Best dishwasher cleaner to spruce up your machine 2024
Is your dishwasher failing to perform at its best? If your glasses are no longer gleaming and your dishes are coming out dirty, here are the best dishwasher cleaners recommended by Mumsnet users.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated May 15, 2024
When it comes to household appliances, dishwashers can be a huge time saver when juggling busy family life. Whether you opt for a freestanding or integrated dishwasher, these smart and efficient appliances allow you to sit back and put your feet up while your dishes are restored to their former glory, leaving your plates, cups and cutlery clean, dry and ready to use with your next meal.
What you may not realise, however, is that even the best dishwashers require regular cleaning and maintenance. Fail to look after your dishwasher and you can easily end up with a smelly appliance and plates that come out covered in baked-on food, even after a full cycle. Whether used in tablet, liquid or powder form, a dishwasher cleaner is a quick and efficient way to keep your appliance running at its best and can help to achieve a deep clean, banish odours and prevent future faults or performance issues.
To bring you our pick of the best dishwasher cleaners, we’ve tapped into the tried-and-tested experiences of trusted Mumsnet users, seeking out recommendations on the products they have used and would happily recommend to others. We've also scrutinised wider consumer reviews and expert opinions, gathering feedback on ease of use, performance and value for money to bring you the top dishwasher cleaners that help you achieve sparkling clean dishes every time.
Looking for more cleaning must-haves? We also have guides to the best glass cleaner and oven cleaner, as recommended by Mumsnetters.
Best dishwasher cleaner UK
Best dishwasher cleaner overall
Finish In-Wash Dishwasher
Machine Cleaner Tablets
Best dishwasher cleaner for mould
HG Service Engineer Dishwasher
& Washing Machine Cleaner
Best eco-friendly dishwasher cleaner
Ecozone Washing Machine
& Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet
Easy to use (simply place at the bottom of your dishwasher)
Effective at removing hard water stains and limescale
You can use it during your usual wash cycle
Cleans hidden areas like spray arms and the filter
Recommended to be used weekly - however, many reviewers use it once a month with good results
Price on writing: £14 (for 12 tablets) | Type: Tablet | Scent: Unscented | No.of cleans: Three per pack (four packs included)
While Finish recommends using their dishwasher cleaner once a week, Mumsnet users and reviewers found that the Finish In-Wash Tablets work impressively well during a monthly maintenance cycle. Unlike many dishwasher cleaners that need to be placed inside an empty appliance, these easy-to-use tablets can be added to your regular wash (using an intensive cycle) to clean your machine at the same time as your dirty dishes.
Simply place it at the bottom of the dishwasher and let the tablets work their magic, removing hard water stains and limescale across even hard-to-reach areas such as the spray arms and filter. Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaner is also completely fragrance-free, with no obvious scent when you use a glass straight out of the machine.
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Affordable option
Recommended use once a month
The majority of reviewers praised the fresh grapefruit and pomegranate scent
Some may prefer an unscented cleaner
Some reviewers found it didn't disperse fully during use
Filter needs to be removed and cleaned separately
Single-use plastic waste
Price on writing: £1 | Type: Liquid | Scent: Pink grapefruit and pomegranate | No.of cleans: One
If you’re after a cheap and cheerful dishwasher cleaner that you can pick up alongside your weekly food shop, Crystale makes a budget-friendly choice, particularly as the brand recommends using it just once a month.
While it does require an empty cycle running at 65°C or above, it’s fairly simple to use. Simply remove the label from the lid and place the bottle upside down in the top shelf of your dishwasher. Dispersed during the cycle, this dishwasher cleaner works hard to remove any build-up of grease, grime and limescale, leaving nothing but a fresh grapefruit and pomegranate fragrance behind.
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Designed to fit in the top shelf of all dishwashers
Fresh lemon scent
Works well at neutralising odours
Cleans and descales hidden parts
Single-use plastic waste
Not everyone will like the (relatively strong) lemon scent
Price on writing: £3 | Type: Liquid | Scent: Lemon | No.of cleans: One
This easy-to-use dishwasher cleaner certainly lives up to its name, putting some much-needed elbow grease into restoring shine, descaling limescale and freshening up your dishwasher - including the parts you cannot see.
We love the uniquely shaped bottle that fits securely into the top shelf of all models - including slimline dishwashers. Elbow Grease is really effective at banishing unpleasant odours left behind by food residue, however, not everyone is a fan of the relatively strong lemon scent.
Suitable for use in both washing machines and dishwashers
Removes soap scum, limescale and dirt
Recommended by professional dishwasher engineers and repair services
Advised to use every three months
Needs to be used on the highest temp and empty cycle to be effective
Some reviewers found it left a residue behind
More costly than some
Price on writing: £9 | Type: Liquid | Scent: Unspecified | No.of cleans: Two to four per bottle
As your dishwasher gets older, you may notice a build-up of grime, limescale and even mould - which is not only unsightly but can also leave your appliance unhygienic, smelly and failing to clean effectively.
HG Service Engineer Dishwasher & Washing Machine Cleaner is recommended by professional dishwasher engineers to help remove soap scum, limescale and dirt from your appliances, used once every three months during an empty ‘service cycle’ for impressive results.
While it may appear relatively costly initially, each dual-purpose bottle provides between two and four washes, offering excellent overall value for money.
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Ecozone Washing Machine & Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet
Suitable for use in the washing machine and dishwasher
Fragrance-free
A more eco-friendly cleaner made from natural ingredients
Needs to be used on an empty hot cycle
Price on writing: £6 | Type: Tablet | Scent: Unscented | No.of cleans: Six
If you’re worried about the use of chemicals or are simply seeking a more natural alternative, Ecozone Washing Machine and Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets are an eco-friendly choice that comes highly recommended by Mumsnet users. With a vegan-friendly, plant-based formula, they’re completely plastic-free, with a soluble packet that simply washes away during use.
Recommended for use monthly, their two-in-one treatment kit features six fragrance-free tablets that are suitable for both appliances. In the dishwasher, simply pop onto the bottom of your appliance and run on a hot wash to remove limescale, eliminate detergent build-up and neutralise odours.
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Removes 99.9% of bacteria from your dishwasher
Fresh lemon scent
Includes hygiene wipe to clean door seal
More costly (per treatment) than some
Price on writing: £3 | Type: Powder | Scent: Lemon | No.of cleans: One
Dr Beckmann’s doesn’t just make some of the best carpet shampoo, they also produce an impressive two-step dishwasher cleaner that can leave your dishwasher sparkling clean from top to bottom. We love the inclusion of a hygiene wipe to use on the door seal - an area of your dishwasher that is easy to overlook.
Recommended for use every two months or after every 30 wash cycles (whichever comes sooner), simply fill the detergent compartment with Dr Beckmann’s Service-it Deep Clean powder to eliminate grease, residues and unpleasant odours from your dishwasher. The brand also claims to remove 99.9% of bacteria and microorganisms, leaving a hygienic dishwasher with a fresh lemon scent.
How to clean a dishwasher
Just like any household appliance, your dishwasher needs some regular TLC to keep it running at its best, especially if you use it multiple times a week. Keeping your dishwasher clean and hygienic can not only produce better cleaning results but can also prevent costly faults and breakdowns and allow you to enjoy the benefits for longer.
If you’re not sure where to start - fear not - we’ve collated Mumsnetters’ top five tips on how to clean a dishwasher that can have your dishwasher fresh and sparking in next to no time. As well as running a regular cycle with vinegar or dishwasher cleaner, other simple and stress-free dishwasher cleaning steps include:
Removing the bottom rack and residue
Cleaning the filter regularly (approximately once a week)
Wiping down both the exterior and interior
Cleaning the spray arms
Don't forget to pay attention to the hidden corners of your dishwasher
For more details on each step, see our full guide on how to clean a dishwasher.
What’s the best natural dishwasher cleaner?
While you could opt for a natural dishwasher cleaner such as Ecozone, Mumsnet users also recommend using other natural ingredients such as vinegar to keep your dishwasher clean.
Simply add a cup of white vinegar to a small container and add it to the top rack of your empty dishwasher before running the appliance on a hot cycle. For removing more stubborn grime, limescale or residue, a cup of baking soda can provide an extra boost of cleaning power.
"I cut a lemon in half and shove it on the top and put about 200ml white wine vinegar in a measuring jug at the bottom. I then put it on a really hot pan wash with nothing else in it about every six weeks or so (after I’ve cleaned the filter out yet again!). It’s loads cheaper than the dishwasher cleaners." Tip from Mumsnet user PipsM
"I use white vinegar, good for limescale and getting rid of smells. Do clean the seals regularly, they get disgusting!" Suggestion from Mumsnet user LuxuryWoman2017
How to maintain your dishwasher
As well as keeping your dishwasher clean, there are several other steps you can take to maintain your machine health and improve its lifespan.
Read the instructions - While no one really enjoys reading the manual, understanding the specifications of your own model can ensure you are using it correctly. From selecting the right cycle to where you should place your dishwasher tablets, learning about your dishwasher can prevent rookie mistakes or oversights that could reduce performance.
Use high-quality detergent - Use the best dishwasher tablets and ensure you are using them as specified by the brand for sparkling results, especially for an extra greasy load.
Run a maintenance cycle regularly - Don’t wait until you have a problem to clean your dishwasher. Carrying out a regular maintenance cycle with a dishwasher cleaner (at least once a month) is a proactive way to keep it performing at its best. Don’t forget to remove the filter and check the drain is clear, as well as wipe down door seals and spray arms for the best results.
Use dishwasher salt - Particularly if you are in a hard water area, dishwasher salt can prevent the build-up of limescale inside your dishwasher by softening the water during the cycle. Rinse aid is also an essential part of dishwasher maintenance.
Load it correctly - As well as scraping off significant excess food waste which can cause blockages, it’s important not to overload or overstack your dishwasher. Most modern dishwashers have height-adjustable shelving and adjustable racks to help accommodate dishes, pots and Tupperware of different shapes and sizes. Overloading your dishwasher can not only reduce the quality of the clean, it can damage the racks and cutlery trays.
Use your dishwasher regularly - If you haven’t used your dishwasher for a while for routine cleaning, run the hottest cycle empty before loading it with dirty dishes - this can remove stagnant water and nasty smells which can be unhygienic.
How we chose the best dishwasher cleaner
Recommendations from real parents
To bring you our definitive list of the best dishwasher cleaners you can buy today, we first sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, getting their feedback on the dishwashers that they rate, recommend and use in their own dishwashers.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnet users highlighted products that they felt were overpriced, smelled too strong, or simply failed to remove limescale, dirt or grime.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the dishwasher cleaners we recommend are fit for purpose whether you live in a hard or soft water area, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best dishwasher cleaners on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Lakeland and online supermarkets.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby, child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
After buying her first ever dishwasher in 2022, Lucy knows only too well the benefits that a clean and high-performing dishwasher can bring when juggling family life. Lucy's also written a number of Mumsnet round-ups of the top home products - including the best budget dishwashers, most energy-efficient dishwashers, and best tabletop dishwashers, so she's somewhat of a Mumsnet expert when it comes to sniffing out the top appliances for families.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
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