9 Best HE Washing Machine Cleaner (November 2026)

The best HE washing machine cleaners include the Tide Washing Machine Cleaner with Oxi for faster powder cleaning, the ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover Gel Cleaner Heavy for front-load gasket stains, and the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner for monthly tablet upkeep.

On this page (4 sections)

1. How we chose the best HE washing machine cleaner
2. Best HE washing machine cleaner picks
3. What should you look for in an HE washer cleaner?
4. Which HE washing machine cleaner should you choose?

The best HE washing machine cleaner for most homes is Tide Washing Machine Cleaner with Oxi, a powder for front and top load washers with Oxi and TAED cleaning action. Choose Affresh for time-release tablets, ACTIVE Pet Owners for pet residue, or ACTIVE Descaler for hard-water buildup.

HE washers use less water, so leftover detergent, body oils, minerals and moisture can collect in the drum, gasket, filter or drain path. For a Miele washer, compare Miele liquid detergent options when choosing a detergent.

A washer cleaner is used in an empty machine to target that buildup between laundry loads.

If you also need regular laundry soap, see our guide to laundry detergent. For tablet-only options, compare the best washing machine cleaner tablets.

Our picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for faster powder cleaning

   Tide Washing Machine Cleaner with Oxi

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for front-load gasket stains

   ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover Gel Cleaner Heavy

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for monthly tablet upkeep

   Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

4. 4

   ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner for Pet Owners

   Best for pet laundry buildup
   Check it
5. 5

   ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler 24 Pack

   Best for hard-water maintenance
   Check it
6. 6

   True Fresh Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner

   Best for unscented pet cleaning
   Check it
7. 7

   ACTIVE Washing Machine And Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets

   Best for two-appliance cleaning
   Check it
8. 8

   Green Gobbler Premium Washing Machine Cleaner

   Best for drain and hose buildup
   Check it
9. 9

   Renuv® Heavy Duty Washing Machine Cleaner

   Best for large tablets
   Check it

How we chose the best HE washing machine cleaner

The best HE washing machine cleaner should match the buildup you want to remove and the way you prefer to maintain the washer. We compared the stated washer compatibility, form, cleaning focus, count and directions for these 9 products.

Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. The scores do not represent direct testing.

A higher score does not mean every product suits every washer or household.

We gave extra weight to clear HE compatibility, practical maintenance schedules and a useful match for odor, mineral, pet or drain-related problems. A seal gel earned a place because front-load gasket stains need direct surface treatment, not only an empty drum cycle.

Best HE washing machine cleaner picks

Tide is the strongest general choice because it combines front and top load compatibility with a powder format and Oxi and TAED cleaning action. The other products are better when your main problem is a stained seal, pet residue, hard water, or drain buildup.

1

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner with Oxi: Best for faster powder cleaning

9.7/10Our score

• 10 individually packaged powder packets
• Front and top load washers
• Oxi and TAED formula
• 5-month supply

Tide combines Oxi and TAED in individually packaged powder packets for front and top load washers. The powder is designed to activate faster than tablets and is used monthly.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Powder format
• Oxi and TAED cleaning action
• Works with front and top load washers

Cons

• The package description gives conflicting supply lengths
• Powder requires careful packet handling

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner with Oxi suits buyers who want a powder packet instead of a tablet. The formula combines Oxi and TAED, and the product is designed for both front and top load washers, including HE models.

The box contains 10 individually packaged powder packets. Tide says the packets activate 20% faster than tablets, which may appeal if you want the cleaning action to start quickly during the washer-cleaning cycle.

Use one packet monthly according to the care routine described for the product. The package information refers to both a 10-month supply and a 5-month supply, so check the exact directions on the package before setting your schedule.

Choose Tide when you want Oxi-based residue and odor cleaning in a powder format. Its main trade-off is that powder packets need more careful handling than a tablet dropped into the drum.

2

ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover Gel Cleaner Heavy: Best for front-load gasket stains

9.7/10Our score

• 7 Fl Oz gel
• Front-load washer seal use
• At least five-hour dwell time
• Also works on grout and caulk

This concentrated gel targets visible mold or mildew stains on a front-load washer seal. It complements, rather than replaces, a cleaner used inside the empty washer.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Targets gasket stains
• Gel stays on vertical surfaces
• Useful beyond the washer

Cons

• Not an all-in-one drum cleaner
• Requires at least five hours before wiping

ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover Gel Cleaner Heavy is the best fit for a visible mold or mildew stain on a front-load washer seal. It is a 7 Fl Oz gel for direct treatment of the stained area.

Shake the gel for 10 seconds, apply an even layer, and leave it on the area for at least 5 hours. Wipe away loosened residue with a clean cloth, then rinse the treated surface with water.

This is a seal treatment, not a replacement for an empty-drum cleaner. Use it when the problem is visible discoloration on the gasket, and pair your general washer-care routine with the directions for an interior cleaner.

The gel also works on bathroom grout, shower surfaces, caulk and other listed household areas. Its narrow washer use makes it less suitable as your only cleaner if the drum or drain also needs attention.

3

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner: Best for monthly tablet upkeep

9.7/10Our score

• 12 time-release tablets
• Front, top load and HE washers
• EPA Safer Choice Certified
• One tablet once a month

Affresh uses time-release tablets for monthly cleaning inside washer components. Its 12-tablet format makes the once-a-month schedule easy to track.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Simple monthly routine
• Time-release formula
• Safe for all washer makes and models

Cons

• Tablet format dissolves differently from powder
• Designed for ongoing maintenance, not spot treatment

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the easiest pick for a simple monthly tablet routine. The box contains 12 time-release tablets, and the product is designed for front load, top load and HE washers of all makes and models.

Affresh says the tablets clean deep inside washer components, including the pump, drum and filter, while helping remove soap scum, grime and odors. The one-tablet, once-a-month schedule is easy to add to a calendar.

The product is EPA Safer Choice Certified and septic safe. Those features may matter if you want a tablet with a stated environmental and septic-safety focus.

Choose Affresh when you want a familiar monthly process and broad washer compatibility. It is less suited to a visible gasket stain, which needs direct surface treatment such as a gel.

4

ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner for Pet Owners: Best for pet laundry buildup

9.7/10Our score

• 24 septic-safe tablets
• 5-in-1 enzyme blend
• Pet hair, urine, odor and residue focus
• HE, front and top load washers

ACTIVE Pet Owners uses an enzyme blend for households dealing with pet hair, urine odor and organic residue. The 24-tablet pack is designed for monthly use, with the directions also describing twice-monthly maintenance.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Pet-focused formula
• 24-tablet pack
• Septic-safe and compatible with HE washers

Cons

• The directions describe more than one schedule
• Pet-focused features may be unnecessary for other homes

ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner for Pet Owners is made for households with dogs or cats and recurring hair, urine odor, sludge or organic residue. It uses a 5-in-1 enzyme blend and comes as 24 septic-safe tablets.

The tablets are designed for HE, front-load and top-load washers. ACTIVE also names compatibility with Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, GE, Speed Queen, Maytag and Amana washers.

The product directions describe placing a tablet in the empty washer and using a Clean Washer cycle or a hot regular cycle. They also describe both monthly and twice-monthly maintenance, so use the schedule that matches the package directions and your washer's care guidance.

Choose this product when pet-related buildup is the main concern. If your washer has no pet laundry and mainly needs mineral-scale control, a dedicated descaler may be a closer match.

5

ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler 24 Pack: Best for hard-water maintenance

9.6/10Our score

• 24 effervescent tablets
• Descaling formula
• Unscented and bleach free
• Front, top load and HE washers

This unscented, bleach-free tablet pack focuses on hard-water buildup, residue and washer odor. The 24-tablet box supports a longer maintenance routine than smaller packs.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Descaling focus
• Unscented
• 24-count supply

Cons

• Does not target visible gasket stains directly
• Tablet cycle needs time to dissolve and work

ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler 24 Pack is the best match for buyers who want a longer supply with a hard-water and odor focus. It contains 24 effervescent tablets in an unscented, bleach-free formula.

The tablets are designed for high-efficiency, standard top-load and front-load washers. ACTIVE describes the formula as a descaler that breaks down grime and hard-water buildup when exposed to water.

Use it for regular drum, seal and internal-part maintenance, not as a direct treatment for a black spot on the rubber gasket. The unscented format also suits people who want cleaning without added fragrance.

Choose this pack when you want 24 treatments available for ongoing care. Its trade-off is that the tablet does not target a visible seal stain as directly as the ACTIVE gel.

6

True Fresh Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner: Best for unscented pet cleaning

9.5/10Our score

• Triple enzyme formula
• Oxygen-based cleaning
• 24 tablets
• 2 tablets monthly for a 12-month supply

True Fresh combines triple enzymes with oxygen-based cleaning for pet hair, dander, organic buildup and mineral deposits. The unscented formula suits homes that do not want added fragrance.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Unscented
• Pet-focused enzyme blend
• One-year supply at the stated schedule

Cons

• Uses 2 tablets per treatment
• Newer product with less long-term availability history

True Fresh Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner suits pet households that want an unscented tablet with enzyme and oxygen-based cleaning. Its triple enzyme formula targets pet hair, dander and organic buildup, while the descaling action addresses mineral deposits.

The box contains 24 tablets, with directions to use 2 tablets per month for a 12-month supply. True Fresh says the tablets work in HE, front-load and top-load washers and are septic safe.

Place the tablets in the empty drum, not the detergent drawer, then run the Clean Washer cycle or the hottest available cycle. Wipe away loosened grime after the cycle ends.

Choose True Fresh when you prefer a pet-focused product without added scent. Using 2 tablets per treatment means the box lasts 12 months at the stated schedule, rather than 24 monthly treatments.

7

ACTIVE Washing Machine And Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets: Best for two-appliance cleaning

9.2/10Our score

• 48-tablet set
• Washer and dishwasher tablets included
• Bleach free
• Unscented

This bundle combines washer cleaning tablets with dishwasher cleaner tablets. It fits homes that want one appliance-care set for both machines.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Covers two appliance types
• 48-tablet set
• Unscented and bleach free

Cons

• Not every tablet is for the washer
• The bundle needs separate storage and correct placement

ACTIVE Washing Machine And Dishwasher Cleaning Tablets is the practical choice if you maintain both a washer and a dishwasher. The 48-tablet set includes separate washer cleaner and dishwashing cleaner tablets.

The washer tablets work with standard and HE machines, while the dishwasher tablets go in the dishwasher detergent tray. The product is unscented, bleach free and designed for descaling and odor control.

Keep the two tablet types separate so you use the correct one in each appliance. For the washer, place one tablet directly in the empty drum and run a normal hot cycle or the Clean Washer setting.

Choose this bundle when two-appliance storage is more useful than a washer-only formula. It is less convenient if you only want a single product for monthly HE washer care.

8

Green Gobbler Premium Washing Machine Cleaner: Best for drain and hose buildup

8.9/10Our score

• 28 tablets
• Pipe, drain and hose cleaning focus
• Front and top load washers
• Safe for HE washers and septic systems

Green Gobbler is aimed at buildup in the washer's hoses, drains and pipes, where odors and blockages can start. Its 28-count pack supports regular use.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Drain and hose focus
• 28-count pack
• Works with HE, front and top load washers

Cons

• Less focused on visible seal stains
• System-cleaning claims may not match every odor source

Green Gobbler Premium Washing Machine Cleaner is aimed at buildup in the washer's drain, hose and pipe system. The 28-count tablet pack is designed for front-load, top-load and HE washers.

Green Gobbler says the tablets target odor-causing buildup, limescale and mold or mildew stains without bleach. It also describes the tablets as safe for washer seals, pipes and septic systems.

This focus makes the product useful when a washer odor seems connected to the drain path rather than only the drum. It does not replace wiping a visibly dirty gasket or cleaning removable parts by hand.

Choose Green Gobbler when drain and hose buildup are central concerns. Pick a standard drum cleaner instead if you mainly want a simple monthly tablet for general residue.

9

Renuv® Heavy Duty Washing Machine Cleaner: Best for large tablets

8.7/10Our score

• 40-gram tablets
• 6 extra-large tablets
• Time-release formula
• Unscented and compatible with HE washers

Renuv uses extra-large 40-gram tablets for buyers who prefer fewer treatments. The six-tablet pack is intended for monthly cleaning across front load, top load and HE washers.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Large 40-gram tablets
• Six-month supply
• Unscented formula

Cons

• Fewer treatments per pack
• Large tablets may need more time to dissolve

Renuv Heavy Duty Washing Machine Cleaner is for buyers who prefer larger 40-gram tablets and fewer treatments. The package contains 6 extra-large tablets for a stated 6-month supply when used monthly.

Renuv says the time-release tablets clean the pump, drum, tub, valve, agitator, filter and hose. The formula is unscented and designed for front-load, top-load and HE washers across major brands.

The six-tablet format reduces the number of individual tablets you store, but it also gives you fewer total treatments than the 24-count options here. Use it when a large tablet and a six-month routine fit your maintenance habits.

Choose Renuv for a heavy-duty tablet format with no added scent. Its trade-off is the shorter supply compared with 12-month packs.

What should you look for in an HE washer cleaner?

Look for clear HE compatibility, a cleaning format you will use correctly, and a formula aimed at your main buildup. Powder and tablets suit empty-drum cycles, while gel is better for a visible front-load seal stain.

Does the best HE washing machine cleaner need to be low suds?

The best HE washing machine cleaner should be used exactly as directed for an empty cleaning cycle. HE washers use less water, so adding extra detergent or using a laundry product in place of a washer cleaner can create unwanted residue.

Check the care instructions for your washer before choosing a cycle. Our guide to [What Makes a Washer High Efficiency?

HE Basics Explained](/what-makes-a-washing-machine-high-efficiency/) explains why low-water machines need a different maintenance approach.

Should you choose tablets, powder or gel?

Choose powder when you want Tide's Oxi and TAED formula in individually wrapped packets. Choose tablets for a measured monthly routine, especially with Affresh, ACTIVE Descaler or Renuv.

Choose gel only when the problem is a visible stain on a seal or another surface listed for that product. A gel applied to the gasket does not clean the hidden interior of the washer by itself.

How do you use HE washing machine cleaner safely?

Run the washer empty, put the cleaner in the location named by the product directions, and select the Clean Washer cycle when available. Do not mix cleaners, add laundry, or place dishwasher tablets in the washer.

Afterward, wipe the door seal, drum edge and detergent drawer if the directions call for it. Leave the door open so the interior can dry, and follow the appliance manual for filters or removable parts.

For loading habits that reduce residue and imbalance, see How to Load a Washing Machine Without Overloading It.

Do different washer brands need different cleaners?

Most products here are described for broad washer compatibility, including HE, front-load and top-load machines. Brand-specific guidance can still help if you own a Whirlpool or LG washer.

See our guide to the best washing machine cleaner for Whirlpool or the best washing machine cleaner for LG before choosing a general cleaner.

For plant-focused options, compare the best natural washing machine cleaner. If you want to understand ingredients first, read what is washing machine cleaner made of.

Which HE washing machine cleaner should you choose?

Choose Tide if you want a powder packet with Oxi and TAED cleaning action for front and top load washers. Choose Affresh for a straightforward 12-tablet monthly routine, and choose ACTIVE Pet Owners or True Fresh when pet hair and organic buildup are central concerns.

Pick ACTIVE Descaler for hard-water buildup, Green Gobbler for drain and hose concerns, and ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover Gel for visible front-load gasket stains. The best HE washing machine cleaner is the one that matches the source of the residue and the maintenance schedule you can follow.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for faster powder cleaning

   Tide Washing Machine Cleaner with Oxi

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for front-load gasket stains

   ACTIVE Mold Stain Remover Gel Cleaner Heavy

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for monthly tablet upkeep

   Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What is the best HE washing machine cleaner?

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner with Oxi is the best HE washing machine cleaner for most homes because it comes as powder packets for front and top load washers and combines Oxi with TAED. Affresh is a strong tablet choice, while ACTIVE Pet Owners fits homes with pet-related residue.

Can you use washing machine cleaner in an HE washer?

Yes. The products in this guide are designed for HE washers, although each has its own directions.

Put tablets or powder in the empty washer as directed, use the Clean Washer cycle when available, and do not add laundry detergent to the cleaning cycle.

How often should you clean an HE washing machine?

Monthly cleaning is the simplest routine for most HE washers. Some pet-focused products describe twice-monthly use, so follow the schedule for the cleaner you choose.

Wipe the door seal and leave the washer open afterward to help the interior dry.

Do HE washing machine cleaners make a lot of suds?

HE washing machine cleaners are made for an empty cleaning cycle, not a normal laundry load, so follow the product directions instead of adding extra detergent. Tablet, powder and gel formats work differently, and visible suds are not a reliable measure of cleaning.