So many people swear by this commercial washing machine cleaner for a mold and grime-free drum – plus a natural alternative to try

If you use your washer daily, you've probably had to grapple with mold and grime build-up in your appliance, so what is the best cleaner for washing machines?

I trawled through countless Reddit threads to find the one cleaner people swear by, and it's clear to see one is a clear fan-favorite. By far, out of all the commercial cleaners available, people seem to love and swear by the Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets available at Walmart as a most popular cleaning tip.

This is the one washing machine cleaner people swear by

Much like any other part of your home, taking the time to clean and maintain your machine is crucial to maintaining a healthy laundry environment. Doing so will also help to prevent mold, too, while busting grime and ensuring your fresh laundry stays smelling fresh.

The Walmart Affresh tablets seem to be a persistent front runner.

'Throw an Affresh tab in your machine once a month, it’s like $12 for a years supply and it does make a difference,' says michaelrxs. Reddit user Prudent_Valuable603 agrees, adding, 'Affresh tablets. Make sure your hot water temperature is at least 120 if not higher to get all residue out,' with JustSteph09 replying, 'These tablets worked amazing! I did two cycles and it seems like it was good to go. Definitely going to do this monthly now. Thank you!' User katkatkat2 also echoes this sentiment, along with many others.

As I delved into the Reddit thread for advice on cleaning a washing machine, a few other brands kept cropping up. For example, Babayagaletti shares their love for Dettol and Dr. Beckmann, while searching_for_peace says, 'I scrub mine with Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser available at Amazon, just like it's a tub or sink...works like a charm!'

One natural alternative kept cropping up, too: vinegar is a real home hero when it comes to cleaning a washing machine and is probably already in your pantry.

Cleaning with vinegar isn't exactly new news, but I was surprised at the sheer volume of Reddit users who love to use it to clean a washing machine that smells.

For example, justimpolite says, 'Personally, I don't buy any special cleaner. I run it on hot and pour a cup of vinegar in. If your washer has a spout for detergent or bleach that gets released during the wash, throw some of that in too,' while LauraBellz adds, 'Wiping with vinegar, and occasionally running the machine empty on hot with some vinegar and detergent will keep it clean, and will likely help with buildup. We don’t have hard water in my area, so the biggest issue is always mold for us.

'I do a lot of laundry, and the almost-new front loader I got passed down to me was loaded with mold because my grandma always shut the door tight.'

They make a great point, as keeping your washer's door closed when it's not in use is a washing machine mistake as it traps humidity, making it the perfect environment for mold and mildew.

More recently, Runaway2332 shared their trials and tribulations of dealing with a moldy machine after moving into a studio apartment, and had great success using vinegar to remove mold from the rubber seal on a washing machine,

They say, 'It took hours of cleaning, with tons of paper towels (numerous rolls because that stuff is GROSS!!!) and Q-tips...lots of vinegar. Then I used four or five of those washing machine cleaner packets, ran it each time with super hot water and used more paper towels and vinegar in between.'

If you've never used one before, we recommend the ACTIVE Store Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler available at Amazon.

Just make sure you know how much vinegar to clean a washing machine when trying this method, as well as where to put the vinegar in a washing machine. We recommend using white vinegar for this, such as the Great Value Distilled White Vinegar available at Walmart.

Importantly, almost all Reddit users on the busy forum chain stressed the importance of leaving your washing machine door open between loads.

Runaway2332 continues, 'This is IMPORTANT: Once it is clean...never, ever close the door on it unless you're going to run it. Keep a clean towel to dry around that rubber area and then use it to keep the door open at least 6" to allow air inside,' with LauraBellz adding, 'Make sure you leave the door open most of the time – but especially right after you run it. The water-tight seal works against you if you're not actively running the washer.

'Mold can, and will, grow, and a bad smell will develop almost right away, and permeate your laundry,' leaving you wondering why your clothes smell sour after washing, and struggling to keep laundry smelling nice for longer, or even at all.

'Some new machines have a hinge that will hold the door open enough for air to ventilate, which is useful,' they add. 'But I'd still leave it wide open once in awhile.'

We'd love to hear your washer cleaning tips so please do share your recommendations and favorites in our comments section, below.

Cleaning essentials

FAQs

How do I get rid of black mold in my washing machine drum?

To get rid of black mold, you can use vinegar to kill mold, while cleaning at the same time. Pour two cups into the drum and run a hot cycle, which will also help to eliminate any musty odors in your washer, too.

Can I use a dishwasher tablet to clean my washing machine?

There are a number of things you can clean with a dishwasher tablet, and, luckily, your washing machine is one of them.

However, it is important to note that some manufacturers do advise against it, and instead recommend using a dedicated washing machine cleaner. If in doubt, you can also use vinegar.

You can also clean a washing machine with soda crystals, with experts saying it beats 'inefficient baking soda' when deep-cleaning.