We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

The 3 Best Washing Machine Cleaners to Make Your Appliance Sparkle Again

Just a little bit of maintenance goes a long way

Dena Ogden headshot 2024 By
Dena Ogden
Dena Ogden headshot 2024
Dena Ogden
Dena Ogden (she/her) is an associate editor for The Spruce, specializing in appliances, cleaning, organizing, and home tech. Since joining The Spruce in August of 2022, she's tested dozens of home products, including multiple vacuums, cleaning and laundry supplies, organizers, bedding, and more. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English & Communication from the University of Washington.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 01/25/25
Reviewed by
Katie Berry
Katie Berry
Reviewed by Katie Berry
Katie Berry is a cleaning expert with 30 years of household management experience and 12 years of writing about cleaning methods and routines for Housewife How-Tos. She is the author of several books about homemaking.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Jump to Reviews

View All

Jump to Reviews

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

The Spruce

Your dirty laundry isn’t the only thing that requires a good, soapy rinse; your washing machine needs one, too. In case you didn’t know, washing machines don’t clean themselves. Like dishwashers, they can accumulate germs and a funky smell, and similar to oven cleaners, there are cleaners designed just for washing machines to bring them back to life after many, many cycles.

Fortunately, washing machine cleaners are often easier to use. Our top pick can be tossed right in the drum, so you don’t have to scrub your life away. To figure out which washing machine cleaners are worth the time and energy, we rolled up our (clean, freshly laundered) sleeves and surveyed 180 adults who've used them. We also conducted our own research, considering top brands and under-the-radar options to come up with a list of recommendations.

The takeaways? Our favorites tend to be very easy to use and safe for all washing machine types, and can be counted on to deliver shiny, clean results.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner at Amazon $7
Jump to Review
Best Powder:
OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner at Amazon $9
Jump to Review
Best DIY:
Aunt Fannie's All Purpose 6% Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar at Amazon $28
Jump to Review

Best Overall

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner
PHOTO: Amazon
$7 at Amazon $12 at Target $11 at Home Depot
What We Like

  • Cleans all parts of washing machine

  • Fights odors well

  • EPA Safer Choice certification

  • Safe for septic systems

What We Don't Like

  • Can leave residue behind that requires extra rinsing

There’s a lot to love about the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner tablets. They're readily available from lots of stores, can usually be found at a reasonable price (roughly $2 per tablet), and most importantly, they get the job done effectively on a variety of different washing machine types, including top-loaders, front-loaders, or high-efficiency machines.

These tablets received high praise from our survey respondents for how easy they are to use, and how well they clean both internal and external machine parts. We especially love that the formula is EPA Safer Choice certified, a voluntary designation that confirms the ingredients are safe for people and the planet.

The process to use them couldn't be much simpler; just add a tablet to the drum and run your machine. The tablet will dissolve and clean with no extra effort or scrubbing from you. Our respondents even attest to how well a single tablet battles odors, and how clean their appliance smelled after they used it.

Note that the brand is owned by appliance-maker Whirlpool, which is known for reliable laundry machines that will truly last. If there’s any downside, it’s that there may be a bit of residue left once the cycle is complete, but it’s an easy problem to solve. You can wipe away any visible residue with a damp cloth, and run one extra cycle to ensure remaining residue is rinsed from any hard-to-see spots.

Best Powder

OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner

Amazon OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters
PHOTO: Amazon
$9 at Amazon $9 at Walmart $9 at Target
What We Like

  • Pre-measured pouches for easy application

  • Safe for septic systems

What We Don't Like

  • Can leave residue behind that requires extra rinsing

  • Has a strong fragrance

Oxi-Clean is a fan-favorite in the laundry aisle. The brand has a variety of high-performing cleaners and stain removers, and its washing machine cleaner is no exception. Its powder formula is specially formulated to target residue and buildup in your washing machine, and like with a tablet cleaner, you simply add the product to your drum before running your machine. The only difference is that you're sprinkling in the powder versus dropping in a single tablet—but this should feel familiar for fans of powdered laundry detergent.

We love that it comes in pre-measured pouches, so there’s no guesswork to do. The scent, which is made to mimic fresh laundry, is a bit strong, so take that into account if you’re sensitive to fragrances or strong smells.

It’s safe for all washing machines and septic systems, too, so you won’t need to worry about any damage to your existing setup. Just be sure to wipe out any extra residue from the washer drum before running a load with clothes—similar to how you would with our top pick.

Best DIY

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

Aunt Fannie's All Purpose 6% Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar
PHOTO: Amazon
$28 at Amazon View on Grove.co
What We Like

  • Eco-friendly alternative

  • Can be bought in large supply, and used alongside baking soda

  • Comes in different scent options

What We Don't Like

  • Vinegar smell can be pungent

The acetic acid in vinegar can do wonders when cleaning your washing machine. We tend to like Aunt Fannie's Cleaning Vinegar since it has 6% acidity (compared to 5%, which is what you'll find for most white vinegar). This increased potency packs a strong punch against residue in your washing machine (but a heads-up that it's not safe for cooking or consuming!) and makes this product suitable for DIY cleaning.

Vinegar is also an eco-friendly solution that's gentle on the environment, which we love. You can also use it with baking soda for a full DIY washing machine cleaning. The one downside, however, is that the vinegar smell can be pretty pungent. Aunt Fannie's does offer some scented options though, including a lemon scent that can be bought in a 64-ounce jug.

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. If you're looking for a tablet to clean all the parts of your washing machine in one cycle, this is the one to try. For a powder option, we like OxiClean's Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters that's formulated to tackle odors, and easy to apply thanks to pre-measured packets.

What to Look for in a Washing Machine Cleaner

Consider the Type of Cleaner You Want

Washing machine cleaners come in tablet, liquid, and powder form, though our favorites tend to mostly be tablets and powders because of how easy they are to use and store.

  • Tablets: Like detergent pods, tablet washing machine cleaners are mess-free and super easy to use. Our overall best pick, Affresh's Washing Machine Cleaner, is a tablet that can be unwrapped and dropped into your washing machine drum in just a few seconds.
  • Powder: Powder cleaners, like our best powder pick, the OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner, are also simple to use. All you have to do is pour the packet of powder right into the drum, and if you can find an option that's pre-measured, it'll make the process even easier.
  • Liquid: Similar to liquid detergent, this washing machine cleaner option can be messy, whether you're dealing with a leaking bottle or over-pouring. However, our clothes and appliances always turn out the cleanest when using a liquid option. The process for cleaning your washer with a liquid cleaner is the same as using a liquid detergent; it even typically goes into the exact same dispenser. 

You can also use all-purpose cleaning wipes to clean your washing machine, although this method won't be able to get into the inner workings of your machine. Wipes also take the most effort, but they can be used on other household appliances and messes, too.

Do You Prefer Scented or Unscented Cleaners?

Washing machine cleaners can have a strong scent, so take note if that is something you're looking to avoid. Some cleaners come in unscented forms, but you may still find a residual odor. For a nicely scented option, we love the citrus aroma of our best overall pick.

Make Sure Your Machine and Plumbing is Compatible

Many washing machine cleaners work for top-loading washing machines, front-loading machines, and high-efficiency machines, but you should always double-check the package to make sure your machine is compatible with your chosen cleaner.

It's also good to think about whether the application method meshes well with your machine. Tablets tend to be the easiest to use in a wide variety of washing machines. Front-load washing machines have door gaskets that can easily collect to grime, mold, and mildew buildup, too. In that case, look for a cleaner that really targets these areas, or use a wipe to manually clean them.

If you have a septic system, make sure that your washing machine cleaner is septic-safe, too (for the record, all of our picks are!). Using any chemical in your plumbing, including some washing machine cleaners, may cause damage to your system, which can result in potentially smelly and often very expensive problems. Septic-safe washing machine cleaners will almost always state that they are septic safe on the packaging.

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?

For most people, using a washing machine cleaner once per month keeps their machine in great shape, says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance.

If you notice mold or an unusual smell, plan to clean your washing machine more often. And heads-up, front-loading washing machines need cleaning more frequently than top-loading ones, because water can accumulate in the front gasket.

The Checkout Counter

Before you check out, consider these products you may also need.

  1. HomeHacks Large Laundry Basket: Our favorite hamper we tested will help you keep clothes all sorted ahead of and during laundry day, and collapses for easy storage.
  2. KOANEssentials Store Farmhouse Metal Magnetic Lint Bin: You can't forget to take care of your clothes dryer, too; this lint bin is the perfect (and important) reminder to clean your lint tray, and it comes with a dryer lint brush.
  3. TIPGO Laundry Room Glass Jars: Organize your laundry room and decant your essentials with these aesthetically pleasing glass jars. You can put your powder detergent in one and your washing machine cleaner tablets in the other.
  4. Ikea SLIBB Washing Bag: Keep your delicate clothing intact with these mesh-zippered washing bags.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Dena Ogden is an associate editor at The Spruce who specializes in appliances, cleaning, and organization topics. She has tested, vetted, and written about a variety of laundry products, from dryer sheets all the way up to a full washer-and-dryer set.

For this piece, she also reviewed the results of an internal cleaning product survey and researched and assessed washing machine cleaners available at major retailers based on factors such as type, scent, and machine and septic compatibility, among others.

Our Experts:

  • Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company
  • Marisa Viglione, Senior Editor for Appliances, Cleaning, Organization, and Home Tech for The Spruce, specializing in such products as vacuums, washers and dryers, and air purifiers
  • Kenedee Fowler, writer at The Spruce specializing in cleaning products, bedding, bath, furniture, and decor
The Best Dishwasher Cleaners for a Squeaky Clean Appliance