Guides · Laundry
Best Washing Machine Cleaner UK: Do You Even Need One?
"Best washing machine cleaner" is searched around 3,600 times a month in the UK. Before you buy one, here's the honest answer: you might not need it. Consumer group Which?, which tests washing machine cleaners, says a hot service wash should do the job, and most manufacturers recommend running one regularly anyway. A cleaner earns its place when the machine has been neglected, already smells, or when you'd like the monthly wash to do a bit more.
Which washing machine cleaner should you use?
| Option | What it does | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot empty wash (no product) | Heat loosens residue and kills much of the build-up | Regular monthly maintenance; free | Won't clear a filter full of hair or a slimy drawer |
| Soda crystals | Cuts grease and residue in a hot wash | Cheap, widely available | Check your manual; rinse afterwards |
| Branded cleaners (e.g. Dettol, Dr Beckmann, Vamoosh) | Target mould, limescale and detergent residue | A machine that already smells, or hard-water areas | Results vary by brand; Which? publishes its tests for members |
| Cleaning tablets | Pre-measured, dropped in the empty drum | A no-thinking monthly routine | Still need the seal and filter cleaned by hand |
| White vinegar | Mild acid, loosens residue | Occasional use | Some manufacturers advise against it for rubber seals |
What does no washing machine cleaner do for you?
Every option above works better, and lasts longer, if you do three things by hand first:
- Wipe the rubber door seal, folds included.
- Take out and clean the detergent drawer.
- Empty the drain pump filter. In homes with a dog or cat, this is where the hair ends up.
Then run the hot wash, with or without a cleaner, and leave the door open to dry. The full step-by-step is in why does my washing machine smell?
What's the best washing machine cleaner for pet hair?
No cleaner dissolves hair. What works is stopping it getting into the machine (shake bedding outside, or 10 minutes in the tumble dryer on no heat first), washing pet items separately, and clearing the seal and filter afterwards. More in how to get pet hair out of a washing machine.
Which Meoggy product helps?
Our Machine Tablets are effervescent tablets for the empty drum, made for homes where the dog's bed goes through the wash: one in the drum, hot or drum-clean programme, wipe the seal. They're one option among the ones above, not a magic fix, and they come with 30 days to try them. If you'd rather keep it free, the hot wash and the three steps above are all you need.
Sources: Which?, washing machine cleaners compared · Beko, how to stop a washing machine from smelling. Always follow your machine's manual and the product's instructions.
Questions people ask
How often should I use a washing machine cleaner?
Most brands suggest once a month. If you run a hot maintenance wash monthly anyway, you may only need a cleaner now and then, or when a smell starts.
Do washing machine cleaners remove limescale?
Many do, and Which? tests cleaners on limescale as well as odour. In soft-water areas limescale matters less.
Is it safe to use bleach in a washing machine?
Some manufacturers allow it for a maintenance wash; others don't. Check your manual, never mix bleach with other cleaners, and run a rinse afterwards.
What's the best washing machine cleaner for pet hair?
No cleaner dissolves hair. Shake bedding out first, wash pet items separately, wipe the seal and empty the filter, then use a hot wash, with or without a cleaner, to deal with the smell.
Can I use a cleaner with clothes in the machine?
No. Drum cleaners and tablets go in an empty machine, on a hot or drum-clean programme, unless the pack says otherwise.
