The 11 best washing machine cleaners for a clean, fresh-smelling washing machine

For parents struggling with an overflowing laundry basket and a dirty washing machine, you'll want to try HG Deep Clean and Service. Different label, same great formula, it is the perfect multi-use appliance cleaner you can use on your washing machine and dishwasher. Rated by Mumsnetters for achieving real results, it is hands down the best washing machine cleaner and one of the most recommended on our forums.

From the filter to the pipes, HG claims that its product prevents faults from clogged machinery and smelly build-up, prolonging its lifespan (and saving you money in the long run!). It’s simple to use - pour it into your detergent tray, then run it at the highest possible temperature on a complete cycle. That’s it!  Suitable for all the major washing machine makes and brands, some users claimed it left an unpleasant smell and residue behind. However, as one previous customer said, “a washing machine cleaner is not a miracle worker”. Ensuring it is in complete working order and that you’ve cleaned the filter, gasket rim and detergent drawer first (especially if you have never cleaned your washing machine before!). While you’ll pay more for a multi-pack, the price per pack works out similarly to other products on our list.

Trusted by Mumsnet users, Dr Beckmann Service-It Deep Clean is our best budget washing machine cleaner that'll solve your laundry woes. Most effective when used regularly, this product won’t remove months of build-up but will prevent it if used consistently. Its main ingredient is sodium percarbonate – a gentler alternative to chlorine bleach – which can still kill microorganisms and mould spores and sterilise the insides of your washing machine. It also uses activated carbon to absorb harmful particles and substances, helping your system flush out dirt and limescale.

Dr Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner claims to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and fungi and tackles limescale, reducing the risk of machine breakdowns. Zeolites soften the water, while hexyl cinnamal and limonene create a fresh lemon scent. Some previous customers noted that this brand needed a longer cycle to be effective, which isn’t ideal with high-energy prices, but they all found it simple to use. Just pour it into the detergent drawer of your washing machine and set it on a hot, empty wash. The manufacturer advises using every two months or every 30 washes, depending on which comes sooner for you.

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Dettol Washing Original is a 5-in-1 washing machine cleaner that claims to eradicate bacteria, odours, limescale, and dirt and freshen your machine simultaneously. We particularly love the simplicity of this product - available in Fresh, Lemon or Lavender scents; just pour a 250ml dose into the detergent drawer and switch on a 60°C without any laundry in the drum. Job done.

It contains benzalkonium chloride to kill microorganisms, lactic acid to descale and disinfect and surfactants to eradicate dirt. As you’d expect from a staple brand such as Dettol, it also includes disinfectants. Dettol advises using this liquid washing machine cleaner every two months. Be warned; some reviewers claimed it foamed up so much that it leaked out of the machine, so follow the instructions carefully!

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Living in a hard water area can be tough on your appliances; from your best clothes steamer to your washing machine, they must be de-scaled frequently. Whilst it is true that Calgon Powerball Water Softener Tablets are expensive, there is no doubt that they’re effective. Recommended by Mumsnetters and plumbers, they agree that this is the best washing machine cleaner for hard water areas - a one size fits all solution to your problems!

Designed with 3-in-1 protection for your washing machine, adding just one tablet to your wash will clean your laundry, prevent limescale and remove residues left over from detergents, adding years to the lifespan of your washer. However, with only 45 tablets in the box, a family of four is sure to rocket through them and, as a result, not be as cost-effective over time. Although, what you lose in your weekly supermarket shop, will be balanced out by using these tablets to optimise energy consumption by keeping critical internal parts of your machine clean - saving you money on your water and electricity bills! If your budget doesn’t stretch, consider buying a supermarket brand alternative (as these can be just as good).

For the eco-conscious looking to make environmentally-friendly product swaps, Ecozone’s washing machine cleaner tablets might just be for you. Non-toxic, vegan-certified and dermatologically safe, pop one of their six tablets into your machine at 60°C+ for lemony-scented freshness that’ll help your laundry to come out cleaner than ever!

Like HG Service-it Deep Clean, Ecozone’s Washing Machine Cleaner can also be used on your dishwasher! However, some reviewers report that it is less effective and that they’d prefer to buy a dishwasher-specific cleaner instead, but it’s worth giving it a whirl at this price.  Animal lovers will also be happy to learn that this product is free from animal testing and approved by Cruelty-Free International.

Read next: For other environmentally-friendly product swaps, check out our guide to the best laundry detergents for babies to see which are kind to skin and the planet.

Duzzit’s washing machine cleaner is a reasonably priced addition to your laundry routine that is guaranteed to leave your machine smelling lovely and fresh. The catch? It is slightly more complicated than others.

To get it to work effectively, mix 50ml with four litres of water and leave it to soak in the detergent drawer for 30 minutes. Then pour 200ml into the detergent drawer and run a wash programme at 60°C, ensuring the drum is empty. At the end of the cycle, wipe the rubber door seal with a damp cloth. That’s a pretty hefty addition to your to-do list, but Duzzit claims you only need to do this every three months with their product, so you might want to set a reminder. It is a 3-in-1 cleaner that uses surfactants to absorb dirt, antimicrobials to stop nasty bacteria from growing and chloromethylisothiazolone to fight mould and fungi. Duzzit claims it also combats 100% of limescale, leaving behind a fresh scent and a clean machine.

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The second Ecozone product on our list, the Ecozone Magnoball, is designed to be added to every wash and claims that you’ll see results within five days of use. It is a cost-effective, reusable washing machine cleaner that is kind to the environment, cruelty-free and can be used for the dishwasher, making it great value for money.

Ecozone's anti-limescale ball works by softening water and preventing limescale accumulation by using two magnets to attract minerals; just chuck it into the drum and let it do its thing. To top it off, it is cruelty-free, non-toxic and approved by Allergy UK. The Magnoball can be used over and over again in every cycle below 60 degrees for up to five years. However, a few previous customers found that their ball broke, so most customers say they tend to replace it after a year of use.

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Dylon’s 5-in-1 washing machine cleaner is ideal for heavily soiled machines, with some previous customers finding it effective even against dye! An effective descaler, it claims to protect your trusty washer from colour-run, promising to tackle bacteria, smells and limescale build-up.

Containing surfactants and benzalkonium chloride to blast nasties, it should leave your washing machine smelling fragrant. Reasonably priced at just £2, a pack comes with two sachets; to use, just dump one in and let the machine run on a 60-degree wash. Afterwards, Dylon recommends you wipe the inside of the seal with their treatment wipe, which should come included (just double-check the box on arrival!).

Not strictly a washing machine cleaner, Cillit Bang Mould Spray is a versatile household product you can use in any damp, hard-to-reach areas where mould may be present. It is ideal for the rubber seal, detergent draws, and filter of your washing machine, and it’s so effective you shouldn’t need to scrub.

Wherever you've found black mould, simply spray onto the seal and leave for 15 minutes, and you should see visible results in minutes. Not only will it look so much cleaner, but it can also help kill bacteria and germs. Just remember, this is a powerful cleaner, so please wear gloves and be careful when using it. It also leaves a potent chemical smell, so make sure to give it a good rinse.

Read next: For more mould-tackling products, don't forget to check out our guides to the best mould removers and best dehumidifiers

Many Mumsnet users swear by soda crystals as a powerful and effective way to clean your washing machine. It also helps that at around £1 a bag, the Dri-Pak Soda Crystals are very cost-effective, saving you time and money!

Simply add the crystals to your machine and run a hot wash to help remove limescale and residue build-up. Dri-Pak Soda Crystals also help to remove any nasty odours. Be warned; you may need to take a hammer to it as some users found the crystals arrived in a big lump. We love the versatility of these soda crystals - as well as cleaning your washing machine; you can use them to remove stains, soften clothes, clean everything from your sinks, paths and jewellery and even remove burnt-on food from pots and pans.

Zoflora is a Mrs Hinch-recommended product that is much beloved by Mumsnet users for its multi-purpose, gorgeous scents and highly-effective formula. You’ll be able to find this product pretty much anywhere, both in-store and online, usually at pretty reasonable prices, too!

Although it won’t tackle limescale, it will stop your washing machine from smelling as it kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including E-Coli, Salmonella and Influenza - leaving behind one of its beautiful fragrances with its patented odour elimination technology. From your floors to your worktops to your toilets, you can use Zoflora on pretty much anything! To clean your washing machine, Zoflora suggests using a diluted solution to wipe down the doors and rubber seal before chucking two capfuls of neat liquid into the drum on a hot cycle.