Ever open your dishwasher to a faint, musty odor? It’s a common problem that even the best machines develop over time. That’s where a good dishwasher cleaner comes in handy. It tackles the hidden grime and residue your regular cycle misses, leaving everything fresh.
We tested several top brands to see which one really works. You’ll want to know which formula cuts through grease best and which leaves behind that clean, lemony scent. Let’s find the right solution for your kitchen.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best Dishwasher Cleaner
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Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria,…
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9.5 |
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Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria,…
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9.3 |
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Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria,…
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9.1 |
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Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid, Deep Cleans Hidden Grease &…
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9.0 |
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Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid, Deep Cleans Hidden Grease &…
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8.8 |
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Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets, Deep Cleans Hidden Grease &…
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8.6 |
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Dishwasher Cleaner And Deodorizer Tablets – 24 Pack Deep…
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8.4 |
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Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets – 24 Tablets (1-Year Supply) Lemon-Scented,…
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8.3 |
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Heavy Duty Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets, Descaler, Deep…
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8.1 |
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Seventh Generation Dishwasher Cleaning Packs 6 Count Free &…
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7.9 |
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Quick Review For Top 10 Dishwasher Cleaner
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria, Limescale, Mineral Deposits & Grime Inside Pump, Tub & Hoses, 6 Tablets, 6 Month Supply
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner helps deep clean your machine to remove what regular washes miss. Its tablets power away odor-causing bacteria, limescale, and grime from the pump, hoses, and tub. This helps keep your dishes cleaner and can improve your dishwasher’s performance. It’s the top recommended brand by major appliance makers. The tablets are convienient and safe for all dishwashers, even when you run a load with dishes.
Plus, it’s EPA Safer Choice certified, making it a good choice for your home and the enviroment. A six-month supply keeps your appliance fresh.
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria, Limescale, Mineral Deposits & Grime Inside Pump, Tub & Hoses, 6 Tablets, 6 Month Supply
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner helps deep clean your machine. It targets odor-causing bacteria, limescale, and grime hidden in the pump, hoses, and tub. This helps remove smells and can help your dishwasher run better. It’s the No. 1 brand recommended by major appliance makers. The convenient tablets are safer for people and the planet, with EPA Safer Choice certification. You can even run it with a load of dishes for easy cleaning.
It’s safe for all dishwasher makes and models, and it’s septic safe too. A six-tablet box provides a six-month supply, keeping your appliance fresh.
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria, Limescale, Mineral Deposits & Grime Inside Pump, Tub & Hoses, 12 Tablets, 1 Year Supply [2 Pack]
![Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria, Limescale, Mineral Deposits & Grime Inside Pump, Tub & Hoses, 12 Tablets, 1 Year Supply [2 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HZ-EjjuhL._SL500_.jpg)
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner is the top recommended brand by major appliance makers. It helps power away odor-causing bacteria, limescale, and grime deep inside your machine’s pump, tub, and hoses to optimize performance.
You can use these convienent tablets with or without a load of dishes, making them very versatile. They are a no-mess alternative to powders and liquids. The formula is EPA Safer Choice certified, septic safe, and works with all dishwasher makes and models.
Each pack contains a years supply to keep your appliance running it’s best.
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid, Deep Cleans Hidden Grease & Limescale, Fights Odors & Maintains Performance, 3 Month Supply, 8.45oz, 1 Bottle
The Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid is a deep-cleaning treatment for your machine. It targets hidden grease and limescale in the spray arms and filter, which helps improve your dishwashers overall performance. It also fights odors at the source to keep things fresh.
For best results, use this liquid cleaner every three months. Its compatible with most dishwasher models and is very easy to use—just place the bottle upside down in the bottom rack and run a hot cycle.
Many find it offers a more thorough clean than cleaner tablets, helping to maintain your appliance health over time.
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid, Deep Cleans Hidden Grease & Limescale, Fights Odors & helps maintain Performance, 1 Year Supply, 8.45oz, 4 Bottle
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid helps maintain your machine’s performance. It deep cleans hidden grease and limescale from inner parts like spray arms and filters, which a regular wash can’t reach. This fights odors at the source, keeping your dishwasher fresh.
For best results, use a bottle every 3 months. The liquid formula offers 5x more cleaning performance than cleaner tablets, compatable with most dishwashers.
It’s easy to use—just place the bottle upside down in an empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle. This 4-bottle pack provides a full year’s supply to help keep everything running smoothly.
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets, Deep Cleans Hidden Grease & Grime, Fights Odors, No Extra Wash Cycle, Helps Maintain Dishwasher, 4 Month Supply, 4 Count
The Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet is a monthly maintence tablet for your machine. It deep cleans hidden grease and grime in the spray arms and filter during your normal dish cycle, so theres no need for an extra wash. It also fights odors at there source to keep your dishwasher fresh. The formula has 100% more degreasing power than detergent alone and helps maintain your dishwasher’s performance. Just place one tablet in the bottom each month.
Its compatible with most standard and older dishwashers for a simple, effective clean.
Dishwasher Cleaner And Deodorizer Tablets – 24 Pack Deep Cleaning Descaler Pods for Dish Washer Machine, Heavy Duty, Septic Safe, Natural Limescale Remover, Calcium, Odor, Smell – 12 Month Supply
ACTIVE Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets are a monthly maintence solution for your machine. The deep descaling formula uses citric acid to remove limescale, grease, and gunk from jets and filters. It also works as a fresh odor eliminator, leaving a clean lemon-citrus scent.
Compatible with most major brands like GE, Bosch, and Samsung. Just run one tablet in a empty dishwasher each month.
This 24-pack provides a full 12-month supply, offering a simple way to keep your appliance running smoothly and smelling fresh. Its a septic safe, heavy-duty clean.
Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets – 24 Tablets (1-Year Supply) Lemon-Scented, Heavy Duty Cleaning Descaler Pods for Dish Washer, Deep Cleans & Maintains Your Dishwashing Machine for Optimal Performance
Bastion Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets provide a simple, year-long solution for machine maintenance. This 24-count supply means you can run a deep-clean cycle every two weeks to tackle grease and limescale. Each lemon-scented tablet leaves a fresh aroma behind after it cleans. Just drop one pod in the empty dishwasher and run a normal cycle—it’s that easy. Regular use helps prevent odors and buildup, which can protect your appliance’s performance over time.
It’s compatable with all major dishwasher brands, offering a straightforward way to help keep your machine in good working order.
Heavy Duty Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets, Descaler, Deep Cleaning, Natural Odor and Smell Remover, Calcium, Limescale, Hard Water Marks, Grease, Septic Safe Pods (12 Tabs – 1 Yr Supply)
The Heavy Duty Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets are a powerful, all-in-one solution for a fresher machine. Each large 20g tablet cleans twice as much, so you only need one. Its time-release formula deeply cleans, tackling tough limescale, grease, and hard water marks to remove odors at the source. The non-corrosive, septic-safe foam is effective yet gentle. It works on all major dishwasher brands, from LG to Whirlpool, helping to maintain your appliance’s performance.
A box of 12 tabs provides a full year’s supply, making it a simple and efficient choice for routine maintenance.
Seventh Generation Dishwasher Cleaning Packs 6 Count Free & Clear Removes odor-causing residue Powered by oxy power
Seventh Generation Dishwasher Cleaning Packs: These convenient packs are designed to refresh your dishwasher, targeting odor-causing residue left behind by food soils. Each mess-free, dissolvable pack runs one cleaning cycle—just use it monthly for best results. Its powered by active oxygen and is free of dyes and artificial fragrances. The formula is EPA Safer Choice Certified and 92% USDA biobased, making it a safer choice for homes with septic systems.
To use, place a pack in your empty dishwasher and run a normal cycle. Its from a B Corp committed to sustainability.
Dishwasher Cleaner Buying Guide
Even teh best dishwasher needs a good clean now and then. A dedicated dishwasher cleaner tackles hidden grease, mineral buildup, and odors that regular cycles miss, helping your machine run better and last longer.
Cleaning Power & Formula
Look at the active ingredients. Some formulas use citric acid to break down limescale, while others rely on oxygen-based bleaching for stain removal. A good one will handle both.
Ease of Use
The best options are simple. You often just place a pod or bottle in the empty machine and run a hot cycle—no scrubbing required. Check if it needs a pre-rinse, as that adds a step.
Freshness Results
Beyond cleaning, it should eliminate musty smells. If your dishes come out smelling a bit off, a cleaner with odor-fighting agents makes a real difference. Your next load will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dishwasher Cleaner
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
You should clean it about once a month. This helps prevent buildup and keeps it running smoothly.
What does a dishwasher cleaner actually do?
It removes grease, limescale, and food residue from inside the machine. These are things your regular detergent doesn’t always get.
Is it safe for my dishwasher?
Yes, if you use a product made for dishwashers. Just follow the instructions on the bottle careful.
Can I just use vinegar instead?
Vinegar can help, but a dedicated cleaner is more effective. It’s formulated to tackle the specific grime dishwashers collect.
Do I need to run an empty cycle?
Yes, you always run the cleaner in an empty dishwasher. You don’t want any dishes in there during the cleaning cycle.
Will it fix a bad smell?
Absolutely. A monthly clean is the best way to tackle those funky odors coming from your machine.
Conclusion
So, giving your machine a little regular care really pays off. You’ll likely notice a fresher kitchen and cleaner dishes right away.
Just pick a day each month to run a cycle with a dishwasher cleaner. It’s a simple habit that helps everything work like it should.