The Best Washing Machine Cleaners For Limescale And Smells
Cleaners that clear the limescale and musty smells building up inside your washing machine.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best washing machine cleaner is the Calgon 3-in-1 Powerball Tabs, which go in with every wash and stop limescale settling on the drum, heater and pipes in hard water areas. For a machine that already smells or hasn't been cleaned in a long time, go for the Dr Beckmann Service-It, a powder deep clean run through an empty hot cycle.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Calgon 3-in-1 Powerball Tabs
- Check price of Dr Beckmann Service-It
- Check price of Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1
- Check price of Pro-Kleen Cleaner & Descaler
- Check price of HG Service Engineer Cleaner
Best Professional
HG Service Engineer CleanerHouseholds wanting one cleaner for the washing machine and dishwasher
- Check price of Ecozone Washing Machine Cleaner
Best Value Runner-Up
Ecozone Washing Machine CleanerBudget descaling of a machine that isn't badly smelly
Hard water and a bad smell are different problems, and they call for different products. Scale builds up on the heater wash after wash, so an every-wash softener suits hard water areas. A musty machine needs a strong treatment on an empty hot cycle plus a scrub of the door seal, drawer and pump filter, and a gentle descaler won't shift a smell that's set in.
We've bought both kinds for our own homes and the rentals and Airbnbs we manage. The six here include drawer liquids, drum powders and tabs, plus a 5 litre bulk bottle.
How We Tested These Washing Machine Cleaners
Washing machine cleaners have been a regular buy for us for years. Keeping a machine clean is a cheap way to avoid smells, poor results and an early replacement, and replacing a washing machine is a job we'd rather put off.
Our preference is a liquid or tablet that goes into the detergent drawer, because it's quick and there's nothing to spill. The photo shows the Dettol cleaner going into the drawer of one of our machines, which took a few seconds before setting the empty hot wash running.
We've also used drum treatments, powders and tablets, so each cleaner was judged on the same points:
- Ease of use: How quickly it goes in and whether anything spills
- Effectiveness: How well it deals with dirt, limescale and smells
- Scent: What the machine smells like afterwards
- Value: The cost per treatment and how frequently it needs using
Bacteria and limescale claims come from the brands and are attributed in each write-up, as we can't measure them at home.
The Best Washing Machine Cleaners We Recommend
The list mixes cleaners that go in every wash with deep cleans for an empty drum. Check which type you're buying, as most deep cleans need the machine empty.
Best Overall
Calgon 3-in-1 Powerball Tabs
Best for: Hard water areas where limescale builds up wash after wash
Check Price On AmazonCalgon works differently from the rest of this list. Instead of a periodic deep clean, a Powerball Tab goes into the drum with your usual detergent every wash, softening the water and stopping limescale and residue settling on the heater, drum and pipes in the first place.
That's what makes it our top pick for hard water areas, where scale is the main thing wearing a machine out. Calgon says the tabs also fight odours and stop laundry feeling rough, which is a common complaint when hard water leaves minerals in towels. They suit every fabric, and if you prefer, Calgon also sells the same treatment as a powder or gel. The catch is cost, since using it every wash adds up faster than a deep clean every couple of months.
What we like
- Goes in with every wash to stop scale forming
- Softens hard water so towels feel less rough
- Anti-dirt action against residue build-up
- Helps fight musty smells according to Calgon
- Suitable for all fabrics
- Also sold as a powder or gel
What to know
- Using it every wash costs more over a year than a periodic deep clean
Our verdict
Hard water is where Calgon Powerball Tabs pay off, because they keep scale off the machine from day one rather than clearing it later. Pair them with an occasional deep clean for the best results. If your machine already smells or you're in a soft water area, Dr Beckmann Service-It or Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 is the better buy.
Best Deep Clean
Dr Beckmann Service-It
Best for: A thorough deep clean of a smelly or neglected machine
Check Price On AmazonService-It is a powder deep clean that you tip straight into the empty drum before running a hot cycle. Dr Beckmann adds active carbon to the formula to draw dirt out of the machine.
Dr Beckmann says one treatment removes 99.9% of micro-organisms and bacteria, and it recommends running it every three months or 40 wash cycles. The packaging let it down in our testing, as a lot of the powder ended up on the floor as we poured, so tip it slowly or over the open door.
What we like
- Dirt visibly spinning out in the drum during our test
- Active carbon to draw dirt out of the machine
- Removes 99.9% of micro-organisms and bacteria according to Dr Beckmann
- Pours straight into the drum
- Only needed every three months or 40 washes
What to know
- Plenty of powder ended up on the floor because of the packaging
Our verdict
Dr Beckmann Service-It is the better buy for a machine that smells or hasn't been cleaned in a long time, as long as you pour it carefully. For a quicker routine clean with no spills, Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 goes into the drawer in seconds, and Calgon tabs are better for day-to-day protection in hard water areas.
Best Value
Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1
Best for: Quick routine cleans in rentals and busy family machines
Check Price On AmazonDettol's cleaner is the one in our photo, and it's the type we prefer for our own machines. The liquid pours into the detergent drawer in a few seconds, then you run an empty 60 degree wash with no detergent, and that's the job done.
It works as a descaler as well as a cleaner, and Dettol says it kills 99.9% of bacteria, removes limescale and dirt and leaves the machine smelling fresh. The brand recommends using it every two months, so it's a routine rather than a one-off fix. That suits a rental or a busy family machine where a quick, no-mess treatment is more likely to get done than a fiddly one.
What we like
- Pours into the detergent drawer in seconds
- Cleans and descales in one empty 60 degree wash
- Kills 99.9% of bacteria according to Dettol
- Leaves the machine smelling fresh
- No powder to spill
What to know
- Needs repeating every two months for the best results
Our verdict
Choose Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 for a quick, mess-free clean you'll actually remember to do every couple of months. If the machine has been neglected for a long time, start with a Dr Beckmann Service-It deep clean, and for several machines the Pro-Kleen bulk bottle works out cheaper per treatment.
Best Bulk Buy
Pro-Kleen Cleaner & Descaler
Best for: Landlords and households looking after several machines
Check Price On AmazonPro-Kleen is the one to stock up on. The 5 litre bottle gives up to 50 cleans at 100 ml a time, so anyone looking after more than one machine gets far more out of it than a run of single bottles.
It's a cleaner and descaler in one. You pour it into the detergent drawer and run a standard hot cycle with no laundry, and Pro-Kleen says it removes limescale, soap scum and musty smells, leaving a fresh scent behind. The brand recommends repeating it every two to three months. The upfront price is higher, but the cost per clean is low once you've bought the bottle.
What we like
- Up to 50 treatments from one 5 litre bottle
- Only 100 ml needed per clean
- Removes limescale, soap scum and musty odours according to Pro-Kleen
- Goes in the detergent drawer
- Fresh scent after use
What to know
- Higher upfront cost because of the 5 litre size
- A big bottle to store for a single machine
Our verdict
Pro-Kleen is the cleaner to buy if you look after several washing machines or want years of treatments from one purchase. For a single machine, Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 or the cheap Ecozone tablets mean less to store, and Calgon tabs are the better option for everyday protection against hard water.
Best Professional
HG Service Engineer Cleaner
Best for: Households wanting one cleaner for the washing machine and dishwasher
Check Price On AmazonHG's Service Engineer is a powder that works much like Dr Beckmann Service-It. It pours straight into the empty drum, and you run a 60 degree wash with no laundry so the powder can work on the drum, heater and pipes.
The difference is that HG makes it for dishwashers too, so one product covers both machines in the kitchen. HG says it's used by professional repairmen, and it's a sensible pick if you'd rather buy one cleaner than two. As with any powder in the drum, pour it carefully, and remember the machine is out of action for a full empty cycle.
What we like
- Works in both washing machines and dishwashers
- Powder pours straight into the drum
- Runs on a 60 degree empty wash
- Used by professional repairmen according to HG
What to know
- Needs a full empty cycle, so the machine is out of use while it runs
- Powder is easier to spill than a liquid
Our verdict
HG Service Engineer earns its place in a kitchen with both a washing machine and a dishwasher, as one powder cleans both. Like any drum treatment, it needs pouring carefully. Anyone who'd rather avoid powder altogether will find Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 quicker and tidier.
Best Value Runner-Up
Ecozone Washing Machine Cleaner
Best for: Budget descaling of a machine that isn't badly smelly
Check Price On AmazonEcozone sells its cleaner as tablets, with one pack covering up to 6 uses. A tablet goes straight into the drum and gets to work on limescale and detergent deposits, and the same tablets work in a dishwasher. Ecozone also states the product is vegan certified, which matters to some buyers.
In our testing, the machine came out cleaner, but the tablet didn't fully get rid of a bad smell. That makes Ecozone a good choice for routine descaling of a machine that's in decent shape, rather than a fix for one that's already musty. It's one of the cheapest cleaners here and very simple to use.
What we like
- Up to 6 uses per pack
- Simple tablet that goes in the drum
- Removes limescale and detergent deposits
- Works in dishwashers too
- Vegan certified according to Ecozone
What to know
- Left our machine cleaner but didn't fully clear a bad smell
Our verdict
Ecozone suits anyone who wants a cheap, simple descaler for a machine that's already in decent condition, and the same tablets do the dishwasher too. If your washer already smells, start with a deep clean such as Dr Beckmann Service-It.
What To Know Before Buying A Washing Machine Cleaner
Most washing machine cleaners do a similar job, but the right one depends on your water, how your machine smells and how much effort you want to put in.
Drawer Or Drum
Liquids like Dettol and Pro-Kleen go into the detergent drawer, which is quick and tidy and cleans the drawer channels on the way through. Powders and tablets like Dr Beckmann, HG and Ecozone go straight into the drum. Drum treatments are handy for a heavy clean, but powders are easy to spill, as we found with the Dr Beckmann pack.
Hard Water And Limescale
In a hard water area, limescale coats the heating element and makes it work harder, and that's what shortens a machine's life. A water softener such as Calgon used every wash stops scale forming, while a descaling cleaner every couple of months removes what's already there. If you've got scale on taps and shower heads, you've got it in the washing machine too, and our guide to descaling a shower head shows the same problem in the bathroom.
Getting Rid Of Musty Smells
A smelly machine is a sign of detergent and softener sludge, plus mould in the door seal and drawer. A deep clean with a strong drum treatment shifts most of it, but you'll also need to wipe out the rubber seal, pull out and wash the detergent drawer and clean the pump filter. Leaving the door and drawer open between washes lets the inside dry out, and a dehumidifier for a damp utility room helps if the whole room stays humid. For black mould on the seal itself, the advice in our guide on how to get rid of mould applies here too.
How Frequently To Clean Your Machine
The brands in this list recommend anything from every wash (Calgon) to every two months (Dettol) or every three months (Dr Beckmann). A machine that runs every day in a rental or a busy family home needs cleaning more frequently than one used a couple of times a week. Low temperature washes save energy but let residue build up faster, so an occasional hot clean matters more if you mostly wash at 30 degrees.
Cost Per Treatment
Single bottles and packs are cheap to buy, but a bulk bottle like Pro-Kleen works out cheaper per clean if you're looking after several machines. Calgon adds up over a year because it goes in every wash, but it does a different job from the deep cleaners. A drain cleaner won't help with washing machine smells, but if the water backs up into the sink, our pick of the best drain unblockers covers the waste pipe side.
Washing Machine Cleaning Questions
How often should you clean a washing machine?
Clean your washing machine with a dedicated cleaner every two to three months, or more frequently if it runs every day or you mostly wash at low temperatures. Dettol recommends every two months and Dr Beckmann every three months or 40 washes. In between, wipe the door seal, leave the door open after washing and clean the detergent drawer.
Why does my washing machine smell?
A smelly washing machine is caused by a build-up of detergent, fabric softener and lint where mould and bacteria grow, mainly in the door seal, drawer and pump filter. Low temperature washes and closing the door straight after a cycle make it worse. Run an empty hot wash with a machine cleaner, wipe the seal and clean the filter to clear it.
Can you clean a washing machine with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda?
Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can freshen a washing machine a little, but they're no match for a proper machine cleaner on heavy residue and scale. Some manufacturers also warn that regular vinegar use can harm rubber seals and hoses over time. A dedicated washing machine cleaner is designed for the job and won't risk the seals.
Do you put washing machine cleaner in the drawer or the drum?
It depends on the cleaner. Liquids like Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 and Pro-Kleen go in the detergent drawer, while powders and tablets like Dr Beckmann Service-It and Ecozone go in the drum. Calgon tabs go in the drum with your detergent every wash. Always run deep cleaners on an empty hot cycle with no laundry inside.
Should I use Calgon in every wash or stick to a deep clean?
In a hard water area, use both. Calgon 3-in-1 Powerball Tabs go in with every wash to stop limescale forming, while a deep clean such as Dr Beckmann Service-It or Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 clears what's already there. Using Calgon every wash costs more over a year than a periodic deep clean, so it earns its place mainly where scale is a problem.
How do I stop Dr Beckmann Service-It spilling when I pour it?
Tip the powder in slowly or pour it over the open door. A lot of the powder ended up on the floor as we poured it, because the packaging let it down in our testing. It's still the better buy for a machine that smells or hasn't been cleaned in a long time, and we could see grime spinning around the drum once the cycle was running.
Will Ecozone Washing Machine Cleaner fix a machine that already smells?
Not fully. In our testing the machine came out cleaner, but the Ecozone tablet didn't fully get rid of a bad smell. It suits routine descaling of a machine that's already in decent shape. If your washer already smells, start with a deep clean such as Dr Beckmann Service-It, then switch to the tablets for upkeep.
Is the Pro-Kleen bottle worth buying for one washing machine?
Not really. Pro-Kleen Cleaner and Descaler comes in a 5 litre bottle at 100 ml per treatment, which is up to 50 cleans, so it suits landlords and anyone looking after several machines. For a single machine, Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 or the cheap Ecozone tablets mean less to store and a lower upfront cost.
Our Pick Of The Washing Machine Cleaners
Calgon 3-in-1 Powerball Tabs are our top pick for a hard water area, as they protect the machine every time it runs instead of waiting for scale to build up. For a deep clean every few months, Dr Beckmann Service-It is the most thorough and Dettol Anti Bacterial 5-in-1 is the quickest.
If you look after several machines, the Pro-Kleen 5 litre bottle covers up to 50 treatments.
Richard has spent years renovating properties and turning them into rentals and Airbnbs. Like a lot of people he started out as a beginner, and these days there isn't much DIY he won't take on.