Looking for the best washing machine cleaner for mold?
Congrats, you’re landing on the right page. In this article, our testers are going to share with you their six favorite picks with no-BS review. We also give you a guide, some reliable brands, and more to help you make a more fool-proof buying decision.
Here are the best washing machine cleaners for mold you can buy in 2024:
- Unscented: ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner
- Fast Penetrating: Finally Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner
- Safe For Septic Tanks: OxiClean H&PC-81849
- Best For Deep Cleaning: True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets
- Best For HE Washers: Eco-Gals 8B-3M34-JTWV
- Best For Front Loaders: Lemi Shine 80344002
| 6 Best Washing Machine Cleaners For Mold | ||
|---|---|---|
Unscented | ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner | |
Fast Penetrating | Finally Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner | |
Safe For Septic Tanks | OxiClean H&PC-81849 | |
Best For Deep Cleaning | True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets | |
Best For HE Washers | Eco-Gals 8B-3M34-JTWV | |
Best For Front Loaders | Lemi Shine 80344002 | |
Unscented: ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner
- Leave no unpleasant odors behind, but just a fresh smell
- Instant cleaning performance – powerful active self-wash formula
- Reliable – verified, lab-tested ingredients
- Not so good in eliminating stains on the door’s rubber gaskets
These tablets from ACTIVE work well on washing machines of all types and brands.
The way it works is: once exposed to water, the tablet breaks down into tiny cleansing powder and then dissolves into effervescent foam. This way, it can effectively lift up patches of dirt, grime, and water deposits without you having to brush or scrub the surface.
Compared to other forms of washer cleaners such as powder or liquid, tablets are easy to store, use, and pack.
But the best part of these ACTIVE tablets is they leave a very fresh smell behind - unlike some unscented products we tested that still can’t eliminate smelly odors or leave too strong, long-lasting perfume scent.
If you and your family are sensitive to strong smells, this is a great choice.
| ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner Specifications | |
|---|---|
Scent | Unscented |
Item Form | Tablet |
Highlight Features | Leave no unpleasant odors behind, but just a fresh smell powerful active self-wash formula verified, lab-tested ingredients |
For an unscented washing machine cleaner for mold, you can’t beat the ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner if you are sensitive to strong smell.
Fast Penetrating: Finally Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner
- Fast-penetrating - the active oxygen formula
- No damage to the machine parts - citric acid ingredients
- Not clean the water deposit behind the door seal well
The Finally Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the best choice for stubborn stains, dirt, and grime because it delivers 3x decontamination ability thanks to the active oxygen formula.
But reassured, it uses natural ingredients such as citric acid to not cause corrosion or any damage to your machine.
The way it works is quite similar to the previous option: using a foaming effect, so you don’t need to scrub the washer drum to clean it.
Note: These tablets will leave a mild lemon scent after use.
| Finally Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Specifications | |
|---|---|
Scent | Lemon |
Item Form | Tablet |
Highlight Features | the active oxygen formula citric acid ingredients |
We found the Finally Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner to be one of the best options for fast-penetrating.
Safe For Septic Tanks: OxiClean H&PC-81849
- Good at odor removal
- Easy to use – including four separate pre-measured pouches
- Septic-friendly – phosphate-free formula
- Not for stubborn grime buildup
If your washing machine has a septic tank, the OxiClean H&PC-81849 is your best bet because it contains no phosphates at all.
Unlike other powdered washing machine cleaners, this product comes in a separate pouch; each pouch is for one use, so no measuring needed. It’s easy to use and store away.
The product does an excellent job at removing musty smells or any residue that causes bad odors in your machine.
| OxiClean H&PC-81849 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Scent | ODOR BLASTERS |
Item Form | Powder |
Highlight Features | Good at odor removal including four separate pre-measured pouches phosphate-free formula |
The OxiClean H&PC-81849 is one of our testers’ favorites for septic tanks.
Best For Deep Cleaning: True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets
- Easy and effortless to deep cleanse the washer components - new powerful slow-dissolving cleansing formula
- Trustworthy - lab-tested ingredients
- Take longer time for cleaning
The True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner comprises 25 tablets for over 1 year’s supply.
As using new powerful slow-dissolving cleansing formula and lab-tested ingredients, it lasts for the entire washing cycle.
In other words, this is a perfect choice for those who want to give their machine components (including hose, filter, basket, drum, valve, and pump) a deep clean without having to dissemble it.
After each use, the machine not only looks sparkly but also smells fresh. We are very satisfied with its performance.
| True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets Specifications | |
|---|---|
Scent | Aloe Vera |
Item Form | Tablet |
Highlight Features | new powerful slow-dissolving cleansing formula lab-tested ingredients |
For deep cleaning the inner machine components and drainage system, the True Fresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets are a really great deal.
Best For HE Washers: Eco-Gals 8B-3M34-JTWV
- Specifically made for HE machines
- Effectively clean the inner components of the drum and drainage system - unique foaming action effects
- Residual suds
The Eco-Gals 8B-3M34-JTWV is made for virtually any HE machine.
The great thing about this product is you won’t have to need more than one tablet per use and the package includes 24 tablets for 1 year’s supply.
Using unique foaming action effects, it excels in removing grime, dirt, and odorous buildup from the inner components of the drum and drainage system.
| Eco-Gals 8B-3M34-JTWV Specifications | |
|---|---|
Scent | Fresh |
Item Form | Tablet |
Highlight Features | Specifically made for HE machines unique foaming action effects |
The Eco-Gals 8B-3M34-JTWV is everything you want in a powerful yet safe washing machine cleaner for HE washers.
Best For Front Loaders: Lemi Shine 80344002
- Ideal for front loaders – including pouches and wipes
- Eco-friendly - natural biodegradable ingredients
- High-quality - EPA Safer Choice Certified 2020 & made in the US
- It requires your effort for cleaning the machine
- Expensive
Last but not least, the Lemi Shine 80344002.
It comprises pouches and wipes to give super-deep clean to your front loaders, especially around the door seal.
This washing machine cleaner is EPA Safer Choice Certified 2020, which means it’s free from formaldehyde, quat, ammonia, and bleach.
The product is 100% safe for your health and the environment. That all thanks to its natural citric-acid-based ingredients to fight and remove gunk, hard water buildup, grime, and bacteria. As a great bonus, the Lemi Shine 80344002 is made in the US, which ensures the quality.
| Lemi Shine 80344002 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Scent | Lemon |
Item Form | Wipe |
Highlight Features | including pouches and wipes natural biodegradable ingredients EPA Safer Choice Certified 2020 & made in the US |
The Lemi Shine 80344002 remains a top performer in this field and our testers heartily recommend it for front loaders.
How To Choose The Best Washing Machine Cleaner For Mold?
Form
When it comes to washing machine cleaners for mold, there are four types:
- Wipes
- Sprays
- Tablets
- Liquid
To find the right form for you, please take a peek at this table:
Pros | Cons | Best for | |
Wipes | No need to set a wash cycle Versatility: able to be used for spills, household appliances, and washers | Take the most effort for cleaning | Daily to weekly use Stubborn buildup that needs scrubbing Cleaning the entire surface of the washing machine |
Sprays | Easy and quick to use No need of wiping, rinsing, or setting a wash cycle | Still require some effort for cleaning | Daily use on washing machine surfaces and washer drum |
Tablets | Simple and effortless to use No mess during use Easy and convenient to store Long-lasting effects | Hard to reach some parts of the washer, such as rubber door seals, buttons, etc. Require setting a wash cycle | Cleaning the washer’s drum |
Liquid | Easy to use Leave no powder or gunk residue after each use | Hard to reach some parts of the washer, such as rubber door seals, buttons, etc. Messy Require setting a wash cycle | Cleaning hard-to-reach nooks and crannies of the washer drum |
Scented or unscented?
This is a preference issue!
Some washing machine cleaners leave a strong odor after use while others don’t. So, to pick the right one, you should ask yourself:
Are you and your family sensitive to smells?
If the answer is yes, then opting for an unscented option or those made of natural essential oil ingredients.
Which Brands Make The Best Washing Machine Cleaner For Mold?
OxiClean
OxiClean is one of the most popular US brands specializing in household cleaners. Started in 1997, they are renowned for offering the best overall value for removing buildup, odors, and mold from washing machines.
Eco-Gals
Founded in 2018, Eco-Gals is dedicated to manufacturing washing machine cleaners for mold and buildup. And, Swirlz is the product line that helps their brand name widely recognized.
Lemi Shine
What makes Lemi Shine’s washing machine cleaners stand out from the competition is the perfect balance of powerful cleaning performance and safety at a much more affordable price point.
All of their products are made of citric acid, which means they contain no ammonia or bleach.
FAQs
Do all load washers have mold problems?
No, they don’t. But 17% of front loaders have mold problems (according to the reports of machine owners), compared to 1% top-load washers and 3% of HE washers.
Can washing machine cleaners get black mold off washing machine rubber?
Yes, they can.
Washing machine cleaners in the form of wipes and powder do a great job at getting black mold off the rubber components.
Can washing machine cleaners get the mold smell out of my washing machine?
Yes, you can.
Add the washing machine cleaner in the recommended dosage to the machine, run an empty cycle under the Normal mode at hot water setting. Then, wipe the residual foam or powder and leave the machine door open to air dry.
Can I use normal vinegar to clean the washing machine?
Yes, you can.
If you want to learn more about how to use normal vinegar to clean your washing machine, please watch this tutorial video:
How often should I use washing machine cleaners?
Depending on how often you use the washing machine, it can be once/week or once/two weeks. But make sure to clean the machine at least once a month.
Conclusion
Our goal before starting to write this post is to not only give you the top-rated options available but also helps you determine the metrics that matter most for your needs and your washer. After that very first step, the rest of the process is a lot easier.
So, hopefully, our comprehensive guide helped you identify your priorities and your needs. Thanks for reading!
Eugene WilliamsHi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!
