It is only natural that after some amount of rough usage, your washing machine starts to smell bad and this in turn makes your clothes smell bad too. There can be mold or mildew in corners of your washing machine that might have gone unnoticed, and to keep your clothes and surroundings hygienic it is important that you clean the washing machine pretty regularly and that too with a quality product that suits all your needs. Also, one bottle of these cleaners can last for more than one month saving you time and cost. Here we have listed the top 10 best washing machine cleaners chosen carefully after serious contemplation.
10 Best Washing Machine Cleaners
Affresh W10282479 Dishwasher Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002R0DXQE
It comes in a tablet form that can be placed at the bottom of your washing machine drum for cleaning it up during a wash cycle and throughout the cycle, it does not lose its shape. This cleaner can also be used inside your dishwasher by placing it on the tray beneath the plates and just operating as usual. It is also septic safe and quite good for both stainless steel and rubber materials. The chemicals are safe and are ensured by the EPA, working hard at removing smelly residues from inside your machine.
Pros:
- Compact form
- Dishwasher friendly
- EPA recognized
- Septic safe
Cons:
- Best not to use with dishes
Affresh W10135699 Whirlpool Tablets Washing Machine Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00132Q9M2
This is also another Affresh product that makes use of the tablet design but this time it is specifically made for removing odor-causing residue from washing machines. You can use them on a monthly basis and even run 3 full cycles for strong residues and odors. The tablet dissolves in water and performs better than bleach. It can be used in both front and top load washing machines each running on high-efficiency cycles. This white tablet is also septic safe.
Pros:
- Dissolvable tablet
- Better than bleach
- Both top and front load supported
- Septic safe
Cons:
- Washing machine use only
Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WV2R2K
This is a cleaner liquid having 5 uses per bottle and it can reduce the debris building up inside your washing machine. You can use this similar to detergent and simply pour it into the machine and let the wash cycle take over the duty of cleaning. This does not impart any extra smell on its own but removes all the strong foul smell and keeps your washing machine clean for every month. It can be used on both high-efficiency and standard washing machines.
Pros:
- 5 uses per bottle
- No smell
- Clean drum
- All washing machine friendly
Cons:
- Some complaints were noted about it being not strong
Tide Washing Machine Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZ6WXDE
The Tide washing machine cleaner has 5 pouches of cleaning material that can work with a strong bleach function with oxygenated properties. The active ingredients on the surface make sure that the residues are cleaned up and collected, leaving your wash drum devoid of odor. It leaves behind a clean scent afterward and can freshen up your washing machine immensely regardless of it being a high-efficiency washing machine or a standard washing machine.
Pros:
- 5 cleaning pouches
- Oxygenated properties
- Can be used on both types of washing machine
Cons:
- Strong odor afterward that can be allergic to some
- Smelly Washer Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UJXTI0
This is another liquid-based cleaner used for cleaning up washing machines. You are advised to use 1 ounce for every wash and preferable with whites and for stronger odors you can soak it first for a few minutes before proceeding to wash. Being able to use it in the top and front-loading machines with both HE or standard functioning it is also safe for septic systems. It can also be used in dishwashers and make sure you take one capful for every use. One bottle can keep you covered for an entire year.
Pros:
- Use an entire year
- Compatible with both types of washing machine
- Dishwasher friendly
Cons:
- Only eliminates the smell to an extent
Glisten WM03N-SS. Washer Magic Washing Machine Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BKQ2Z8
With this product, you can remove odor from any parts of your washing machine like the door, flaps, drum, etc. All the accumulated dirt and dust that can ruin your clothes can now be dissolved and eliminated by this liquid cleaner. Shipped as 2 bottles this can last long enough and it does not use bleach or other harmful chemicals to destroy your clothes or machine. You have to use it on a monthly basis.
Pros:
- Two bottle package
- Fit for all parts
- No harmful chemicals
Cons:
- Not economical
Tide Washing Machine Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OMXUVAU
This is a 10 count package and it comes in the liquid form which means it can be poured along with clothes for an operation and it can work its magic that way. It works with front-loading and top-loading washing machines and is compatible with all their performances. Once cleaned up, this will last for a month and you can make do with these 10 packets for almost a year.
Pros:
- 10 count package
- Works for both front and top loading
- Lasts for a month
Cons:
- The smell after cleaning is too strong
Affresh Whirlpool All Washing Machine Washer Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQ4V7SE
This is another Affresh product that uses a tablet to clean up your washing machine and it dissolves in water penetrating deep into sticky residues and removing them. It is far better than plain bleach and can also last for about a month after every cleaning. Every packet contains 3 tablets and these are quite safe on septic tanks.
Pros:
- 9 tablets
- Stronger than bleach
- Lasts for a month
- Dissolves in water
Cons:
- A bit costly
Glisten WM06N Washer Magic:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LF5VMQ
This cleaner is made in the US and can make sure all the odor-causing bacteria is gone from your washing machine. Even though this liquid dissolves the residue it also does not leave any gooey stuff behind and can work quite well in all washers and in those with high-efficiency performances too. This not just keeps your machine in good condition, but also helps in removing all the abrasive materials inside harmful to clothes.
Pros:
- Bacteria removal
- Clean removal
- Can be used with both types of washing machines
Cons:
- Has a smell of its own which may not be appealing to some
- Affresh W10282479 Dishwasher Cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002R0DXQE
Being the fourth Affresh product on the list, it is also a tablet-shaped cleaner that can be used in both washing machines and dishwashers. It cleans far better than bleach and also dissolves any build up inside the drum. Safe to use with both stainless steel tub and rubber tub, it is also recognized by the EPA for being safe and devoid of toxic substances. You can use this once a month and for stronger odors use more than 1 tablet.
Pros:
- Used for dishwashers too
- Better than bleach
- Stainless steel and rubber tub friendly
- EPA recognized
- Lasts for a month
Cons:
- Will not work smoothly with hard water
Buyer’s Guide
- Cost:
Most of these cleaners will be quite affordable but make sure you can have enough usage for the material with the given cost and also for the given time period. The aim of each bottle is to save you money by lasting for months.
- Durability:
As mentioned before, a single bottle should last longer than a few months so that you don’t have to run out and get it every time. Use the product accordingly and it will keep your washing machine clean for a long time.
- Multipurpose:
Some cleaners will not have its use limited to just the washing machine and can even go so far as to clean your sink and other machine parts. Purchasing this can be rather useful but you may run out of the cleaner faster as the same product is used for multiple things.
- Allergy:
Certain ingredients in your cleaner might have allergic reactions to your body on handling it. Hence careful usage is advised or completely stays away from that particular product and looks for an alternative.
- Smell:
Some cleaners impart a scent after cleaning and some are scentless. If you are sensitive to a particular smell, you can go for the scentless one, and for people who like fragrance, there are many varieties to choose from.
FAQs
- Can these be used on both top and front loading washing machines?
Yes. Most of these products are available to use in both top loading and front loading washing machines and some even works with other machines like dishwashers.
- How to use it for a front-loading machine?
You can just put the cleaner inside and set the washing machine to its longest cycle. After all the work, make sure to drain the water and leave the door open for air circulation and dying.
- Can you leave it on for a long time?
It is not advised to leave the cleaner inside the washing machine for a long time. Some of the chemical properties of the cleaner will corrode the metal surfaces if left on it for a longer time than usual, hence use it for the relevant narrow time only.
- Are these safe or toxic?
Some of these cleaners may have some level of toxicity but there are also products with complete safe certification.
Bottom Line
Cleaning your washing machine once in a while can be good for your clothes and surroundings. Some rusted parts can even destroy your clothes and the odor due to accumulated dirt can be really bad. Hence use one of these top 10 best washing machine cleaners we have specified here for good results and for purchasing, links are given along with the product reviews for your convenience. Stay clean!
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