A dishwasher can clean your plates every day and still become surprisingly dirty inside. Grease, food residue, limescale and mineral deposits can accumulate in the filter, spray arms, drain and other hidden areas. That buildup can contribute to odors, cloudy glassware and weaker cleaning performance.
If you’re ready to buy a dishwasher cleaner, Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets are our top overall pick for 2026. They are convenient, designed for regular maintenance, and certified by the U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice program.
Quick pick: Choose Affresh for an easy monthly tablet; choose Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid if you specifically want a deep-cleaning liquid that targets grease and limescale.
Best Dishwasher Cleaners at a Glance
| Product | Best for | Type | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner | Best overall | Tablets | Easy monthly maintenance |
| Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid | Best deep clean | Liquid | Targets grease + limescale |
| Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaner | Best while washing dishes | Tablets | Runs during a regular cycle |
| Affresh 12-Count | Best value | Tablets | More cleaning cycles per pack |
| Citric-acid-based cleaner | Hard-water buildup | Powder/liquid | Useful for mineral deposits |
1. Best Overall: Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets
Shop Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner
Why we recommend it: Affresh is a particularly convenient choice if you want a dishwasher cleaner you can simply add to your cleaning routine once a month.
The tablets are designed to help remove odors, limescale and mineral deposits from areas including the pump, filter, tub, valve, drain and spray arms. Affresh says its cleaner is suitable for all dishwasher makes and models and recommends monthly use.
Pros
- Tablet format is mess-free
- Helps tackle odors and mineral buildup
- EPA Safer Choice certified
- Septic safe
- Suitable for all dishwasher brands
- Can be used with or without dishes
Cons
- Tablets aren’t ideal if you specifically prefer a liquid cleaner
- Severe buildup may require additional cleaning
Best for: Most households that want a simple, repeatable dishwasher-cleaning routine.
CTA: [Check the latest Affresh price and availability]
2. Best for Deep Cleaning: Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid
Shop Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid
If your dishwasher has noticeable grease, grime or limescale buildup, Finish’s liquid cleaner is worth considering.
Finish describes the formula as a dual-action cleaner for hidden grease and limescale. The 8.45-ounce bottle is designed to be placed upside down in the bottom rack before running the dishwasher empty on its hottest cycle. You should not add detergent or soap during this cleaning cycle.
Pros
- Targets both grease and limescale
- Designed for a hot, empty cleaning cycle
- Simple bottle application
- Fits all dishwashers
Cons
- Requires an empty dishwasher
- Uses a dedicated cleaning cycle
Best for: Dishwashers with visible residue, greasy buildup or mineral deposits.
CTA: [See Finish Dishwasher Cleaner options]
3. Best for Convenience: Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs
Shop Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaner
Don’t want to run a completely separate cleaning cycle? Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs are designed to be used during a regular dishwasher cycle.
Finish says the tabs target hidden grease and can be placed in the main detergent cup. The current product comes as a three-wash pack.
Pros
- Convenient tablet format
- Can be used during a regular cycle
- Designed to tackle hidden grease
- No liquid bottle to handle
Cons
- Smaller pack than some tablet options
- Not the best choice if your primary concern is heavy mineral scale
Best for: Busy households that want to incorporate dishwasher cleaning into normal dishwashing.
CTA: [Check Finish cleaning tabs]
Affresh vs. Finish: Which Dishwasher Cleaner Is Better?
The right choice depends on the type of buildup you’re trying to remove.
| Feature | Affresh | Finish Liquid | Finish In-Wash Tabs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Grease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Limescale/minerals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Convenience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Empty cycle required | No* | Yes | No |
| Tablet format | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best use | Regular maintenance | Deep cleaning | Convenient maintenance |
*Affresh’s manufacturer says its tablet can be used with or without dishes, although you should always follow your dishwasher manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
What to Look for in the Best Dishwasher Cleaner
1. Choose the right format
Dishwasher cleaners are available as tablets, pods, liquids, powders and single-use pouches. Performance can be broadly similar between formats, so convenience is an important deciding factor.
Tablets: Best for convenience and routine maintenance.
Liquid: Useful when you want a dedicated deep-cleaning cycle.
Powder: Often attractive if you prioritize flexibility or lower cost per use.
2. Consider hard-water buildup
If you regularly see white film or mineral deposits on your dishwasher interior or glassware, choose a cleaner specifically formulated to tackle limescale.
Affresh specifically states that its cleaner helps remove limescale and mineral deposits, while Finish’s liquid cleaner is designed to tackle both hidden grease and limescale.
3. Check the cleaning instructions
Don’t assume every dishwasher cleaner works the same way.
For example, Finish’s liquid cleaner requires an empty dishwasher and the hottest suitable cycle, while its In-Wash tabs are placed in the main detergent cup during a regular cycle.
Always check your dishwasher manufacturer’s instructions before using a cleaning product.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher?
For routine maintenance, about once a month is a practical starting point. Affresh specifically recommends monthly use, while heavily soiled machines may need additional cleaning cycles.
You may want to clean it sooner if you notice:
- A persistent unpleasant smell
- Cloudy or spotty glassware
- Greasy residue inside the tub
- Visible mineral buildup
- Food debris around the filter or drain
- Dishes that aren’t coming out as clean as they used to
A dishwasher cleaner isn’t a replacement for physically cleaning the filter and wiping accessible areas. Recent cleaning guidance also recommends regular filter cleaning and periodic descaling for dishwasher maintenance.
Can You Use Vinegar Instead of Dishwasher Cleaner?
Vinegar is sometimes suggested as a DIY dishwasher-cleaning solution, but a commercial dishwasher cleaner is generally the simpler option when you want a product specifically formulated for the appliance.
Most importantly, check your dishwasher manufacturer’s instructions first. Appliance manufacturers can have specific recommendations about cleaning agents, and using an unsuitable product may potentially damage components.
Our Verdict: What Is the Best Dishwasher Cleaner?
For most people, we’d buy Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets. They’re easy to use, designed for monthly maintenance, and specifically target odors, limescale and mineral buildup.
If your priority is heavy grease and limescale, choose Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid. If convenience is everything and you want to clean your dishwasher during a normal wash, Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs are an excellent alternative.
Ready to buy?
🏆 Best overall: Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets
🧽 Best deep clean: Finish Dishwasher Cleaner Liquid
⚡ Best convenience: Finish In-Wash Dishwasher Cleaning Tabs
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