The best washing machine cleaners for 2022, according to a cleaning expert
WHERE would we be without our washing machines? As anyone can tell you, the closer you creep towards middle age, the more your fantasies revolve around getting the right appliances – and looking after them.
While a washing machine is an essential piece of home kit, like everything else around the house, it needs a bit of TLC every now and again – and that’s where the best washing machine cleaners come in.
You might not think of your washing machine as a breeding ground for bacteria, but as US microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba discovered in numerous studies, germs like staphylococcus, E. coli, hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus, and salmonella can all be found living in the washing machine.
While washing clothes at 60 degrees should be enough to kill off any microbes on clothing, your washing machine should still get a good scrub-down every once in a while to get rid of any limescale or smells. You can invest in some of these washing machine cleaning products, from kitchen-cupboard white vinegar to balls that fight limescale, and watch your favourite toy sparkle again.
We’ve done all the hard work for you in this round-up of the best washing machine cleaners available by consulting a cleaning expert with years of experience, The Essex House Dolly.
How to clean your washing machine, according to an expert
According to Nicola Rodriguez AKA Essex House Dolly, there are four steps you need to follow if you want to clean your washing machine properly.
- First off, you need to clean you washing machine drawer in order to “prevent a build up of mould, fabric conditioner residue and gunk”. Once a week, Nicola recommends submerging the drawer in hot water to remove any residue, spray a cleaning spray all over it and leaving it for 15 minutes before you wipe it clean. If there’s any gunk in hard to reach areas, you can use a toothbrush to be extra thorough.
- While your drawer is soaking, go over the compartment where the drawer sits with a damp cloth and wipe it clean. If there’s any black marks, Nicola recomments using Mr Bang or a white vinegar spray.
- Now for the drum. Once a week, Nicola will pour two cups of distilled white wine vinegar and one cup of baking soda directly into the drum before giving it a good scrub.
- The final step is running the hottest cycle your machine can muster, and giving the outside of your machine a good wipe.
Best washing machine cleaners at a glance
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Best overall: Dettol Anti Bacterial Washing Machine Cleaner
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- Dettol Anti Bacterial Washing Machine Cleaner, 250 ml, £3.50 from Amazon – buy here
This Dettol washing machine cleaner should be used every couple of months in a wash, and promises to kill 99.9% of bacteria, as well as get rid of any unpleasant odours and limescale.
It’s anti-bacterial and will scour away any pesky limescale, leaving your just-clean washing fresh and free from bugs.
After use every two months or so, Dettol recommends running an empty cycle on a 60-degree wash which will reach hidden areas encrusted with dirt and bacteria – leaving a long-lasting, fresher clean.
Best eco washing machine cleaner: Ecozone Magnoball
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- Ecozone Washing Machine and Dishwasher Anti-Limescale Ball, from £7.68 on Amazon – buy here
We’re all looking for eco-friendly solutions to our everyday needs where we can find them, and Ecozone’s anti-limescale ball works in both dishwashers and washing machines to prevent any scale accumulation (it also softens the water).
It reduces the need for plastic-heavy anti-limescale tablets and plastic-bottled detergent – and vows to last for up to five years.
It’s a long-term solution for washes under 60 degrees, that uses magnetic power to crystallise calcium particles in the water used in your washing machine – pretty nifty, right?
It’s also a must-have for anyone who happens to suffer from allergies since it’s a chemical-free and vegan solution.
Best basic washing machine cleaner: Ecodoo White Vinegar
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White vinegar is one of those multi-tasking cupboard must-haves: it can help make windows shine, descale various household appliances, work effectively as a fabric softener and you can even add it to marinades.
To clean your washing machine, run it while empty with a half litre of white vinegar.
You can also follow up with a cycle with bicarbonate of soda for that spick-and-span, germ-free clean.
This one-size-fits-all versatile product is a budget and eco-friendly way to eliminate plastic bottles choking your kitchen cupboards, without the harmful chemicals.
Best professional-approved washing machine cleaner: HG Service Engineer
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- HG service engineer for washing machines and dishwashers, £7.64 from Amazon – buy here
This hero product does the job of deep cleaning your washing machine and dishwasher to help prevent malfunctions down the line – the idea is that since professionals helped to develop the product, you won’t need to use their real-life services as often when you use it.
For under a tenner, this promises enough product for up to four deep cleans, and using it will prevent filters, floats, drain pipes and other tricky-to-fix parts from breaking down.
It also makes sure that your rubber seal remains water-right, preventing more malfunctions in the long run.
The product recommends filling your detergent tray with the cleaner and choosing the highest temperature possible.
The many five-star reviewers also insist it’s ideal for removing any musty smells.
Best washing machine cleaner with wipe: Dylon Washing Machine Cleaner 5-in-1
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- DYLON Washing Machine Cleaner 5 in 1, £3.25 from Amazon – buy here
You may well know DYLON as the go-to dye brand when your clothes need a colour refresh.
Its washing machine cleaner not only descales, but also removes dye stains and comes with a handy wipe to let you get right in there.
It promises to descale and remove any old gunk and residue that affects the freshness of your washing machine – working best at 60 degrees.
Best washing machine cleaner for mouldy seals: Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover
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Fans often recommend Cillit Bang Power Cleaner Black Mould Remover for tackling mouldy walls…but did you know it can also come in handy on your washing machine, too?
As all too many of us know, mould can begin to build up around the rubber seal inside the door, thanks to the water that naturally pools there. Not only is it horrible to look at – and bad for our health – but it can also end up on our clothes. Not the desired effect.
Thankfully, this powerhouse product is effective without scrubbing, which makes it ideal for mouldy washing machine seals.
Simply spray it on, leave for 15 minutes, wipe away the gunk and mould – and hey presto, your machine will look as good as new.
Best washing machine cleaner for limescale build-up: Calgon Powerball Water softener Tablets
- Calgon Powerball Water softener Tablets, £8.50 from Amazon – buy here
If you live in a hard water area, you’re more likely to have limescale build-up in your washing machine.
Calgon helps protect your machine from limescale build-up, which not only extends the life of your washing machine and ensures it operates well, but also leaves clothes smelling fresh and fabulous.
These washing machine cleaner tabs have a substantial following of devotees who use them in every wash, or every other wash, commenting that they’re “impressed”, and that these are “amazing in very hard water areas”.
Best budget buy: Sainsbury’s Washing Machine Cleaner
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- Sainsbury’s Washing Machine Cleaner, £2.50 – buy here
Supermarket buys are great for savvy shoppers on a budget – and this washing machine cleaner from Sainsbury’s doesn’t scrimp on quality… but it does on price.
For £2.50, you can get a long-lasting deep-cleaner that ticks all the boxes – including eliminating odours, limescale and residue build-up, cleans, fragrances and helps save energy.
It’s no frills, without the fancy labels, but does the job and is great for chucking in your basket on your next shop.
Best soda crystals: Dri-Pak Soda Crystals
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- Dri-Pak Soda Crystals, £1.39 from Big Green Smile – buy here
Soda crystals are a multi-purpose appliance life-saver, and especially great for softening the water in your washing machine – meaning you’ll need less detergent over time.
It helps remove stains and make clothes softer, and with regular use, Dri-Pak states that it’ll help free your washing machine of limescale and residue build-up in the long run.
It’s versatile, too – helping to keep sinks and drains fresh and free from blockages, as well as removing dirt from pans and patios.
Best washing machine cleaner for allergies: Ecozone Washing Machine & Dishwasher Cleaner
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- Ecozone Eucalyptus Washing Machine & Dishwasher Cleaner, £24.99 from Big Green Smile – buy here
This is ideal for those suffering from pesky allergies, but still want to keep their washing machine (and dishwasher!) fresh and free from dirt.
This versatile product from Ecozone is approved by Allergy UK and suitable for vegans, so you know it’s non-toxic and does the job right.
It helps descale limescale and dirt or residue build-ups, and cleans and maintains pipework to lengthen your appliance’s lifespan.
Best for getting rid of hair: Vamoosh 6-in-1 Washing Machine Cleaner
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- Vamoosh 6-in-1 Washing Machine Cleaner, £4.99 from Amazon – buy here
We’d never thought of it, either – but this is the first washing machine cleaner we’ve come across with the tech and know-how to actually dissolve hair build-ups.
This versatile washing machine cleaner from Vamoosh is a 6-in-1, and as well as being able to dissolve hair that lingers on all of our clothes. It eliminates limescale, blockages, bad odours, bacteria and dirt or residue.
Best washing machine cleaner for protecting metal parts: Dr. Beckmann Service-It Washing Machine Cleaner
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Shoppers rate Dr. Beckmann’s Service-It Washing Machine Cleaner for maintaining your washing machine and preventing the damage that can come about due to limescale and detergent build-up.
The gentle-yet-effective cleaner can be used on the rubber seal, in the detergent drawer and in the drum itself “ to clean, freshen and maintain your washing machine”.
With activated carbon that dissolves dirt and grime, it also promises to prolong the life of your washing machine if you use it regularly, as well as prevent breakdowns.
Use every 30 washes or so to help your machine will stay in tip-top condition.
What is the best washing machine cleaner?
The Essex House Dolly has researched many products in her time, and there’s one that stands out as her firm favourite.
She says, “The Dettol 5 in 1, which can be purchased from Amazon for £3 for 250ml. It kills 99% of bacteria, removes limescale and dirt and leaves a lovely smell in your machine. I have used this product recently and was very pleased with the results”.
But how do you use this magical washing machine cleaner? All you need to do is put the washing machine on an empty 60-degree cycle for around half an hour to thoroughly clean it.
Once the cycle is finished, you can also clean the glass door and seal by diluting the Dettol liquid with water and applying it to the area with a sponge.
Use the cleaner on an empty washing machine every two months to keep your machine in tip-top condition.
How to use washing machine cleaner
There are various ways to clean your washing machine. How much of a deep-clean it needs depends on your washing machine and the product you buy.
If it’s a tablet, you often place it in the drum; with a detergent, it goes in the drawer – either way, we recommend taking a quick look at the product’s instructions first.
Most products, regardless of type, recommend doing a hot (around 60 degree) empty wash with the product first to ensure your machine is deep-cleaned before popping on a regular clothes cycle.
Should you clean your washing machine?
If you notice a smell coming from your washing machine or your ‘clean’ clothes, that’s a sign you should probably give your washing machine a clean.
Washes at 40 degrees and below can be a breeding ground for bacteria, but one way to clean your washing machine monthly, without much effort, is to run a hot cycle with no clothes or detergent in the machine.
How much are washing machine cleaners?
Washing machine cleaners are fairly inexpensive – Sainsbury’s Washing Machine Cleaner is £2.50 for a single dose and a cleaner like Dri-Pak Soda Crystals only costs £1.39 for a 1kg bag, so it can be used multiple times in your washing machine and works out at just a few pence per use.
Even the most expensive product in our list – the Ecozone Eucalyptus Washing Machine & Dishwasher Cleaner priced at £24.99 includes enough tablets for 36 cleans, so it actually works out at around 69p per tablet – not bad value at all.
What to look for in a washing machine cleaner
This depends on your specific needs – are you worried about germs? Then go for one that promises to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria like Dettol.
Is limescale build-up a real issue for you? Calgon is excellent at breaking down limescale residue.
Consider whether you want your washing machine cleaner to have a scent or be odourless.
Are environmental issues high up on your priority list? Check how your cleaner will be packaged – Ecoegg tablets have no harsh chemicals in their ingredients and come with no unnecessary plastic packaging.
Check how many uses you can get from each pack or bottle as keeping up with cleaning your washing machine is an ongoing process and depending on the age of your machine and how often you use it, you may have to clean it once or twice a month.
Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?
Both are good at cleaning washing machines, but have different properties – bleach kills germs, so if you need to disinfect your washing machine, bleach is the better option. That said, it’s very potent and releases fumes that can irritate skin and eyes.
If we’re talking just cleaning and not disinfecting, vinegar is the better choice – it’s a non-toxic mild acid that can tackle mould effectively, clean oil residue, and it breaks down other dirt and stains very well. Unlike bleach, its production is environmentally friendly and while its smell does pack a punch it’s not toxic.
It’s worth noting: bleach and vinegar should never be mixed when cleaning as they produce a deadly gas when combined.
