affresh Dishwasher and Washing Machine Cleaners Compared

Best for
Occasional washer deep clean

Best for
Heavy laundry households stocking up

Best for
Whole-kitchen and laundry appliance care

Best for
Trying affresh washer tablets first

Best for
Homes cleaning both washer and dishwasher

The Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner And Dishwasher bundle pairs the two most common tablets in one box of 12, labeled as a 6 month supply. The washer cleaner targets odor-causing bacteria, soap scum and grime in the pump, valve, drum, basket or tub and filter. The dishwasher cleaner goes after odor-causing bacteria, foggy limescale and mineral deposits in the pump, filter, tub, valve, drain, washer arms and recirculation hoses.

The listing says the bundle is EPA Safer Choice Certified and septic safe, lists the scent as lime and marks it low odor. It states the recommending brands Whirlpool, Maytag and Amana are owned by the same company as affresh, which is worth knowing when you read the recommendation claim. The listing does not say exactly how the 12 tablets split between washer and dishwasher, though a 6 month label with two appliances suggests six of each.

This bundle suits most households that own both machines and want one order to cover them. If your kitchen sink has a disposal that smells, the 18 tablet set adds that cleaner.

• Washer and dishwasher tablets in one set
• EPA Safer Choice Certified and septic safe
• Safe for plastic and stainless steel surfaces, per the listing

The Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in the 6 count box is the straightforward washer-only option. The description says it powers into internal washer components to remove smells, soap scum, bacteria and grime, and warns that untreated odor-causing bacteria can transfer onto clothes, sheets and stuffed toys. Use is simple: drop in a tablet and run the cycle.

This listing is thin on specs. It gives the package dimensions as 2.5 x 4 x 6 inches at 9.44 ounces and the model number W10501250, but no usage frequency, scent or certification details. We would not assume the Safer Choice claim from the bundles applies here unless the box says so.

This pack suits someone who has noticed a musty smell from a front-loader or towels that do not come out fresh and wants to see if a tablet fixes it. If you like the results, the 12 count saves you reordering as often. For more on using these in a specific washer type, see our guide to affresh tablets for top loaders.

The Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner 18 tablet set is the Ultimate Appliance Care Bundle: washer cleaner, dishwasher cleaner and garbage disposal cleaner, labeled as a 6 month supply. The washer and dishwasher tablets carry the same descriptions as the two-way bundle. The disposal cleaner targets odor-causing bacteria, rotting food debris and residue in the grind chamber, impeller and drain pipe.

This listing states the disposal cleaner is EPA Safer Choice Certified and septic safe. It does not give a per-product tablet count; 18 tablets over 6 months across three appliances points to six of each, but the listing does not confirm that. It also does not list scent or weight.

Choose this if the kitchen sink has started to smell as bad as the washer. It is the broadest coverage here, but it is more than a small apartment without a disposal will use.

The Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner 12 count is the largest washer-only pack here. The description matches the 6 count: the same claims about removing smells, soap scum, bacteria and grime, and the same drop-in method. The listing gives package dimensions of 3.03 x 5.03 x 8.03 inches at 1.15 pounds and model number W11756278.

No usage frequency or certification detail appears in this listing either. What it offers is quantity: twice the tablets of the 6 count, so you reorder half as often.

This suits families running several loads a day, households with pets and a lot of bedding, or anyone who wants to stock up once. If you are still testing whether tablets suit your washer, start smaller.

The Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner 5 count is the smallest washer pack. Its description is identical to the other washer-only listings, and it lists package dimensions of 0.88 x 2.25 x 4.07 inches at 7.05 ounces with model number W10549846.

With five tablets, it suits someone who only runs a deep clean now and then, or a single-person household with a light laundry load. If you run one tablet a month, the 6 and 12 counts will last longer between orders. Anyone comparing tablet brands can also read our look at other washing machine tablets to see how formats differ.

Best for
Dishwasher-only owners fighting foggy glasses

The Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner is the dishwasher-only choice, labeled as a 6 month supply. The description targets foggy glasses, smelly plates and dull silverware by removing odor-causing residues, limescale and mineral buildup from deep inside the dishwasher. It states the tablet is safe to use with or without a load of dishes, which makes it easy to slip into a normal cycle.

The listing does not state the tablet count, only the 6 month label, and gives package dimensions of 2.5 x 3.5 x 5.7 inches at 4.8 ounces with model number W10549851.

This suits anyone with hard water spots on glasses or a dishwasher that smells when you open it, and who does not need a washer cleaner. If you want both, the two-way bundle covers it in one order.