The 11 Best Dishwasher Cleaners of 2024
Dishwashers take on the arduous task of cleaning, sanitizing, and drying our dishes—but it’s important to remember that these appliances require regular cleaning themselves, too. That’s where dishwasher cleaners come in handy. Whether you want to clear pesky odors or stubborn hard water stains, a dishwasher cleaner is an easy way to help extend your machine’s lifespan and keep your dishes looking and smelling fresh.
To find the best dishwasher cleaners, we spent hours researching various formulas while considering factors like type, intended use and purpose, scent, and ingredients. We also spoke with Kathy Cohoon, cleaning expert and area representative at Two Maids and a Mop, and Craig Anderson, founder of Appliance Analysts.
True Fresh Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets at Amazon
$20
Aunt Fannie’s All Purpose 6% Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar at Amazon
$28
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It's an effective, affordable, and environmentally safe cleaner that's suitable to use on virtually any dishwasher.
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It might not work as well on stubborn stains and mineral buildup.
The Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner wins the top spot on our list as a highly rated, powerful, and effective cleaner that is safe to use on nearly any dishwasher. We also like that it’s an EPA Safer Choice-Certified product, which means it has been deemed safer for human health and the environment. You can use a tablet monthly or as needed to power away mineral buildup and limescale while thoroughly cleaning the dishwasher pump, valve, tub, racks, and internal hoses.
Although these tablets are effective enough to be used with a full load, we recommend running a normal cycle without any dishes for the best results. If your dishwasher is heavily soiled, you can use two tablets—one in the detergent tray and one at the bottom of the dishwasher. The impressive cleaning power of these tablets may even improve the overall performance of your dishwasher with regular use.
Type: Powder tablets | Quantity: 6 | Scent: Lemon | Number of Uses: 6
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This cleaner can be used with or without a full load of dishes.
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It may not neutralize severe odors.
Cleaning your dishwasher should be a frequent practice, so if you want an affordable cleaner you can rely on time and time again, opt for the Xrom Dishwasher Pro Cleaner. These powder tablets remove hard water stains, limescale, grime, grease, and odors. While these tablets may not work on severe odors or mold, we still think it’s effective for regular cleaning and light to moderate buildup.
While our pick for the best liquid dishwasher cleaner, Finish Dishwasher Hygienic Cleaner, is technically cheaper, these tablets are a better value overall because your purchase has six tablets, which can last up to six months.
Type: Powder tablets | Quantity: 6 | Scent: Original | Number of Uses: 6
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