No, you shouldn’t. Affresh sells separate cleaners for washing machines and dishwashers, and the maker says that for best results you should use the product designed for that specific appliance. The washer tablets are formulated for detergent and fabric-softener buildup, while the dishwasher tablets are formulated for food residue and mineral scale. Use Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner (or another dishwasher cleaner) in your dishwasher.
Read More: Glisten vs Finish Dishwasher Cleaner: Which Wins?
Why People Ask This
Affresh’s washer and dishwasher tablets look similar, come in similar packaging, and are made by the same brand. If you have a box of washer tablets on the shelf and a dishwasher that smells, it’s natural to wonder whether one product will do both jobs. The short version is that the brand designs them as two different products for two different problems.
What the Manufacturer Says
Affresh’s own guidance on its ingredients page says that for best results you should use the Affresh product designed for that specific appliance. It also explains why: a washing machine doesn’t deal with food debris buildup, for example, so each appliance gets a different residue. Nothing on that page says one cleaner can stand in for the other.
A review of both products on Reviewed reaches the same conclusion: Affresh comes in two formulations, one for dishwashers and one for washers, and they should not be interchanged.
How the Two Formulas Differ
According to the ingredient information on Affresh’s site, the two tablets are built differently:
| Washing machine tablets | Dishwasher tablets | |
| Main active ingredients | Sodium percarbonate (oxygen-based bleach) and sodium carbonate (washing soda) | Sodium carbonate and sodium bisulfate (a descaler) |
| Other ingredients listed | Polyethylene glycol, glucono-delta-lactone, sodium acetate, time-release ingredients, fragrance | Citric acid, polyethylene glycol, sodium benzoate, sodium gluconate, sodium polyacrylate co-polymer, sodium acetate |
| Designed to remove | Detergent and fabric-softener residue, odour-causing buildup | Food residue, grease and mineral scale |
| Where it goes | Dropped into an empty washer drum | In the dishwasher’s detergent dispenser or tub |
What this means: the washer tablet leans on an oxygen-based bleach, while the dishwasher tablet leans on a descaler and citric acid. They’re solving different problems, so one can’t be assumed to work safely or well in the other.
What Could Go Wrong If You Try It?
There are no manufacturer instructions for using the washer tablet in a dishwasher, and no reliable testing we could find, so the risks below are cautions rather than proven outcomes:
- It may not clean well. The washer formula isn’t built for grease, food residue, or the hard-water scale a dishwasher accumulates.
- Residue on dishes. One home-appliance site, Home Gear Geek, warns that the product may not rinse away fully, and it also raises possible suds and corrosion issues. That article contradicts itself elsewhere (its FAQ says yes), so treat these as unverified warnings.
- Handling concerns. The Reviewed article notes that the washer tablets contain boric acid, which the author says might be a health and safety concern, and recommends careful handling and following the package directions.
- Warranty and guidance. Using a product in a way the maker doesn’t recommend can make troubleshooting harder if something goes wrong.
The safe approach is simply not to try it.
What to Use Instead in Your Dishwasher
| Option | Best for | Notes |
| Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner tablets | Odours, grease, mineral buildup | Made for this appliance; follow the pack instructions |
| Another dishwasher cleaner (liquid or tablet) | Monthly maintenance | Look for one labelled for dishwashers |
| White vinegar on the top rack | Light odours and light scale | A common home alternative; don’t combine with another cleaner in the same cycle |
| Baking soda | Freshening | Mild; won’t tackle heavy buildup |
How to use a dishwasher cleaner, in short: empty the dishwasher, add the cleaner as the label directs, run the hottest cycle, and repeat about once a month. If you have an Affresh dishwasher tablet, Whirlpool’s instructions explain where to place it.
What About the Reverse: Dishwasher Cleaner in a Washer?
The same rule applies. The two products are made for different residues, so use Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in your washer and Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner in your dishwasher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use Affresh washing machine cleaner in a dishwasher?
No. Affresh makes separate formulas, and the brand advises using the product designed for each appliance.
What happens if you put an Affresh washer tablet in a dishwasher?
There’s no manufacturer guidance for it. It may not clean food residue and grease well, and it could leave residue or cause other problems, so it isn’t worth the risk.
Is Affresh dishwasher cleaner the same as Affresh washing machine cleaner?
No. Their ingredient lists differ. The washer tablet uses sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate, while the dishwasher tablet uses sodium carbonate, sodium bisulfate, and citric acid.
Can I use Affresh dishwasher cleaner in my washing machine?
It isn’t recommended for the same reason. Use the washer product in the washer.
What is Affresh washing machine cleaner made for?
Cleaning detergent and fabric-softener residue and odours from inside a washing machine drum.
What can I use instead if I’m out of dishwasher cleaner?
Run a cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack for light odours or scale, and buy a proper dishwasher cleaner for deeper cleaning.
Can I mix vinegar and a dishwasher cleaner?
Don’t combine them in the same cycle. Use one product at a time and follow its label.
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
About once a month for most households.
Is Affresh washer cleaner safe to handle?
Follow the package directions and handle it carefully. One reviewer notes the washer tablets contain boric acid.
Conclusion
Affresh washing machine cleaner is made for washers, not dishwashers, and the brand says to use the product designed for each appliance. The formulas differ because the messes differ: detergent buildup in a washer, food residue and scale in a dishwasher. Skip the shortcut and use a dishwasher-specific cleaner, either Affresh’s own dishwasher tablets or another dishwasher cleaner, every month. If you’re short on cleaner, white vinegar is a gentler short-term fix.