Buying a top-rated washing machine cleaner is essential for ensuring this busy appliance is running well — and is safe to use. Not only can all the build-up in your machine prevent it from running efficiently, but even if you own one of the best washing machines money can buy, bacteria can build up that can harm your health. One thing's for sure: using a washing machine cleaner regularly is the easiest way to keep your machine hygienic and fresh. And it's a lot cheaper than having to call our your plumber again, or even having to replace your entire washing machine.
Check out our selection of reviewed washing machine cleaners to buy right now if yours is looking a bit grubby and is in need of a deep clean. Whilst ranking these products, we've considered value for money as well as other added benefits. From formulas with eco-friendly packaging to solutions that kill bacteria, we can help you buy the best washing machine cleaner to suit your appliance.
Keeping on top of your washing machine cleaning schedule will ensure yours will last longer, so you can have fresh-smelling clothes whenever you need them. Once your washing machine cleaner has arrived, take a look at our cleaning a washing machine guide for some step-by-step instructions if you're stuck. Remember: without a washing machine cleaner, pipes can become clogged with limescale and drums impacted with detergent build-up. Don't say we didn't warn you...
The best washing machine cleaners
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Best washing machine cleaner
+ Works fast
+ Very versatile
+ Safe for pets
- Scent isn't nice
- No eco credentials
White vinegar works wonders when it comes to cleaning everything from your washing machine to your dishwasher. We often pour a load into our drum, as well as our dispenser drawer, and we run our machine on a hot wash to sanitise it. Hate the smell? Add some of your favourite Zoflora detergent to the mix, too. It's also safe to use around pets. A cupboard staple for sure — whether you have furry friends or not.
Best-smelling washing machine cleaner
+ Bottle made from recyclable PET
+ Made in Britain
+ Suitable for vegans
+ Attractive scent
+ Super affordable
If, like me, you stockpile Lush's Snow Fairy products each Christmas — we've got some good news. The clever people at Fabulosa have found a way to bottle this fragrance into a washing machine cleaner. So if you love the sweet scent of bubblegum, pear drops, and candy floss in the shower, your washing machine can now smell like this for as little as 50p per use. Available from Home Bargains, Poundland, and direct from the Fabulosa site.
Best manufacturer washing machine cleaner
+ Suitable for dishwashers as well as washing machines
+ Industrial-strength cleaner
+ Prevents build-up of limescale
It's always reassuring when you find a cleaning product made by the manufacturer of the appliance you're trying to tackle. I happen to have a Beko washer myself, but this 2-in-1 sachet works with other makes including Grundig, Blomberg, and Flavel. You get 12 sachets in a pack (one for every month of the year) and free next-day delivery when you buy directly from the brand.
Best for pet owners
+ Dissolves hair
+ Works on limescale and odours
+ Prevents blockages
+ Kills bacteria
+ Chlorine and bleach-free
- Plastic packaging
If your pet sheds on your favourite garments, it can clog your machine without you even knowing. Sure, some of us might use a lint roller before we pop items in the wash, but fur (and human hairs) can mangle your machine. You only need to empty one sachet of powder into your dispenser drawer every one to two months. The crystals can then get to work on an empty 60°C cycle, though they dissolve hair at higher temps.
Best for eco-friendly homes
+ Removes bad odours
+ Not tested on animals
+ Vegan
+ Safe for septic systems
- Tabs come in plastic film
- Requires 90°C wash
Like us, our appliances also need a bit of TLC, so imagine this as the effervescent multivitamin for your machine. All you need to do is unwrap one tablet out of the plastic wrapper, place it in your empty washer drum, and run it on your hottest wash (90°C/195°F). We liked that there wasn't a messy sachet or liquid to deal with and that the box contained six tablets (one to be used per month). Leaves your washer smelling super fresh.
Best for hard water areas
+ Softens hard water
+ Protects and cleans
+ Helps prevent limescale
+ Recommended by manufacturers
Washing machines do live longer with Calgon! True to its catchy TV jingle, these tabs increase the longevity of your laundry appliance by cleaning the inner drum and looking after the heating element to stop them from getting dirty and rusty. We particularly like that they can be used in hard water areas, as the active polycarboxylates will soften hard water minerals for a better working, sanitised, and odour-free machine.
Best liquid solution
+ Great for hard water areas
+ Cleans entire machine
+ Fresh fragrance
Kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria with this lemon-scented Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner and use it to remove limescale at the same time. It's recommended you use it every two months, but it can be used more regularly when the washer is starting to smell a bit iffy, especially if it's never been cleaned before. It leaves behind a citrus fragrance, too.
Best for colder cycles
+ Deep, powerful clean
+ Kills bacteria
+ Activated carbon
+ Leaves a refreshing scent
- Won't clean the drawer
Make your machine hygienic with this trusted formula which will degrease and deodorise your washing machine, whilst also killing micro-organisms and bacteria (including MRSA) that might be lurking in your machine. Pour the solution into your machine's drum and run it on a hot cycle for sparkling results. This is the product to use if you tend to run colder cycles.
Best for new washing machines
+ Multi-appliance product
+ Packaged as a 12-month supply
+ Cleans the tub, drum, element, pump and pipes
- Short use-by date
These sachets remove and prevent limescale, grease, and detergent build-up. It's a fantastic preventative solution for new washers, especially if you prefer using low-temperature wash cycles that don’t dissolve detergents as easily as a hot wash, which in turn leaves a residue behind.
Best for versatility
+ Also dishwasher safe
+ Allergy UK approved
+ Non-toxic, septic tank safe
+ 3 scents
+ Biodegradable packaging
- Not the best for hard water
The Ecozone Washing Machine and Dishwasher Cleaner is easy to use and good for the planet! It can help prevent pricey call-out charges and repair bills by ensuring your washing machine doesn’t break down due to limescale build-up.
Best for detergent build-up
+ Great for restoring
+ Removes limescale
+ Cleans at the same time
+ Recommended
- Mixed reviews
An all-in-one limescale, detergent, and purifying remover, the Care + Protect Limescale Remover is great for hard and soft water areas. You just need to use it once a month, plus it can also be used in the dishwasher. With 12 applications in one pack, simply pour half the contents of the sachet into the drum and the remaining into the drawer. Set on a 60ºC cycle — empty — and turn it on.
Real Homes review process
Here at Real Homes, we ideally would only recommend products that we've actually tried and tested. For peace of mind and so that you know you're buying something that actually works. In the case of these washing machine cleaners, our cleaning expert and ecommerce editor Christina Chrysostomou has tested a bunch of them in her own washing machine at home. Otherwise, she sourced help from other Real Homes team members with washing machines that are in need of a clean. The ones we're yet to test are on our radar for next time.
Meet the team members who've tested these washing machine cleaners.
Whether it's a boujee press event, a hot date with her husband-to-be, or she just wants to stroll into the office in a sassy outfit, Christina's washing machine (and laundry basket) work overtime. From casual fits to activewear to formal LBDs, it's essential her washer is ready to launder, so limescale, blockages, and bacteria are an absolute no-no.
With a landlord that lives in Australia, it's essential that she keeps her white goods in good working order. She tried the Vamoosh washing machine cleaner in her BEKO-branded machine and was pleased with the results. With thick, long, curly hair, the hair-dissolving technology was definitely something that sparked her interest in this product, and the low price point means she can run this in her machine every couple of months without it breaking the bank.
She's currently testing the Ecoegg Washing Machine Detox Tablets and will be sure to report back once she has.
With two pets in her household, Annie is always looking for a solution for cleaning her washing machine. More often than not, after washing her dog's bed and toys, she'll notice her washing machine has a slight odour.
She swears by the Stardrops White Vinegar solution for cleaning pretty much anything at home. Simply enough, she pours a little in her drum and some in her drawers, too, and puts her washing machine on a hot cycle. You can add some Zoflora into the mix if you really like, though you shouldn't notice that your drum smells like vinegar if you skip this part.
What is the best thing to clean a washing machine?
We rate the Stardrops White Vinegar highly among lots of our cleaning buying guides, mostly because of its versatility. It can be used to clean your washing machine, dishwasher, sink, and shower screen.
However, if you are looking for a specialist product, then we can recommend the Ecoegg Washing Machine Detox Tablets. For pet owners, you need to buy the Vamoosh washing machine cleaner as it banishes pet hairs and odours in a flash.
How to use washing machine cleaner
"Grease and limescale can build up relatively quickly in your washing machine's filter, spray arms, and pipes when it is being used day in and day out. It's really important that you maintain your machine properly and keep it clean as this results in a longer lifespan, plus, more importantly - a more effective wash, and cleaner clothes!" says Jennifer Sharpe, Chief Fragrance Officer at Fabulosa
To clean and freshen up your washing machine and get rid of any stubborn grease and limescale, you should be using a specialist cleaner - like Fabulosa's Washing Machine Cleaner - at least once a month. You need a product that also kills bacteria and viruses, as this is essential to eradicate those unpleasant smells.
Simply pour 125ml of the product into the soap dispenser and run your machine on an empty, short, hot cycle. For stubborn, persisting smells, simply repeat."
3 things to consider when choosing a washing machine cleaner
By keeping the inside of the washing machine clean, you’ll benefit from an appliance that won’t break down every few years or need a new part, which in turn saves you money and hassle in the long run. We rounded up what to look for in a good washing machine cleaner.
1. Does it tackle limescale?
When learning how to use a washing machine correctly, it’s important to clean the inside of it regularly in order for it to work properly. Not only does this deal with any unpleasant odours resulting from dampness, mould, and mildew, but it will also help prevent limescale build-up, the enemy of any appliance that uses water, especially if you live in a hard water area.
2. Does it tackle odours?
A good washing machine cleaner will tackle odours inside the appliance caused by soap scum and grease. When doing laundry, even the best washing pods or laundry detergents can leave some residue on clothes, which will leave your laundry smelling fresh.
3. Does it kill germs?
Look for a cleaner that works over time. Removing stinky odours, descaling, cleaning, and helping to protect plastic inner workings and the drum itself makes sense. But some solutions are antibacterial, too, killing germs at the same time, while others can also be used to clean a dishwasher.
Alternatives to washing machine cleaner
All of the washing machine cleaners on our list will do a good job of cleaning your appliances. Having said that, there's plenty of room to experiment with DIY washing machine cleaners.
Our top picks for this task are baking soda and dishwasher tablets. Simply put either (or both!) into your washing machine tray and run your machine on the hottest cycle. If you already own a dishwasher, that's one less product you need to buy.
We've loads more dishwasher tab hacks to try around the house, as well as all sorts of bicarb cleaning tricks and vinegar sanitising solutions, too.
How often should I clean my washing machine?
It's recommended to put your washing machine through a cleaning cycle at least once a week. If you're not using it as often, we recommend giving it a clean (both inside and outside) at least once a month. If you don't treat your appliance, you could face far more expensive bills in the future to repair washing machine damage caused by erosion or negligence.
Is washing machine cleaner worth it?
Washing machine cleaner is typically worth it, especially if there is a lot of hair and pet dander around your home.
"Hair (both human and pet hair) enters the washing machine via clothes and items such as towels and pet bedding," says Dave Toms, head scientist at Vamoosh. "A normal wash with detergent alone does not dissolve in water. When you mix water and hair, it clumps, which then clogs up and puts a lot of stress on your plumbing. However, Vamoosh's clever patented hair-dissolving technology breaks down the SS-bond in the keratin so that the hair breaks into smaller pieces and washes away."
Conversely, a good washer might already have some features built-in, so you can forego the chore of running a washing machine cleaner on an empty cycle altogether.
"Contrary to their primary purpose of keeping our clothes clean, washing machines can collect dirt and bacteria inside of them," says Vivien Fodor, category manager for Whirlpool UK & Ireland. "Yet one in five Brits never clean their washing machines — this is partly due to a lack of awareness of needing to, and people not knowing how."
More awareness and washing machine cleaners can help with this, as can owning an appliance that is self-cleaning. "To tackle this, at Hotpoint, we developed an automatic cleaning cycle that runs through our washing machines," says Fodor. "Simply press and hold the AutoClean button for five seconds, and the machine will start a cleaning cycle — removing detergent, soap build-up, chemicals, and bacteria."