Top 6 Best Washing Machine Cleaner For Hard Water of 2023

Doing your laundry is a must. This is to make sure that you will not get a huge pile of clothes all over your house. This is simple yet not the most favorite household chore.

The best part is that the washing machine is already around to help you get the job done. So you can finally convince yourself that you will do your laundry.

However, after that quick spin of your washer, you see that your favorite shirt looks even dirtier now. It has some gross stuff that seems to get into it. Don’t freak out yet.

It just means that your washing machine needs cleaning. It’s time for you to get the best washing machine cleaner for hard water you can find to avoid this from happening again.

What is Washing Machine Cleaner?

A washing machine cleaner is a solution that can effectively clean your washing machine. As time goes by, your washing machine can develop mild dews, dirt, and grime from your smiled clothes.

It is best to give it a thorough clean every once in a while to avoid your washing machine giving you on you.

How do you clean your washing machine? It’s not that complicated to clean it up. All you have to do is to start with an empty washing machine. You can do it after you wash your clothes so that you can store it once it is already clean.

Here’s what to do:

• Put in some hot water.
• Choose the Extra Rinse option.
• Add the effective washing machine cleaner you can find.
• Run the cycle of your clean washer.
• Rinse and do an extra rinse cycle to make sure that no residue will be left.

What To Look for Washing Machine Cleaners

When choosing the best washer machine cleaner, you have to look for its description of what they can do for your washing machine.

It will avoid residue buildup and protect the drum and plastic part too. It must also kill germs and bacteria to avoid them getting into your laundry machine cleaner.

A washing machine cleaner is necessary to make sure that you can maintain your washing machine efficiently. Since it’s getting pricier as it is now, it’s best to make sure that it will last a long time.

By simply cleaning it regularly, you can make sure that your washing machine will give up on you just when you needed it the most.

1. Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner, 6 Tablets

It is designed to dissolve and get rid of the odor-causing residue. It comes in a tablet form that dissolves throughout the wash cycle to breakout the residue on your washing machine. It has a better formula compared to bleach and is safe for all types of washers.

You can use it once a month to keep up the cleanliness and freshness of your washer. Since it’s in tablet form, you don’t have to worry about spilling. It can last for 2 years from the production date that is visible from the box.

The best part is that you can already have a 6 months supply in one box. It’s simple to use as you can just drop the tablet in water and start the wash cycle.

You can just leave it there and just get back to it once the wash cycle is over. Just rinse as usual to flush away the dissolved residue washing laundry leave behind. You can just do it once a month to make sure that your washing machine will be in its top condition.

Pros:

• It will dissolve residue and remove it completely.
• Compatible with any type of washer.
• Can keep your washer smelling fresh.
• You can have a 6 months supply in just one box.

Cons:

• The production date shows instead of showing the expiry date, making it confusing for some.

2. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner 5 Count

This comes in a box with 5 sachets to clean your washer effectively. This washing machine cleaner can dissolve and remove soil and mineral residue while washing clothes.

It can also penetrate the areas that you can’t even see, such as the hose, drain, and even the back of the tub. It has a powerful formula that will also get into the cause of a bad smell on the washer and deal with it.

You can get a thorough clean with this product, as it will make sure to kill germs and bacteria that may lurk behind your washer.

It removes odor-causing residue instead of just masking it from its scent. Since this is a popular brand most households use all over the world, you can make sure that you will never go wrong in purchasing this product.

Tide is a trusted brand, so it means that even if you are a newbie in finding the washing machine cleaner, you can still get what your washer needs.

Pros:

• It’s a unique product and has a natural way of cleaning.
• Works with any type of washing machine efficiencies.
• Perfect gift for those who need the washing machine cleaner for their home.
• It can penetrate the hidden areas of your washer.

Cons:

• It contains only 5 sachets in one box so it can only last for 5 months.

3. Affresh W10549851 Dishwasher Cleaner 6 Tablets

If you are still testing, which will be the best washing machine cleaner for top loader for your washer. This dissolves and removes laundry residues that accumulated over time.

It will also make your washer smell fresh. Since it comes in tablet form, you don’t have to worry that it may spill all over your cabinet in the laundry area.

You can also use it in high-efficiency or not the high-efficiency type of washers. Since it’s better than bleach, you can use it to make sure that your washer will be bacteria-free and germ-free.

Odor-causing bacteria can lurk around your washer and can possibly get into your laundry every time you wash them.

To avoid it from happening, use this product at least once a month. Not only it will make your washer clean, but it will also keep you from disease-causing germs.

Pros:

• It’s in tablet form to make storage more efficient.
• Dissolved and removes odor-causing residues from your washer.
• Use it only once a month to keep up the cleanliness of your washer.
• Leave your washing machine with a fresh smell.

Cons:

• It can only last for a few months.

4. Affresh W10549846 Washing Machine Cleaner, 5 Tablets

If you want to make sure that your washing machine cleaning tablets are safe and clean, then the affresh washer tablets are for you.

Since washers are getting more expensive as time goes by, you must not only make sure that your washer is clean. The safety of your machine must also be a priority.

Cleaning your washer from all the residue left when you do your laundry also maintains the efficiency of your washing machine.

Not only it will smell fresh and clean, but you can also avoid having to call for repairs in the future. By maintaining the efficiency of your washer, it will also not consume too much electricity.

 Make sure to always clean your wash machine cleaner so that you can also save this way. Since this product is Whirlpool recommended, it means it will be safe for any type of washing machine.

It can also save your health from germs and bacteria that are lurking behind your washer.

Pros:

• Recommended by Whirlpool, which is one of the effective washing machine brands.
• Penetrate and clean residue from the everyday load.
• Can make front load and top load washer clean.
• Your septic tank will be safe from this product.

Cons:

• It contains only 5 washer cleaning tablets mean just 5 months of clean water and you have to get more.

5. 12 Pack of Washing Machine Lint Traps

It comes with 12 stainless Lint Traps. You can attach it to your washing machine hose directly. This will filter the laundry water. It works like a lint catcher and remover at the same time.

Just clean it regularly depending on your usage. If the trap is almost full, you can already replace your lint trap.

This is another washing cleaners as it will avoid lint stains that can cause your washer to smell. You can get 12 packs of lint traps so that you will have a lot of space when you already need to change your old lint trap.

It’s made from stainless steel material so that you don’t need to worry about rusting. This will already prevent lint stains that can build up in your washer. These lint traps contained 12 traps and ties that you can use for a long time.

Pros:

• It will avoid residue build-up since it will already catch laundry water as you wash.
• No need to put out another lint trap since this will not fall off.
• Made from stainless steel to avoid rusting.

Cons:

• It cannot be used with standpipe drains or pipes inside the wall.

6. Tide Washing Machine Cleaner

Do you want to get your clothes cleaner? Tide Washing Machine Cleaner is a powerful detergent that removes dirt and stains from your clothes.

It’s specially formulated for high efficiency and non-high efficiency machines. So it will clean all of your laundry without any fuss. You can use it with confidence in whites, colors, delicacies, and more!

With Tide Washing Machine Cleaner in the house, you’ll never have to worry about dirty clothes again. This product dimension is ‎7.7 x 3.2 x 3.2 inches.

So, you can keep it anywhere in your house. You can carry this product in your bags. This product is lightweight, it is only 1.5 Pounds. So, what are you waiting for? Get your machine cleaner today.

Key Features:

 Sweet Scent: This product has a sweet scent that will compete with the smell of your dirty laundry. This will make it easy for you to open the machine and start cleaning without being overwhelmed by a bad smell.

1 Gallon: The container contains 1 gallon of product. You can easily pour out as much or as little as you need depending on how much laundry you have in the machine at one time.

Odor Control: Tide Washing Machine Cleaner is specially formulated to fight odors, keeping your clothes smelling their best after each wash cycle.

Pros:

• This machine cleaner is working on both high efficiency and non-high efficiency machines.
• It works with most top-loading and front-loading washers.
• It removes tough stains and odors, leaving your clothes feeling fresh.
•  It is safe for use in all energy efficiency machines.
• The scent makes it enjoyable to do laundry.

Cons:

• It is not suitable for clothes
• It does not clean as well as bleach

How to Clean a Washing Machine Cleaner For Hard Water

The best way to keep your clothes fresh and smelling good is by using the right detergent. But what if you have hard water? It can be difficult to find a detergent. It will work with hard water, but not anymore!

Hard water is a natural, eco-friendly cleaner that eliminates odors and leaves behind a light citrus scent. You won’t believe how easy it is to use! Here are some ways that will help you to do this job:

Step 01: Fill the washing machine with hot water

Step 02: Add a cup of white vinegar and a half-cup of baking soda

Step 03: Run the cycle for about 30 minutes to an hour

Step 04: Rinse out the washing machine thoroughly

Step 05: If you have hard water, use this method every month or two to get rid of dirt and buildup on your washer’s drum

Step 06: You can also clean your dishwasher in a similar fashion by following these steps as well

I hope this will help you to do this job easily.

History of Washing Machine Cleaner

Before the soap and detergent manufacturers make the washing machine, most households use a more natural way to clean their washers.

The classic vinegar and baking soda trick will do the cleaning. This trick can actually clean most parts of the washing machine. However, when the more advanced washers came to be, baking soda and vinegar solution is no longer recommended.

This solution can cause harm, especially if you are using a high-efficiency washing machine. It can cause a bigger problem than simply just wanting your washer clean. There are a lot of articles all over the internet about the history of washing machines.

However, it seems that the cleaners just sprouted without proper documentation. Since soap and detergent manufacturers keep on making revolutionary products to make it easier for us, it might just happen along the way.

How To Keep Your Washing Machine Cleaners?

Cleaning the washer is already being ignored. Not because your washer can clean your clothes doesn’t mean that it didn’t need the same thing as well.

Tips to Keep Your Washing Machine Clean

Choose Cleaning Mode:

Choose the effective washing machine cleaner you can find to clean your washer and choose the cleaning mode.

Run a hot empty cycle:

Hot water can do the trick to dissolve some grime and dirt. You can do it once in a while to keep your washer clean.

Remove the detergent tray:

The detergent tray needs to get cleaned as well since old detergent probably got stuck in there.

Check the door seal:

For a front-load washing machine, it is the dirtiest part. Check it for mildew and clean it right away.

Clean the filter:

The filter catches all the dirt and grime, so make sure to clean it regularly as well.

Leave the door open:

Once you clean the washer, leave the door ajar in the meantime to avoid a bad smell on your washer.

Lessen the use of detergent:

Since most of the laundry detergent is so strong, you can just lessen it to keep your washing machine clean longer.

Which Are The Best Washing Machine Cleaner For Top Loader On The Market?

To help you decide further, here is the list of the best top loader washing machine cleaner on the market today. This can broaden your choices to see which one will work well for your washing machine cleaner top loader.

Affesh Washing Machine Cleaner

It comes in a tablet form that will dissolve in water as you run the cycle. This is a powerful product to dissolve and remove deep-seated dirt on your washer.

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner

It has a unique oxygenated bleach formula that will fight odor from your washer instead of just masking it. This comes in a powder form in every sachet.

Smelly Washer Inc. Washing Machine Cleaner

You can use it even while you have a full load of laundry in your washer. This will clean both your laundry and washer, making it both smells good.

Summit Brands Washing Machine Cleaner

This is approved by the EPA to be safe for humans and the environment. However, you will need 6 caps every time you have to clean your washer.

Sport Suds Washing Machine Cleaner

This is a non-toxic high-quality cleaner that is effective. It is also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, making it a good choice even if you have infants around.

What are The Types of Washing Machine Cleaner?

Washing machine cleaners come in different types as well. Manufacturers have different methods of how they can make their products more effective. It is in the form of a tablet, powder, or even liquid.

Tablet

The tablet form is commonly used for cleaning your washing machine. This type of cleaner is compatible with most washing machines today. Washer cleaner tablets dissolve as you run the cycle. This way, it will penetrate the sides of your washing machines that you do not see.

It can effectively dissolve the residues and flush them away after one wash cycle is over. You can then safely use your washing machine to avoid your clothes from catching this yucky residue.

Powder

Some manufacturers make a washing machine cleaner in powder form. It is because the ingredients can easily get dissolve in water just like the usual detergent.

Once the powder got into the water, the active solution it has will be activated. When you run the cleaning cycle, this will clean up your washer thoroughly.

It will dissolve the residue both from the detergent soap and the fabrics of your clothes. Once the cleaning cycle ends, your washer machine cleaner will be clean and fresh.

Liquid

Bleach is in a liquid form that is still widely being used. It’s a universal cleaner. That’s why some manufacturers also made their washing machine cleaner in a liquid form. It instantly goes deep into the machine to dissolve the dirty residues from washing your laundry.

Benefits of a Washing Machine Cleaner

There are some good benefits to using the washing machine cleaner. It’s not just to the life you by the manufacturers to buy their products. It can also help you to make sure that your washer is always clean all the time.

Make it Odor-Free

Nothing as gross and as a dirty and smelly washing machine. By using this product, you can get rid of the bad smell that may cause your laundry to become smelly too. It’s a bad sign for your clothes as well as for your home. Since bad smell can linger and reach other parts of your home.

Fights Harmful Bacteria

Since you wash your dirty clothes in your washer, it can also keep the germs and harmful bacteria. When you do your laundry again, those can get passed on to your clothes. It will leave you with clothes full of germs that are bad for your health.

Making Your Washer to Last Longer

Cleaning your washer is not just to avoid the bad odors or fight off the bacteria. This can also make the life of your washing machine longer. By using a washing machine cleaner regularly, it will dissolve the residue build-up that is harmful to your washer.

How To Use Best Washing Machine Cleaner For Mold

Using a Washing Machine Cleaner For Mold is simple. All you need to do is to read the label for the instructions. Or you can also continue reading from here to see how can you do it. It’s not complicated, so anyone can start cleaning.

For Powder

• Fill the washer with warm water.
• Put the entire content of the sachet into the dispenser.
• Spin for about 10 minutes.
• Let it soak for an hour.
• Drain and rinse.

For Tablet

• Put the tablet directly into the washer.
• Make sure to choose the hot water setting.
• Run it in the normal washing cycle.
• Drain the washer and rinse.

For Liquid 

• Make sure to have hot watered on the washer.
• Put 2 cups of liquid washing machine cleaner or as instructed.
• Set it to full cycle.
• Let it soak for 5 minutes.
• Spin and drain.
• Rinse the washer.

Make sure that whatever type of washing machine cleaners you would like to use that it is not going to be harmful to your washer model. Since most of the modern washers are quite expensive, choose the washing machine cleaner for a mold that is compatible with what you own.

Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Hard Water Washing Machine Cleaner

Before you head out to buy your perfect washing machine cleaner for hard water, it is important to consider some things.

This is to make it easier for you to choose the best washing machine cleaner to get. It will help you decide and avoid getting just about anything to just get over your search.

Searching online is the best way to see the difference in each brand. You can compare from Amazon as well and see it in a better light than when you are in the grocery. You can just check the comparison list to help you decide which will end up on your cart.

Here are the other things to consider:

Form

Not just because you get used to powdering detergent on your laundry, you will also go for the powder form when it comes to your washing machine cleaner. You also have other choices like the tablet or liquid form.

Compatibility

Do you have a high-efficiency washer or just the regular none efficient type? You also need to consider if the cleaner you are going to buy is compatible with your washing machine. That way, you can make sure that it will not do harm to your washer and regret cleaning it.

Price

There are some expensive washing machine cleaners, but it doesn’t mean that it is the best already. But don’t go on with a very cheap item, though, since it may even add more residue to your washer. If you are new to this, you can just go to Amazon to compare pricing and the ratings from other consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

There are frequently asked questions in every product. This is normal since most consumers are trying to look for effective washing machine cleaners around. People should know these common questions to help them decide which product to get.

Why do you need to clean your washing machine?

It is just common sense. You need to clean your washing machine to be more efficient when washing your clothes.

Where can you get the best washing machine cleaner?

You can get it from Amazon or the supermarket. If you don’t want to hassle yourself with driving, just order it online and wait for it.

How to choose a cleaner if you’re a first-timer?

If you watch television, you must have already sawed it from the ads. You can start from there or choose the brand you are already familiar with. Check it from Amazon if you want a more in-depth description with pictures and star ratings as well.

Why do you need to use a washing machine cleaner?

The washing machine cleaner was made of a stronger solution than the usual detergent. Since there are parts of the washer you can’t even see, the cleaner can penetrate there to clean it for you.

Will it be Harmful to Clothes?

Since washing machine cleaners have a stronger solution, they can be harmful to your colored clothes. Just make sure to rinse it properly after cleaning to make sure that it will not ruin your clothes when you do your laundry after cleaning.

Final Word:

The best washing machine cleaner for hard water is available out there. You can even just go to Amazon to also see the ratings to help you decide which one to get.

Since now you are more aware of the benefits of using a washing machine cleaner, you can start choosing what you will use. Cleaning your washer is a must and not get ignored.

If you do, you may suffer the consequences of not choosing this simple chore. You don’t want to break the bank for service repairs or worse, if you get hospitalized. So choose the perfect washing machine cleaner now to prevent these nasty stories from happening to you.

References

1. Hard Water Could Be Sabotaging Your Laundry—Here’s How to Fix It: https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/tips-checklists/hard-water-laundry/
2. How to Solve Hard Water Laundry Problems: https://www.thespruce.com/solving-hard-water-laundry-problems-2146651
3. How To Clean a Washing Machine: https://diy.repairclinic.com/how-to-clean-a-washing-machine/