your machine. Tablets are usually the only to utilize in every kind of washing machines. Entrance-loading washing machines have door gaskets that will merely contribute to grime, mildew, and mildew buildup, too. In that case, seek for a cleaner that truly targets these areas, or use a wipe to manually clear them.

You most likely have a septic system, make sure that your washer cleaner is septic-safe, too (for the file, all of our picks are!). Using any chemical in your plumbing, along with some washer cleaners, may set off damage to your system, which can find yourself in doubtlessly smelly and sometimes very pricey points. Septic-safe washer cleaners will just about always state that they are septic safe on the packaging.

The Checkout Counter

Sooner than you strive, take into consideration these merchandise you may also need.

  1. HomeHacks Huge Laundry Basket: Our favorite hamper we examined will allow you protect clothes all sorted ahead of and thru laundry day, and collapses for easy storage.
  2. KOANEssentials Retailer Farmhouse Metal Magnetic Lint Bin: You could’t overlook to care on your clothes dryer, too; this lint bin is the right (and important) reminder to clean your lint tray and comes with a dryer lint brush.
  3. All Free Clear Liquid 2x Concentrated Laundry Detergent: Stocking up on laundry requirements? In our laundry detergent testing, we cherished this free and clear chance; it has been our editor’s go-to for higher than 5 years.

Why Perception The Spruce?

Dena Ogden is an affiliate editor at The Spruce who focuses on dwelling tools, cleaning, and group issues. She has every examined and written about numerous laundry merchandise, from small dryer sheets all the way in which wherein as a lot as a full washer and dryer set. For this piece, she moreover reviewed the outcomes of an internal cleaning product survey, and researched and assessed washer cleaners obtainable at major retailers.

Our Consultants:

  • Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Tools, a Neighborly agency
  • Marisa Viglione, senior editor at The Spruce
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