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Regularly cleaning your washing machine ensures that it washes your linens and clothes thoroughly every time. To help with built-up grime and odor-causing residue in your washer, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best washing machine cleaners on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Compare Top Washing Machine Cleaners
| Product | Quantity | Scent | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner | Eight packets and wipes | Lemon | Washing machine |
| Active Washing Machine Cleaner | 24 tablets | None | Washing machine |
| Plink Washer and Dishwasher Freshener Cleaner | Four tablets | None | Washing machine and dishwasher |
| Eco-Gals Washing Machine Cleaner | 24 tablets | Fresh scent | Washing machine |
| Renuv Washing Machine Cleaner | Six | None | Washing machine |
| Product | Quantity | Scent | Usage |
Most Thorough: Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner
Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner
- $21.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Made with powerful citric acid
✔ Has a bleach-, ammonia-, and formaldehyde-free formula
✔ Is made in the United States
✘ Requires some scrubbing and elbow grease when using the wipes
✘ Doesn’t work on black mold, according to some customers
What Customers Are Saying
Though it included more steps than other washing machine cleaners, customers said that this product was easy to use. However, some customers were unhappy with the overwhelming lemon scent that the citric acid cleaning agent left behind.
Best for Organization: Active Washing Machine Cleaner
Active Washing Machine Cleaner
- $17.95
- $22.49
- 20% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Uses lab-tested ingredients
✔ Is safe for septic systems
✔ Comes with a domestic-based customer service team
✘ Can require up to two tablets per month for a thorough clean
✘ Can leave some residue behind
What Customers Are Saying
Customers loved these tablets for deep cleaning. A common complaint among unsatisfied users was that they didn’t clean heavy residue buildup. However, to remedy this, the company suggested wetting and scrubbing the machine before using a tablet.
Most Versatile: Plink Washer and Dishwasher Freshener Cleaner
Plink Washer and Dishwasher Freshener Cleaner
- $5.5
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a refreshing lemon scent
✔ Doesn’t include phosphates or bleach
✔ Works on plumbing and septic systems
✘ Comes with few tablets
✘ Has customer complaints about the tablets arriving crushed
What Customers Are Saying
Customers enjoyed this product’s versatility and effectiveness. Most reviews stated that it effectively removed unpleasant odors from dirty clothes and dishes. However, some customers didn’t like the scent that it replaced these dirty smells with.
Best Laundry Scent: Eco-Gals Washing Machine Cleaner
Eco-Gals Washing Machine Cleaner
- $14.95
- $17.95
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Is sold by a company that was founded by mothers
✔ Includes a 60-day guarantee
✔ Comes with a year supply of tablets
✘ Uses plastic packaging for each tablet
✘ Uses dye on the top half of the tablets that could transfer to the machine and stain your clothes
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were pleased with the performance and ease of use of this product. Most reviewers agreed that it removed unpleasant odors. Those who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that it didn’t provide a long-lasting clean.
Largest Tablets: Renuv Washing Machine Cleaner
Renuv Washing Machine Cleaner
- $15.99
- $22.99
- 30% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Works in all washing machine models, including front loaders and top loaders
✔ Features a 90-day satisfaction guarantee
✔ Doesn’t use dyes, so it won’t stain your clothes
✘ Doesn’t have a scent to cover up unpleasant odors
✘May need multiple tablets to fully clean
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praised this cleaner for having no scent or a hardly noticeable scent that was ideal for those who were sensitive to smells. However, some customers were frustrated that they had to use multiple tablets to get a thorough clean.
Buyer’s Guide
As you search for the best cleaner for your washing machine, here are some factors to keep in mind.
Type
Most washing machine cleaners come in the form of tablets. You can add washing machine cleaner tablets to the machine via a detergent drawer or directly in the washer, and they dissolve in water when you run a regular cycle. However, you can also find wipe, liquid, and powder cleaners. Liquids and powders work like tablets, cleaning your machine during a cycle. With wipes, you have to manually clean the tub, and the cleaner doesn’t get into the tubes and other elements of the drainage system. However, a wipe may be useful along with one of the other cleaners if there’s a certain part that the tablet, liquid, or powder didn’t thoroughly clean.
Ingredients
Some washing machine cleaners contain harsh chemicals. Though effective on things like hard water, these ingredients can be harmful to your health and the environment. You may need to use more, but the safest route is to choose a cleaner that uses eco-friendly ingredients and that’s free of bleach, ammonia, formaldehyde, quat, and phosphate.
Fragrance
Some washing machine cleaners use a strong fragrance to mask the odor of dirty laundry or musty mold. If you would prefer a minimal fragrance, be sure to choose a cleaner that’s labeled as unscented. These cleaners eliminate odor instead of mask it.
Washer
Choose a product that can clean your model and brand of washing machine without damaging it Front-load washers and top-load washers may require different types of cleaners. However, most cleaning products can produce heavy-duty cleans on all types of washing machines.
Quantity
Most washing machine cleaners are sold in a six- or 12-month supply to cut down on how many purchases you have to make and how much money you have to spend per purchase. However, if you’re trying a cleaner for the first time, it may be useful to purchase a smaller amount to test it first and make sure you like it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Most washing machine manufacturers recommend that you run a cleaning cycle on your machine at least once a month. You can check your appliance’s manual to see if this is accurate for your model.
Can I clean my washing machine with vinegar?
No. Avoid vinegar because it can damage the seals and hoses in your washing machine. This can lead to an expensive visit from a plumber. You can however use baking soda to help eliminate strong odors like soap scum and other gunk from your washer.
Why does my washing machine still smell after I cleaned it?
The cleaner may have missed certain areas of the machine, such as the detergent dispenser. You can clean tough-to-reach areas with a wipe or run another cycle with a tablet, liquid, or powder cleaner.
Why is it important to clean my washing machine?
Cleaning your washing machine removes limescale, bacteria, mold, and mildew and their associated odors. This makes your clothes smell fresh and helps your machine run efficiently.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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