The best washing machine cleaner is the one that fits your machine, addresses the problem you’re actually dealing with, and is easy enough to use regularly. There are several well-known options, including HeySunday, Affresh, Active, Tide, and OxiClean.
For most homes, a pre-measured tablet or pouch is an easy choice because there’s no measuring or guesswork involved. Simply add it to an empty washer and run the cleaning cycle recommended on the product label—often once or twice a month.
If you’re mainly dealing with odors, look for an oxygen-based formula. If hard-water buildup is the problem, a descaling formula may be more appropriate. And before choosing a cleaner, always check the label for details like fragrance, septic-system compatibility, and whether it’s suitable for your particular washer, including HE machines.
Now for the longer version, with a few confessions along the way.
The summer my kids joined swim team, I washed the same pile of beach towels almost every day. One afternoon I pulled a "clean" load out of the washer and it smelled like a damp basement. I rewashed it. Same smell. That's when it clicked: the towels weren't the problem. My washer was.
Since then, I've cleaned a lot of washers, in my own laundry room and in plenty of clients' homes. Here's everything I've learned about choosing the right cleaner, so you can skip the rewash-and-sniff routine.
Signs your washing machine needs a cleaner
Your washer is asking for help if you notice:
- A musty or sour smell when you open the door
- Laundry that smells stale right out of the wash
- Black spots or slime in the rubber door gasket or dispenser
- A white, chalky film on the drum
- Residue or specks on "clean" clothes
If you checked even one of those, you're in good company. Most of the washers I've opened for the first time have had at least two.
It's a little funny when you think about it: your washer spends its whole life full of soap and water, and it still gets dirty. Every load leaves a bit of detergent residue, hard-water minerals, and moisture behind. Over time, that adds up to a smell you can't unsmell.
"Most people overdose detergent assuming more means cleaner, but a machine can only rinse out so much per cycle, so the extra just stays in the fibers."
Dr. Cameron Rokhsar MD FAAD FAACS
Founder & Medical Director at New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery Center
The types of washing machine cleaners
Walk down the cleaning aisle and you'll find four main options.
You'll see tablets from brands such as Affresh, Active, and HeySunday; pouches from brands such as Tide and OxiClean; and liquids such as Glisten.
How to choose the best washing machine cleaner, step by step
Step 1: Check your washer type
Most cleaners work in front-load, top-load, and high-efficiency (HE) washers, but give the label a quick look to be sure.
If you have a front-loader, give it a little extra love. The first time I pulled back the rubber gasket on mine, I found a missing baby sock and a ring of gray gunk I'd rather not describe. That gasket traps moisture, which is exactly why front-loaders get musty faster and need cleaning more often.
Step 2: Name the problem you want to fix
Different formulas are built for different jobs, so start with what's bugging you:
Musty or sour smell: Look for an oxygen-based cleaner (sodium percarbonate).
White buildup or hard water: Look for a descaling acid, such as citric acid.Pet hair and dander: Look for an enzyme-based formula, and clean the drain filter more often. Ask me how I know. (One golden retriever. So much hair)
General upkeep: Honestly, any cleaner you'll use on schedule is the right one.
Step 3: Decide how you feel about scent
Scented cleaners leave a fresh fragrance behind.
Unscented or no-added-fragrance cleaners focus on removing odor instead of covering it.
In my house, we lean toward no added fragrance, because I'd rather my washer smell like nothing than like a perfume counter. If anyone in your home prefers to skip fragrance, check the label before you buy.
Step 4: Check for septic safety
On a septic system? Look for "septic-safe" on the package. It's a small detail that matters a lot.
Step 5: Read the ingredient list
I'm a label reader, and I'm not sorry about it. Some brands publish every ingredient, while others list only a few. If you like to know exactly what's going into your machine, pick a brand that lists everything. Then compare it with anything you already prefer to avoid, such as enzymes or bleach.
Step 6: Work out how long a box will last
A little kitchen-table math goes a long way. Check how often the label says to use it:
12 tablets used once a month last about a year.
24 tablets used twice a month also last about a year.
Compare the cost per clean, not just the price on the box.
Step 7: Pick the one you'll actually use
This is the step nobody talks about. The fanciest cleaner in the world won't help if it sits under the sink. I keep mine right next to the detergent and set a reminder on the first and fifteenth of the month. Pre-measured tablets or pouches like Hey Sunday make that habit so much easier, because there's nothing to measure.
Practical fixes I'd recommend: cut your detergent dose, add an extra rinse cycle … and clean your machine occasionally so old buildup doesn't redeposit onto fresh clothes.
Dr. Kyle Hoedebecke
Medical Doctor and Expert Contributor
What's inside a washing machine cleaner?
You don't need a chemistry degree for this part. Here's what the most common ingredients actually do:
- Sodium percarbonate: an oxygen-based cleaner that releases oxygen in water to help lift grime and odor.
- Sodium carbonate (washing soda): softens water and boosts cleaning.
- Citric acid: helps dissolve hard-water scale and mineral deposits.
- Enzymes (such as protease): break down organic buildup.
- Surfactants: lift loosened residue so it rinses away.
- Bleach (in some products): some cleaners use chlorine bleach, while others are bleach-free.
Washing machine cleaner vs. vinegar: which should you use?
I get this question all the time, usually from friends who already have a giant jug of vinegar in the pantry. Here's how the two compare:
If you'd like to try vinegar:
- Run a hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar.
- Run a second hot cycle with ½ to 1 cup of baking soda.
Check your owner's manual first, since manufacturer guidance on vinegar varies. And please never mix vinegar with bleach.
Whichever you choose, neither one replaces wiping the door gasket and clearing the drain filter by hand. Sorry, there's no shortcut there.
Quick decision guide
Choosing the best washing machine cleaner doesn't have to be complicated:
- Start with your washer type.
- Name the problem you want to fix.
- Check the label for scent, septic safety, and how often to use it.
- Pick a format you'll actually use.
Then make it a habit: empty hot cycle, quick gasket wipe, door open to dry.
These days, the swim towels come out smelling like, well, nothing. And that's exactly how I like it.
If you want a simple routine with no added fragrance and every ingredient listed, HeySunday Washing Machine Cleaner is an easy place to start.
Short on time? Here's the cheat sheet I'd hand a friend.
Whatever you choose, HeySunday Washing Machine Cleaner is one easy way to cover most of the list in a single tablet.
How to use a washing machine cleaner
Here's my routine. It takes about five minutes of actual effort.
- Empty the washer completely. Never run a cleaner with clothes inside.
- Wipe the door gasket and check the drum for small treasures like hair ties, coins, and the occasional crayon.
- Add the cleaner. Most tablets go directly in the drum, not the dispenser. Follow the label.
- Run the hottest cycle, or your washer's "Clean Washer," "Tub Clean," or "Self Clean" cycle.
- Wipe the drum and gasket dry when the cycle ends.
- Leave the door and dispenser drawer open so the inside can dry.
Want the full deep clean, dispenser drawer and drain filter included? Read how to clean a washing machine.
How often should you use a washing machine cleaner?
Start with the product label: some cleaners are made for once a month, others for twice a month.
As a general guide, many cleaning experts suggest cleaning your washer every one to four months, and at least monthly for front-loaders. Clean more often if you:
- have hard water
- have pets
- run a lot of loads (hello, sports season)
- notice the smell creeping back
Common mistakes to avoid
I've made a few of these myself, so no judgment here.
- Running the cleaner with clothes inside. Cleaning cycles should always run empty.
- Putting a tablet in the dispenser when the label says to use the drum.
- Using a cold or quick cycle. I once ran a tablet on a quick wash to save time, and the smell was back within a week. Most cleaners are designed for hot water or a dedicated cleaning cycle.
- Mixing cleaners. Never combine bleach with vinegar or ammonia-based products.
- Skipping the gasket and filter. A cleaner can't remove debris trapped in the drain filter or gunk hiding in the gasket folds.
- Closing the door right away. Trapped moisture is how the smell sneaks back in.
- Using too much detergent in regular loads. Extra soap leaves residue behind.
Overloading the machine and using too much product leaves a film that never fully rinses out, and that film is what your barrier keeps reacting to.
Katelyn Fitzgerald
Founder & CEO at Luminous Skin Lab
See how many laundry detergent sheets to use per load.
Washing machine cleaner FAQ
What is the best washing machine cleaner?
The best one matches your washer and your problem:
- an oxygen-based formula for odor
- a descaling acid for hard water
- an enzyme-based formula for pet households
Pre-measured tablets like HeySunday Washing Machine Cleaner make it easiest to stick to a routine.
Do washing machine cleaners actually work?
They're designed to break down detergent residue, hard-water scale, and odor-causing buildup that regular washes leave behind. They work best alongside regular gasket wiping and filter cleaning.
Are washing machine cleaner tablets better than vinegar?
Tablets are pre-measured and usually need one cycle. Vinegar needs measuring, often a second cycle, and leaves a smell until it airs out. Both can be part of a good routine.
Can I use a washing machine cleaner in an HE washer?
Most cleaners are formulated for HE machines, but check the label.
Do I put the tablet in the drum or the detergent dispenser?
Most tablets go directly in the empty drum. Always follow your product's instructions.
Are washing machine cleaners safe for septic systems?
Many are, but not all. Look for "septic-safe" on the label.
How long does a box of washing machine cleaner last?
A 12-count box used monthly lasts about a year, and so does a 24-count box used twice a month.
Can I use a washing machine cleaner if I prefer no fragrance?
Yes. Choose an unscented or no-added-fragrance formula, and check the ingredient list.
