I consider myself a clean freak. I wash my bed sheets weekly, I deep clean every Sunday and I vacuum multiple times a week. I do, however, consider the washing machine to be a hidden mess, because I don't really see it daily.

However, I did start to notice my sheets were coming out with little brown streaks in them and my whites were definitely not their 'whitest of whites' like the washing machine setting states. It was around this time that I thought I would bite the bullet and take a look at what was really going on inside of my washer because my laundry was starting to come out looking unclean and the smell was starting to be a problem.

When I opened up my machine, at first glance it looked fine. I thought it even looked pretty shiny for not having cleaned it in years. At a closer glance, however, I started getting disgusted. I turned on my phone flashlight and gasped because I not only saw dirt, but found literal trash stuck in the drum of my washer. Then I peeled back the rubber rim to see mold and mildew buildup that was probably causing the smell.

After my initial horror, I made up a game plan of setting aside at least a couple of hours to deep clean my washer, but kept putting it off for weeks until a figurative golden ticket fell into my lap — the Affresh washing machine cleaner tablets.

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaning Tablets

What we like

Easy to use
Great for tackling mold
Removes tough debree

Something to note

Washer needs a clean cycle

Size: 1-pack (6 tablets) | Scent: Citrus | Washer cycle: clean machine, sanitize

What are the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets?

The tablets are to be used during a self-cleaning cycle in your washer, but if your washer does not have the setting you can put it on a hot setting. It can be used on front-loading or top-loading washers. The product is designed to penetrate deep odors and residues that build up in your machine. The brand says you should use one tablet once a month.

For particularly tricky smells or messes, the brand recommends you use one tablet and run three self-cleaning cycles to tackle the problem. The tablet works with the water to dissolve and bring out odor-causing debris that was hidden in your machine.

How I tried the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets

On Amazon, the tablets have over 225,000 4.5-star reviews with lots of before and after testimonials for why they work. At this point, I was sold, but still unsure if it would really work for my seemingly disgusting washing machine.

The package is pretty small, but the tablets themselves are a little bit bigger in width than an Oreo. They are very thick and resemble a dishwasher detergent block. The instructions say to empty your washer and remove the packaging on the tablet to place it in the drum. From there I then put my washer on the self-cleaning cycle and said goodbye.

I watched as the tablet thumped around for a good 5 minutes before disappearing into the water. An hour and a half later, the "ding ding ding" of my machine alerted me to some impressive results.

What I like about the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets

They're surprisingly easy to use

For just popping this tablet in, I was surprised at how much residue came up after opening the drum when the cycle was done. For my first clean, I only had to use one wash cycle — even though my washer smelled and looked pretty bad.

The tablet lifted brown gunk and debris from deep in the drum and brought it to the surface, which meant that all I had to do was take a paper towel or rag and swipe it away.

It removes mess I didn't know I had

I was shocked when I saw how much mold and debris was in my washer. I had taken quite a few beach trips and camping trips this past summer and saw sand and leaves that came up with the tablet.

I also noticed the piece of trash that was once stuck in my drum was now free. The tablet even helped remove stubborn mold that was in the rubber rim of the washer.

And the best part? It smelled like lemon and citrus for the next couple of loads. One reviewer said it best, "I toss one AFFRESH in on my sanitizer setting and 'VOILA,' my washer smells amazing and so fresh and it also removes any buildup in between the rubber seals."

What to consider

While this product is great, I think you need to be consistent with using it. If you skip a month or are not mindful of when you last used it, you can expect buildup and odor to come back pretty quickly.

Some reviewers also noted that their skin started to get irritated after use, so be mindful and stop use if that happens.

Who are the Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets for?

If you like a clean house, but don't have the time or the energy to spend hours cleaning out your washer, I think these tablets are a great solution and help with the upkeep of your machine. They're great if you use your washer frequently and sometimes let clothes sit wet in there. It doesn't get easier than just popping in a tablet.

Why trust Shop TODAY?

The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products currently available. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.

Annie Shigo is a social media editorial assistant at Shop TODAY who has covered everything from beauty to cleaning supplies.