Best Washing Machine Cleaner For Odor, Mold, and Grease (Updated in 2023 for LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool Front and Top Loaders)

Let me guess:

You’re wondering why your freshly-washed clothes have all that gross stuff like pieces of fiber, paper, or even mold on them.

There’s a solution!

At this point, you’ve probably guessed that you need to clean your washing machine (that’s why you’re here, right?)

Today in this post, you’ll learn how to pick the best washing machine cleaner specifically for your washing machine, whether you have a front-loading LG or Samsung, or Bosch, or any brand or type of washing machine.

Let’s get straight to the reviews!

Best Washing Machine Cleaner and Mold Remover: A Quick Peek

If you don’t want to get into the details and read the reviews of each and every washing machine cleaner, I’ve compiled a list of the best ones for each brand and type of washing machine.

Here’s the list from the overall best to some specific ones:

Now let’s review each of these in detail, shall we?

1. Affresh Non Toxic Washing Machine Cleaner in Tablets — Our Top Choice Mold Remover (Safe For Septic Tanks)

It wasn’t that hard to choose the overall winner. The best washing machine cleaner on our list is Affresh in tablets. The polls and our tests showed that Affresh performs the best and makes your washing machine like a new one.

It’s safe to use for both front-loading and top-loading washing machines.

Whether your washing machine brand of choice is LG, Samsung, Bosch, or basically any other brand, you’re not going to regret choosing Affresh washing machine cleaner.

The Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is created to dissolve and remove the residue that causes the stinky smell.

Fragrance-free

Affresh is also the best unscented washing machine cleaner in our list. If you’re sensitive to strong fragrances, you definitely know how most cleaning chemicals can cause migraines. Affresh doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals and would not bother your eyes or skin. We would highly recommend you to choose Affresh.

Nevertheless, If you’re super sensitive, you may catch the slight scent of boric acid. If it bothers you and you want to get rid of it, just do an additional rinse cycle after the wash cycle and it should be gone.

Slow-dissolving

One of the most important features of the Affresh washing machine cleaner is that it’s slow-dissolving. It means, that the tablet lasts throughout the wash cycle and breaks the residue up better than bleach can!

It is also safe to use with top load and front load washing machines.

Safe for Septic Tanks

Affresh is an EPA-approved washing machine cleaner that consists of certified ingredients and is completely safe for septic tanks.

Affresh Video Review

Moving on.

2. Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner and Mold Remover Review

This liquid-based washing machine cleaner is a perfect choice if you want to remove the hard water buildup, and dirt, and moldy sludge in the rubber gasket.

Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner is completely safe for washing machines that drain into septic tanks.

It’s also a good choice if you’re sensitive to scents. Unlike some other washing machine cleaners, Clorox doesn’t contain perfumed fragrances.

Deodorizes Your Washing Machine

Clorox is made specifically for getting rid of smells in a safe way. It’s chemical formula effectively kills the bacteria and removes the buildup for good.

Just pour the cleaner into the washing machine a start a cycle. Make sure it’s empty before you start!

Clorox will take it from there. You don’t have to worry about anything.

Suitable for any washing machine type

Whether you’re looking for the best washing machine cleaner for top loader or front loader, Clorox is a great match. It’s the second-best cleaner in terms of effectiveness against residue, but it is the best against odors.

Sounds too good?

Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner Video Review

3. Kaitse Washing Machine Cleaner Effervescent Tablets

These tablets not only effectively remove the residue and blockages in your washing machine for good, but also help you to get rid of the stinky odor in the washing machine tub.

Easy operation, various applications, and the latest triple decontamination formula allowed Kaitse to take the bronze in our rating.

Strong dirt removal performance

A highly efficient active oxygen formula makes wonders to your washing machine. Due to biological enzyme ingredients, it’s able to remove harmful and stagnant dirt and remove all odor residues.

Cleans even the deepest parts

Mold, dirt, old buildup and funky smell can’t stand against this fantastic washing machine cleaner. A year supply box of Kaitse tablets cleans everything from the gasket seal on front load washers to the drum of your washing machine. After the first run you’re going to be surprised how dirty your washing machine was.

Now, let’s take a look at the next one.

4. Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaner: Bye, bye Grease and Grime

Now, you may be asking how did a dishwasher cleaner get on a washing machine cleaners list.

Don’t get confused, it’s not a mistake.

Finish cleaner is meant to effectively remove grease, fat, and limescale build-up. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need for a washing machine if you want to get rid of the disgusting residues.

One tablet each month guarantees that you won’t have problems with washing machine cleaning.

Removes Grease and Grime

Grease and fat are good in food, not in a washing machine. Being made specifically to deal with grease and grime that builds up over time, Finish would serve great as an additional cleaning solution.

We recommend using it in pair with Affresh. Your washing machine will be grateful to you.

No Extra Wash Cycle

The coolest thing about Finish cleaner is that you save electricity and water by using it during a regular wash cycle. It won’t harm cloths or the parts.

Moving on.

5. Tide Non Toxic Washing Machine Cleaner

Tide is a trusted brand, well known for great cleaning products. That’s why we couldn’t leave Tide washing machine cleaner out of our list.

It comes in a 5 count box. You’re supposed to use a pouch per month to keep your washing machine tidy for almost half a year. Considering the price, that’s a steal!

Surface Active Ingredients

The Tide washing machine cleaner contains patented surface active ingredients. They effectively battle the mold and the odor causing residues in your washing machine, including but not limited to the laundry soils, detergent residues, and water hardness minerals.

Tide is a perfect washing machine cleaner for hard water, pet hair, stinky molds and more.

Ultimate solution for both top load and front load washing machines

One great thing about Tide is that it can be used for both top loader and front loader washing machines, regardles of the brand.

And there’s another one!

6. Oxi Clean Washing Machine Cleaner with Odor Blasters

The last, but absolutely not the least is the OxiClean washing machine cleaner. It’s the best washing machine cleaner for high efficiency (HE) washers on our list.

The Oxi Clean comes in a 4 count box. Use one pouch of powder every month and you should be good. Your washing machine should be perfectly clean with no mold or gunk left.

Most HE washing machines recommend using liquid or powder detergents and OxiClean perfectly satisfies the recommendations.

Removes the nasty smells

OxiClean is designed to remove odor-causing residues in your washing machine. So if you want to get rid of that rotten eggs smell, it’s the perfect solution for you.

Oxiclean Washing Machine Cleaner Video Review

Now, let’s get into our other “nominations” for best washing machine cleaners and find out what’s best specifically for your needs.

Best Washing Machine Cleaner For Pet Hair

This one is a common question that nobody seems to know the answer to. And we understand why.

Because all of the washing machine cleaners work pretty much the same. They ALL effectively remove the pet and human hair.

Now, it should be clear that no washing machine cleaner specifically dissolves the hair. If it’s clearly visible and left in a gasket, you should remove it using the wipes.

But if it’s stuck or you don’t want to get anywhere near the residues, the products like OxiClean should help. They foam a lot during the cleaning process leaving your gasket, drum or tub completely spotless.

But hey, you’ve come here for a recommendation, right? So here’s what we recommend:

From our experience and multiple reviews from verified buyers that we compared, OxiClean foams the most, thus being the most effective against human, cat or dog hair.

Best Washing Machine Cleaner for Front Loader

Without further ado, here’s our recommendation for the best washing machine cleaner for front load washers:

One of the most common problems with front load washing machines (apart from mold, buildup, and residues) is water stains on their stainless steel interior. And many owners are afraid about whether it’s safe to use this or that washing machine cleaner.

With Affresh you may be sure it won’t affect your washing machine. Just follow the instructions on the box and it’ll do the job perfectly.

Best Washing Machine Cleaner for Top Loader

For top load washing machines (especially the HE ones) we recommend this cleaner:

All you need to do is put a tablet in the washer drum, run a clean cycle with these tablets (once a month), and leave the door open after the cleaning for the scent to disappear.

Best Non Toxic Antibacterial Washing Machine Cleaner

From all the washing machine cleaners we reviewed, we haven’t found the one that would specifically state on the box that it’s an antibacterial washing machine cleaner.

For this reason, we can’t give any specific recommendations.