Choose a cleaner made for washing-machine tubs, then follow both the washer manual and the cleaner’s label. Affresh tablets and Tide Washing Machine Cleaner are options to consider, but the sources available do not establish an independently tested overall winner. The right choice depends on the product’s directions, its stated compatibility with your washer, and the cycle your model requires.
Which washing machine tub cleaner should you choose?
For a straightforward option, consider Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets: Affresh says they are intended for top- and front-load washers, including HE machines, and recommends monthly or as-needed use. The brand lists sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate among the ingredients and states that the product is EPA Safer Choice certified and septic safe. These are manufacturer-published claims, not independent comparative test results. Affresh product information.
Tide Washing Machine Cleaner is another option to investigate. Samsung names it as a recommended third-party washer cleaner in its odor guidance: Samsung washer odor guidance. A third-party transcription of Tide’s directions says to put one pouch in the tub and run a normal cycle, rather than a specialty tub-clean cycle. Check the directions on the package you purchase, because the transcription is not the product label: transcribed Tide product directions.
LG’s top-load guidance specifically names Home Star Perfect Tub Cleaner, developed with LG and H&H. Treat it as an example for that guidance, not a universal recommendation for every market or washer: LG tub-cleaning guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- NO. 1 WASHING MACHINE CLEANER TABLET*
- TIME-RELEASE DEEP CLEAN. Affresh tablets are scientifically designed to deliver extended cleaning action throughout the wash cycle, helping power away bacteria, grime and soap scum deep inside the washing machine’s pump, drum and filter to help optimize performance.
- STINKY PET ODOR? Affresh washing machine cleaner helps remove residues that can trap odors from pets, sweat and mildew that can transfer onto clothes and sheets.
- ONE TABLET, ONCE A MONTH. Avoid the twice-monthly cleaning cycles of other appliance cleaners and cut your machine cleaning maintenance time in half.
- TRUSTED BY APPLIANCE EXPERTS. Backed by over 100 years of appliance innovation, affresh is the washing machine cleaner brand recommended by Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana.**
There is no supported head-to-head performance ranking among these products. Compare their format and placement instructions, cycle directions, stated washer compatibility, recommended frequency, ingredient disclosure or certifications, and cost per cleaning rather than assuming one cleans better.
Where to put the cleaner and which cycle to run
First check the washer manual and the cleaner’s package. LG’s guidance recommends a dedicated washing-machine tub cleaner and says to follow the package directions. For the LG guidance, placement depends on the format:
Rank #2
- Works With All Washers - Perfect For High Efficiency Or Standard Toploader, Front Loading Compatible With GE, LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Maytag, Electrolux, Etc. (Not For Dryer)
- Eco-Friendly Tabs - Natural Effervescent Foaming Tablets Are Septic Safe And Made With Less Packaging . Compare To Liquid Descaler And Wipes That Create Unnecessary Waste
- Instant Cleaning Power - Active Self Wash Tablet Cleans So You Don't Have To Brush And Wipe Your Washing Machines. When Exposed To Water, They Break Down Into Deep Scrubbing Powder Cleaners That Breaks Down Grime And Hard Water Build Up
- Bulk 24 Kit - Each Package Includes 1 Year Supply (24 Pods) Vs. Competitor 5 or 6 Tablet Packs Or Liquid Treatments Which Run Out Quickly
- Odor Eliminator- No More Smelly Washer. Descaler Will Freshen Your Laundry Machine Basket, Rubber Gasket, And Internal Parts So Your Clothes Will Come Out Clean And Smelling Fresh.
- Powder: Put it in the main wash compartment.
- Liquid: Put it in the liquid cup of the main wash compartment.
- Tablet: Put it directly in the drum.
Then select the washer’s Tub Clean cycle, if available. These placement instructions come from LG’s guidance and should not override a different product label or your washer manual.
Tide’s transcribed directions call for one pouch in the tub and a normal cycle, not a specialty cleanout cycle. Verify the package directions for the specific product you buy; do not assume all pouches or cleaners use the same cycle.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- Includes: One 4 count box of OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters to supercharge your washing machine cleaning
- Washing Machine Cleaner: Helps remove odor causing residues in any washer
- Easy to Use: Pour one pouch into the drum of your washer without any other items and run using hot water, wiping away any leftover residue with a towel after the cycle is complete
- For All Washing Machines: For use with both standard and HE washing machines, not intended to be used with clothing or other laundry
- Septic-Safe: Won't harm septic tanks so you can keep your peace of mind
How often should you clean the washer tub?
LG recommends monthly tub cleaning. Samsung advises running Self Clean, Self Clean +, or Pure Cycle about once a month or every 30–40 loads. Follow the guidance for your washer model if it differs: Samsung washer odor and cleaning guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if the washer still smells musty
Start with an empty washer
Remove clothing and visible objects before starting a tub-clean cycle. Afterward, leave the door and detergent dispenser open so moisture can dry, as LG advises.
Rank #4
- YOU WILL RECEIVE: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner powder packets, activating 20% faster than tablets, for 12 months of cleaning. Made by Nehemiah Manufacturing. Certain trademarks used under license from The P&G Company or its affiliates
- ODOR ELIMINATOR: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner lifts away & eliminates odor causing residues and deposits with its specially designed surface active ingredients and the cleaning power of Oxi plus TAED
- POWDER WORKS MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN TABLETS: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner is a powder that creates a cleaning action that gets to work faster than tablets. Deep cleaning and septic safe formula
- OXI + TAED FORMULA: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner has the cleaning power of Oxi + TAED, to boost the cleaning action on your washing machine by over 20% .TAED creates a cleaning superboost that works even in hard water which other cleaners can’t do
- AN EVEN BETTER, MILDER, FRESH CLEAN SCENT: The same supercharged cleaning power in a new scent to leave your washer clean and fresh
Repeat the cycle for persistent odor
If a musty smell remains, LG recommends running Tub Clean weekly for three weeks. If the odor continues after that, request repair support rather than relying on repeated cleaner use alone.
Check other odor sources
A tub-cleaning product may not address residue or buildup elsewhere in the washer. LG’s odor guidance also points readers to cleaning the filter and gasket as part of washer maintenance. Consult your model’s instructions for the correct way to access and clean those parts.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- YOU WILL RECEIVE: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner powder packets, activating 20% faster than tablets, for 5 months of cleaning. Made by Nehemiah Manufacturing. Certain trademarks used under license from The P&G Company or its affiliates
- ODOR ELIMINATOR: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner lifts away & eliminates odor causing residues and deposits with its specially designed surface active ingredients and the cleaning power of Oxi plus TAED
- POWDER WORKS MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN TABLETS: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner is a powder that creates a cleaning action that gets to work faster than tablets. Deep cleaning and septic safe formula
- OXI + TAED FORMULA: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner has the cleaning power of Oxi + TAED, to boost the cleaning action on your washing machine by over 20% .TAED creates a cleaning superboost that works even in hard water which other cleaners can’t do
- AN EVEN BETTER, MILDER, FRESH CLEAN SCENT: The same supercharged cleaning power in a new scent to leave your washer clean and fresh
Safety and buying checklist
- Choose a product labeled for washing-machine cleaning, and confirm compatibility with your washer in its manual and on the product package.
- Use the amount stated on the package and the cycle it specifies.
- Do not use undiluted bleach as an improvised tub cleaner. LG cautions against it in its top-load guidance: LG top-load tub-cleaning guidance.
- Do not substitute ordinary detergent in a tub-clean cycle unless the washer or cleaner instructions call for it. LG warns that regular detergent can create excess suds and contribute to leaks: LG washer leak guidance.
- Before comparing prices, check the package size and recommended dose so you can compare cost per cleaning rather than price per package.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
