Cleaning your washing machine is an essential task to maintain its efficiency and ensure clean and fresh-smelling laundry. While you can check for tell-tale signs such as unpleasant odours, grime and dirt, or decreased performance, regular cleaning will help you stay on top of maintenance and extend the life of your washing machine, ensuring fresh and efficient laundry every time.
So, say goodbye to limescale build up, detergent residues, and stale smells as we put the best washing machine cleaners from your favourite high street brands to the test. Read on to revitalise your washing machine's performance - and when you're done, check out our pick of the best-smelling fabric softeners to give your laundry a sweet scent every time.
Best washing machine cleaner
Dylon washing machine cleaner
Best for long-lasting odour control
Score 8/10
Pros
- Easy to use
- Removes limescale
Cons
- Only one per pack
Dylon Washing Machine Cleaner promises 5in1 deep clean action in just two easy steps.
How to use:
Make sure there are no clothes in your washing machine, and then simply open the sachet and empty contents into your machine’s detergent drawer. Choose a main wash cycle – I went for 60C, as recommended on the packet.
Sadly, the plastic sachet can’t be recycled, but the cardboard packaging can be.
Did it work?
This cleaner claims to have five deep clean actions in one. I can’t comment on the ‘hygiene’ action, other than this would be an expected benefit of it giving the machine a deep clean.
Much easier to judge was odour - prior to using, the drum smelled a bit stale, but after using the machine washing powder it was replaced with the rather curious scent of the washing machine powder – a sort of chemical fresh fragrance, which wasn’t as unpleasant as it sounds and means the claim to provide freshness is true.
The drum was sparkling, and the door and seal looked considerably cleaner, too, so it does indeed remove dirt and residue as it claims, though I couldn’t tell if it had cleaned the limescale off the internal machine parts – another one of the five actions - but there were no tell-tale residue signs in the drum.
Anything else we liked?
One month on and my washing machine drum still smells clean, which incidentally is the final of the five actions – it prevents odours for up to three months or 40 washes.
Value for money
This one-off sachet costs £3, but lasts for up to three months, so given it’s a reliable, well-known brand, we think while it might not be the cheapest, it’s good value and definitely worth a try.
Dr Beckmann’s Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner
Score: 7/10
Pros
- Extremely easy to use
- Contains activated carbon to neutralise odours
Cons
- Only one use per pack
- Not formulated to tackle limescale
This washing machine cleaner promises to destroy 99.9% of the bacteria and microorganisms, which can build up in a machine over time.
How to use:
I found Service-it extremely easy to use: simply pour the powder into an empty drum (the cardboard packaging can be disposed of in your regular household recycling) and run on a long, hot cycle - at a minimum of 60C and 60 minutes.
After using, the manufacturers suggest running an extra rinse and spin cycle before you put on your next laundry load, to ensure all traces of grime are eliminated.
Did it work?
After using as directed, the inside of the drum smelt fresher, and there was no sign of the stray pet hairs and lint which tend to build up around the seal.
Note that, although the packaging advertises Service-it as “lemon fresh”, the powder isn’t heavily scented. Whether you prefer a sweet-smelling product or one with a more neutral odour is totally a matter of personal preference, but it’s useful to know.
It’s also worth knowing that the product makes no claims to shift limescale, like some other washing machine cleaners. If limescale is an issue for your machine, you could try their Service-it Power Descaler.
Anything else we liked?
The formula contains activated carbon, great for neutralising musty odours.
Value for money?
Dr Beckman’s Service-it Deep Clean will cost you around £5 in supermarkets or online. Although as a single-use cleaner it’s not as budget-friendly as multiple-use cleaners, for an effective product from a reliable brand, we thought the price tag was reasonable.
Dettol 5-in-1 antibacterial washing machine cleaner
Best for removing limescale
Score: 7/10
Pros
- Kills 99.9% bacteria
- Removes limescale
Cons
- Single use product
- Only works on a 60 degree cycle
Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner promises to improve the hygiene and function of your washing machine in one use.
How to use:
This product couldn’t be easier to use – you simply pour 250mls into the detergent drawer and put the washing machine on one 60 degree cycle, without any laundry.
You can also use this product to clean the detergent drawer, glass door and seal of your washing machine by diluting one tablespoon (15ml) into 200mls of water, and wiping them down with a sponge – just be sure to use gloves.
Did it work?
After one use, my washing machine appeared much cleaner and smelt much fresher. Visible dirt and residue appeared to have been removed, and while the lavender scent didn’t smell much like real lavender, the stale odour was gone. A month after use, my machine still smells fresh.
I’d hoped this product might have been a miracle cure for the slightly mouldy spots lurking in the rubber seal of the machine, and while it must have removed the bacteria, it wasn’t able to totally remove the dark spots.
It’s hard to tell whether internal limescale has been removed, and it’s also difficult to judge whether the function of my washing machine has improved over such a short space of time, however, removing bacteria on a regular basis can never be a bad thing, and will, by default, make sure the clothes you put in the wash are clean.
It’s worth noting that limescale and dirt/residues when used every 2 months, so if you want long term results, you’ll have to keep using it.
It’s also useful to know that some users have found this product froths up in the machine and produces large quantities of foam, causing some machine doors to lock or overflow. While this wasn’t our experience, this should definitely be taken into account before you purchase the product.
Anything else we liked?
We like the fact that this is available in different scents – we chose the lavender, but you could also choose lemon, or opt for the original.
Value for money
This product is simple to use and effective. A single use bottle costs between £3.50 and £4.75 depending on where you shop. We’d say it’s good value for money if you can find it for around the £3.50 mark, but probably wouldn’t pay any more for it. If you get on with the product, you can find multi packs on the likes of Amazon.
How to clean a washing machine
While shop-bought cleaners offer convenience and targeted cleaning, homemade options can be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. If you fancy the DIY approach, follow these simple steps:
- Start by running a hot wash cycle with an empty machine, adding a cup of white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner. This helps remove any residue, odours, and limescale build up.
- Next, wipe down the drum, door seal, and detergent dispenser with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent, removing any grime or detergent residues. Don't forget to clean the filter, which is typically located at the front or bottom of the machine. It’s worth referring to your washing machine's manual for specific instructions on accessing and cleaning the filter.
- Lastly, leave the door and detergent drawer open after each use to allow air circulation and prevent mould and mildew growth.
We do love anything laundry related at YHS HQ, so check out our guide on how to stop clothes fading in the wash, and we also have a cheat sheet about the differences beteween bio or non-bio washing powder. We've written buyer's guides to the best energy efficient tumble dryers as well as the best dishwashers. And finally, if this has made you get your clean-freak on, read how to give your home a deep clean.
